My NEW Ruger Tac-30

[deadduck357]

Burris sent me their FullField II Tactical (2-7x35mm) for range testing with the Ruger Mini-30 Tactical. I figured 2x would be good for close-in work and 7x at extended ranges.

FFII TAC includes the TAC II knobs. Nice definite clicks when adjusting.

The FFII TAC also features the Ballistic Plex reticle, a bullet drop compensated type.

Also included is a BDC chart and stickers for numerous popular cartridges.

Here is my attempt to capture the Ballistic Plex reticle looking through the scope. My poor attempt is not indicative of the clarity of the glass.

Burris FFII TAC mounted on the Mini-30 Tactical with supplied Ruger rings.

The supplied scope rings sit a little higher than I prefer. However, the glass on the scope is clear and provides a crisp image. I like this Ballistic Plex reticle, it's simple and not cluttered.

 

[deadduck357]

100 yard test

Temperature was 78 degrees. Three round groups as I did not have enough ammo left for 5rd groups. As I'm cheap, I used the same target for the scope sighting in and the 100-yd test, hence the white pasters.

Center group is Remington UMC 123gr FMJ - 2.474 in.

Winchester 123gr FMJ - 1.787 in.

DoubleTap 123gr Rifle Defense - 1.2445 in.

BVAC 123gr V-MAX - 1.755 in.

One of the tighter groups of the day. DoubleTap 123gr Barnes Triple Shock X - 0.953 in.

The tightest group of the day. BVAC 123gr V-MAX - 0.801 in.

Final impression is that the Ruger Mini-30 Tactical delivers best results with BVAC and DoubleTap. Both brands consistently produced tighter groups than ammunition from the larger manufacturers. During testing no malfunctions of any type were encountered. Overall I'm very pleased with the performance of this rifle, but I wouldn't complain if Ruger supplied an additional magazine. I think this is a positive addition to the Ruger Mini family of rifles.

 

[deadduck357]

deadduck, just wondering, what does it take to get someone like Ruger to send you a rifle to test out, are you a sportswriter, gunsmith, just wondering...

Not really sure how you could go about it, maybe write, call or e-mail them I guess I just got lucky, Ruger asked me if I would like to T&E their firearms as a gun-writer.

 

[MTMilitiaman]

Interesting...an MOA Ranch Rifle from what is regarded by some to be an inherently inaccurate cartridge. I've always thought that was bunk, but it would be nice to see what the rifle did with some Wolf MC 124 gr JHP. Regardless, it is cool that Ruger is putting out some decent Minis now days. Both the pre-Ranch Mini and my uncle's Ranch Rifle have been sleepers in the accuracy department.

 

[sansone]

thanks for the fine review.. but darn it, I can't buy any more guns and expect my wife to bank her paychecks

 

[Dave Markowitz]

Very nice review.

I, too, would be interested in seeing how it does with more common 7.62x39 ammo like Wolf or Brown Bear.

 

[MistWolf]

However, the mini thirty looks cool if you don't already have an SKS. Does it still have the same diameter problems of the older guns .308 vs .311?

You do realize that using a 308 bore for the 7.62x39 is NOT a problem

 

[Maverick223]

You do realize that using a 308 bore for the 7.62x39 is NOT a problem

It may not cause problems but it is said to have negative effects with respect to accuracy. I haven't any experience with both diameters in the same platform (and of equal quality) so I can't confirm or deny the claim. It does cause a slight increase in pressure, but I don't believe this to be a problem unless you are loading particularly hot, in which case you can just use .308cal projectiles instead.

deadduck357, can you disclose the magazine (or electronic periodical, et cetera) that you write for; I wouldn't mind taking a look at your complete article.

 

[deadduck357]

deadduck357 I wouldn't mind taking a look at your complete article.

Good lord Mav, what else, barrel HRC ?

 

[MistWolf]

It is SAID to reduce accuracy. I've never seen any proof. Past accuracy problems in Rugers have been traced to using bad barrels including their M77. PO Ackley did tests shooting 8mm (.323) bullets through a .308 bore with no signs of increased pressures. The key was sizing the throat properly.

Shooting a .310 bullet through a .308 barrel won't raise pressures any more than going from a 1:9 twist to a 1:7 twist in an AR

 

[Dr.Rob]

That Barnes group was impressive enough, the Vmax load even better.

That right there perked my interest.
Be nice to see what kind of accuracy you are getting with irons and 10-20 shot strings (the sort of thing one might do in 3-gun) to see how that barrel takes the heat. Planning on doing any more shooting with it?

 

[Maverick223]

Good lord Mav, what else, barrel HRC?

That would be great, do you also know what foundry the steel came from? I understand if you can't (or just don't want to) disclose the periodical that you write for, just thought it would be an interesting read.

 

[deadduck357]

Planning on doing any more shooting with it?

I depleted the quality ammo, I will run some cheap steel cased through it to see how it performs, but am not expecting that stuff to rival the accuracy of the Double Tap and BVAC brass cased ammo.

 

[deadduck357]

I understand if you can't (or just don't want to) disclose the periodical that you write for, just thought it would be an interesting read.

This is it. I just dabble a little on the gun forums.

 

[jeepguy]

i love the mini series of rifles, the only thing i don't like about the mini 30 is they have had alot of firing pin breaks with steel ammo. i wish you would have had some wolf to see how the firing pin holds up.

 

[briansmithwins]

an MOA Ranch Rifle

Three round groups does not a 1MOA rifle make...

BSW

 

[Maverick223]

This is it. I just dabble a little on the gun forums.

Wow, I guess I need to pimp myself out a bit more.

 

[deadduck357]

Wow, I guess I need to pimp myself out a bit more.

I believe I just got lucky

 

[Maverick223]

That you did. Thanks again for the review.

 

[boricua9mm]

Three round groups does not a 1MOA rifle make...

BSW

Amen. Take the 3-shot groups for what they're worth.

 

[MTMilitiaman]

Three round groups does not a 1MOA rifle make...

Maybe not. But try to get 3 rounds from my dad's Mini into anything resembling a group like that. I still say 3 rounds into anything close to MOA counts for a Mini. Maybe not for a real rifle, but for a Mini, I'll take it.

 

[Maverick223]

A review with 3 rnd. groups may not be ideal, but it is better than a review with no groups at all, and I didn't fund the ammunition expenditure for this little experiment so i'll not complain. BTW: I too would like to see a few groups with Barnaul (any of the three little Bears, or any other Barnaul) and some Wolf if you have the chance.

 

[Hammerhead6814]

Quality ammo means quality groups. However the AK variants I own do not shoot that well with quality ammo like doubltap barnes triple shock. I ran a box through my Saiga and the best I did with a scope was 2 1/2 inches at 100 yards (and I'm rounding down).

I wonder how the Tac-30 as were calling it now would do with Wolf or Brown Bear? Lets see how the ruskies steel-case ammo does.

 

[deadduck357]

A review with 3 rnd. groups may not be ideal, but it is better than a review with no groups at all, and I didn't fund the ammunition expenditure for this little experiment so i'll not complain. BTW: I too would like to see a few groups with Barnaul (any of the three little Bears, or any other Barnaul) and some Wolf if you have the chance.

Thank you. I did plan on shooting 5 round groups until I wasted to much ammo sighting the scope. My fault.

Post #38

 

[Maverick223]

Oops missed that.