lobo9er
Member
How are the new Ruger Mini 30's? Accuracy mainly, are they better than the older ones? Always remember them having issues. Was that rumor deserved?
New Mini 30's
- Thread starter lobo9er
- Start date
The new Mini-30s are decent 7.62x39 carbines. The old ones were too. Accuracy has never been a problem. I shoot 1.75" inch groups @ 100 yards with improvised rest. Sometimes a little better than that. I never have shot MOA with my Mini-30, but I know quite a few people who have. On a bad day I shoot a hair under 2" 5-shot groups. Never over 2".
I have a 189 Series made in 1989. If I could only keep one gun I would keep my Mini-30.
About every gun of any type can use time to break in and some fine tuning as well. The Mini-30 is no different. It works well right out of the box, but it can work even better with a little TLC.
One issue many people report is that the firing pin protrusion is too short to ignite Berdan primed steel case ammo. I never had that problem. I've had only a handful of FTFs in more than 30 years, and a couple of those were Boxer primed brass case.
My factory firing pin was on the long side of the range as they come from the factory. I replaced my firing pin anyway with a longer one made by firingpins.com a few years ago just to be on the safe side.
Like any firearm there are mods, tweaks, tips and accessories to optimize the Mini-30. I've done a few mods... trigger job for lighter smoother pull, reduced gas bushing, and the aforementioned firing pin.
Love my old Mini-30. It never fails. I plan to add a newer series stainless Mini-30 Tactical when I find one at a reasonable price.
I have a 189 Series made in 1989. If I could only keep one gun I would keep my Mini-30.
About every gun of any type can use time to break in and some fine tuning as well. The Mini-30 is no different. It works well right out of the box, but it can work even better with a little TLC.
One issue many people report is that the firing pin protrusion is too short to ignite Berdan primed steel case ammo. I never had that problem. I've had only a handful of FTFs in more than 30 years, and a couple of those were Boxer primed brass case.
My factory firing pin was on the long side of the range as they come from the factory. I replaced my firing pin anyway with a longer one made by firingpins.com a few years ago just to be on the safe side.
Like any firearm there are mods, tweaks, tips and accessories to optimize the Mini-30. I've done a few mods... trigger job for lighter smoother pull, reduced gas bushing, and the aforementioned firing pin.
Love my old Mini-30. It never fails. I plan to add a newer series stainless Mini-30 Tactical when I find one at a reasonable price.
Crosshair
Member
The accuracy issues for the 30 were mostly due to people expecting match grade accuracy from steel case bulk ammo.
OP
OP
lobo9er
Member
thank you for the replies guys. Appreciate you guys taking the time.
halfmoonclip
Member
- Joined
- Feb 4, 2011
- Messages
- 2,805
Had an "A-team" stainless folding stock version some years ago, and even reloaded for it.
Accuracy, with iron sights, was okay. Never expected it to be a bench gun.
Bill Ruger's self righteous 'guns for honest citizens' 10 round nonsense, and aftermarket magazines, finally sent me to the AR platform. My recollection was that it ran well, aftermarket magazines and my reloads notwithstanding.
If you prefer their old style rifle persona to the AR, no reason you shouldn't have one.
Moon
Accuracy, with iron sights, was okay. Never expected it to be a bench gun.
Bill Ruger's self righteous 'guns for honest citizens' 10 round nonsense, and aftermarket magazines, finally sent me to the AR platform. My recollection was that it ran well, aftermarket magazines and my reloads notwithstanding.
If you prefer their old style rifle persona to the AR, no reason you shouldn't have one.
Moon
I have 2 Mini 30’s:
This one, a late model Mini 30 Tactical in stainless steel:
And this one, a 197 series Mini 30 Ranch Rifle:
Both are accurate enough for hunting at moderate ranges and neither has ever stuttered using Russian steel cased ammo.
Where I have run into problems with mine is that they each destroy scopes at the cyclic rate.
That gigantic op rod clanging forward beats optics unmercifully and haven’t had one last on either rifle for more than a hundred rounds.
Iron sighted accuracy is very good, slap a scope on either and they shoot somewhat “wild”.
This one, a late model Mini 30 Tactical in stainless steel:
And this one, a 197 series Mini 30 Ranch Rifle:
Both are accurate enough for hunting at moderate ranges and neither has ever stuttered using Russian steel cased ammo.
Where I have run into problems with mine is that they each destroy scopes at the cyclic rate.
That gigantic op rod clanging forward beats optics unmercifully and haven’t had one last on either rifle for more than a hundred rounds.
Iron sighted accuracy is very good, slap a scope on either and they shoot somewhat “wild”.
FL-NC
Member
My older one I had around 2000 time frame was terrible.
dh1633pm
Contributing Member
Mine is accurate enough. Scope has lasted through it's punishment. A CMR 1-4. I had a problem with military ammo. Bang, click, bang, bang, click. Ruger wanted me to send the whole rifle to them for corrective action. I sent the bolt to ASI and they fitted a slightly longer firing pin. Now it goes bang, bang, bang with any ammo I throw it's way. The stock comb is a little low for a good check weld. I wrapped the stock to adjust it for me. I don't think it will ever be a sub moa rifle. To be honest, that is outside it's design model. It is more accurate than my Mini14 pencil barrel.
Although my mini 6.8 that I sent to ASI for the full treatment is much more accurate. But expensive.
Although my mini 6.8 that I sent to ASI for the full treatment is much more accurate. But expensive.
gunmechanic
Member
My mini 30 ranch shoots decent enough for hunting duty 2" groups open sights ,with it scoped its better 1.5+/-.I do love the ruger mini series rifles ,i purchased mine new in 1986 it was the first new gun i ever purchased when i turned 18.I have acquired several mini 14s over the years .The last one i purchased A late model mini 14 ranch 223 shoots better than the older ones i have. They are reported to have improved the gun for better accuracy .I would not shy away from owning one at all.
robin banks
member
- Joined
- May 15, 2022
- Messages
- 333
but...but....modern scopes are almost indestructible more durable the iron sites. M-14 has the same operating rod bigger and using a more powerful round but I never hear of those ruining scopes
robin banks
member
- Joined
- May 15, 2022
- Messages
- 333
I laugh when I hear the age old Mini 14 has a pencil barrel. the barrel is almost exactly the same diameter as the M-14 and garand but the mini has a 22 hole not 30 so there is more steel around it
bihj
Member
Granted mine was an older version, it was also the reason I no longer do any business involving Ruger.
dh1633pm
Contributing Member
You are so right! It is funny. Mentioned it since the non pencil barrel ones seem to be more accurate.
Gordon
Member
My series 180 5.56 was good to me, reliable but 2" gun , from new in late 70s to about 1988 when I got tired of the Magazine situation , sold it and moved back into AR rifles .
As the OP said... MINI 30...
We can't judge the Mini-30 based on the Mini-14 in 5.56/223, or vice versa. However, there is one thing even more annoying. There is at least one person out there in gun forum land that thinks he's an expert on the Mini-30 because he has an SKS. Ouch!
Before I bought my Mini-30 in the late 80s I borrowed a friend's Mini-14 for a while and was initially thinking of getting the 14. Once I auditioned a Mini-30 that was it. I bought a brand new Mini-30 and never looked back. I never did buy a Mini-14 and I don't plan to. I'll be getting a second Mini-30 at some point.
We can't judge the Mini-30 based on the Mini-14 in 5.56/223, or vice versa. However, there is one thing even more annoying. There is at least one person out there in gun forum land that thinks he's an expert on the Mini-30 because he has an SKS. Ouch!
Before I bought my Mini-30 in the late 80s I borrowed a friend's Mini-14 for a while and was initially thinking of getting the 14. Once I auditioned a Mini-30 that was it. I bought a brand new Mini-30 and never looked back. I never did buy a Mini-14 and I don't plan to. I'll be getting a second Mini-30 at some point.
That sounds like RiBob. Ouch indeed!
Good to see you here Beck !! I am 40nascar on some other forums, but someone else here has that moniker.
I have to agree with Beck on most of these experiences and tips. Here is where we diverge a little:
Every mini 30 that I purchased brand new had problems choking on steel case ammo. That includes 189 series, and 580+ prefix series.
I currently have a SS 584 series that I replaced the pin for the one from firingpins.com. It works with all steel case and brass case ammo. Even shoots good with that commie Tula ammo. So now, this is my shtf go to rifle. I put this action into an older modified wood mini 14 stock, with the curve in the butt. I also installed a stainless steel butt pad from Numrich. I put 1911 style buffers in all my minis, and this one was No exception. I only put a buffer on the receiver side of my mini's as it seems that also putting one on the gas pipe side gets chewed up so fast that I question it's usefulness. I also installed a choate handguard to improve barrel cooling, and lose some weight. On my mini 30's, I do not change the gas bushing. In my experience, I find that the mini 30 is not so over-gassed as the mini 14 is. In a nod to reliability, the factory gas bushing stays. For an Optic, this mini gets a fixed standard 4x scope on the factory Ruger 1 inch rings. At the age of my eyes, I have to have a scope. Others may not need one. The last Mod I have on this mini, is a trigger smoothing job by my competent local gunsmith. I only had him smooth the trigger, not lighten it. Again a nod to reliability. This is still about a 5.0 to 5.5 lb trigger pull. To finish off this mini, I have a surplus military silent sling on it. I am very happy with how this mini is working out for me. It weighs in at just a hair over 8.0 lbs. With the scope installed, and an empty 10 rnd Ruger magazine. To sum up, I set this mini 30 up to be my utterly reliable, shtf , run for the hills gun. This mini is not setup for ultimate accuracy, but ultimate reliability. This particular Mini 30 is set up as my fighting gun. I will post again about my home defense and hunting specific Blue mini 30.
I always wondered what the deal was with the expectation of accuracy from a Mini-anything? On the A Team they were always spraying the bad guys with a pistol grip Mini of some sort and I never saw them actually hit anyone. I thought they purposely chose the Mini so as to assuredly miss. And folks get all flat headed at Ruger because it is not MOA or even in the same universe as MOA. Did anyone expect different? I know the newest ones are much improved but still 
. Do not get angry with Ruger, the Mini did not come with any MOA guarantee of accuracy or even any guarantee of accuracy .
. Do not get angry with Ruger, the Mini did not come with any MOA guarantee of accuracy or even any guarantee of accuracy .
I find the whole issue about accuracy a bit ridiculous. Granted, there are some bad examples out there, mainly older Mini 14:s, but if the typical accuracy of 2-3" or so at 100yd for a small carbine really isn't enough, a few easy fixes can bring it to another level. They're caused mainly by QC issues at the factory; improperly torqued gas block screws, uneven mating surfaces, rough barrel finish and so on. Even misfires with hard primer surplus ammo is a known problem and takes all of three minutes to address - firing pin holes often have a ring of flash from poor drilling (check the primers of fired casings for imprints), which can be removed with a slightly larger diameter drill bit by hand.
And so on and so on. There are quite a few simple $0-5 tricks to make a Mini 30 into a very decent shooter. I feel very comfortable shooting mine to 200yd, maybe 250 on a good day, with quality hunting ammo like Sako, S&B or reloads. No confidence issues whatsoever and I have maybe $15 and a couple of hours of my own basic gunsmithing work invested in it. It's wonderful, one of my favorite deer rifles.
Now I need another in .450BM or .458Socom. For moose.
And so on and so on. There are quite a few simple $0-5 tricks to make a Mini 30 into a very decent shooter. I feel very comfortable shooting mine to 200yd, maybe 250 on a good day, with quality hunting ammo like Sako, S&B or reloads. No confidence issues whatsoever and I have maybe $15 and a couple of hours of my own basic gunsmithing work invested in it. It's wonderful, one of my favorite deer rifles.
Now I need another in .450BM or .458Socom. For moose.
wbm
Member
Accuracy has always been a problem.
https://www.rugerforum.net/threads/mini-30-accuracy.78789/
https://www.rugerforum.net/threads/mini-30-accuracy.78789/
illinoisburt
Member
Last I checked TV shows and movies pick their props based on looks (and sometimes cost). Unfortunately scripted entertainment and video games have huge influence on many people's perspective. I hate to be the bearer of bad news but they ain't reality.
I love my mini 30. That said, you are right that the mini 30 is well known to have issues. The fact that they leave the factory in a condition where they cannot reliably fire the most common ammo in 7.62 x 39 is inexcusable to me. If firingpins.com can make the correct part that works, why can't Ruger?
If Ruger can make their American Ranch Bolt action in 7.62x 39 reliably fire, there is absolutely No excuse for them not to make the Mini 30 reliable with the same ammo.
Not everyone that owns and enjoys firearms is a good amateur gunsmith, or good with tools. I can understand that alot of gun owners like to tinker and customize their firearms, but there is an expectation that the firearm should at least function properly when purchased New In the Box.
Ruger seems to not have a reliability problem with their .223/5.56 mini 14 right out of the box. It should be the same for their mini 30. Ruger uses the same firing pin for both, but 7.62 ammo requires a longer firing pin protrusion than .223/5.56 ammo does. They (Ruger) need to stop making excuses, and just make the right dimension firing pin for their mini 30.
The only specialist tool required for bringing a Mini up to par is in-lb torque wrench. Other than that, it's easy, straightforward and doable with the bare minimum of common household tools. Hand lapping the barrel for an even higher level of accuracy necessitates a lead casting furnace, but many reloaders already have one and in a pinch it can be substituted with a simple casting spoon.
Usually there's no need to replace the firing pin. Like I mentioned earlier, drilling flash around the firing pin hole is more of a rule than an exception and can be removed with a loose drill bit easily. Mine FTF'd cheap surplus ammo like many others, after the mod it hasn't done that once. Barnaul, KOPP, SM, no-name combloc surplus; you name it, it'll shoot it now.
It all boils down to bad quality control and sloppy workmanship at the factory. There's a great gun underneath all that neglect and it's ridiculously easy to fix most/all of the issues if you're even the slightest bit mechanically inclined or bother to learn the basics of DIY gunsmithing. There's nothing to it, really. Of course Ruger should have paid more attention to QC but they haven't, so it's up to the owner now.
Thanks, but not even that - I'm not a gunsmith by any measure. Just a quick learner if anything, and decided that it's much smarter to do something about it than just complain that Ruger hasn't. It was easy and the results were nothing short of spectacular. Too bad Minis have become a bit of cult/lifestyle rifles lately as a counter reaction to black guns flooding the market. Otherwise many of the owners complaining about the rifles they hate (instead of fixing them) could be persuaded to part with theirs for pocket change.
In real world shooting situations, ie. offhand and on sticks or makeshift support they'll outperform any shooter by a good margin, so occasional complaints about their limited (yet very reasonable and improvable) mechanical accuracy off a concrete bench on a calm, sunny day isn't worth squat in my book. Then again, that's just me being brutally practical; YMMV.
