Ruger Mini 14 Effective hunting range on Deer?

[bushrats]

I would think the mini14 would be much lighter and easier to carry in the field hunting deer than the AR15 would. 200-300 yard shots, would the mini14 be effective for deer?

 

[Carolina Kalash]

I wouldn't use a Mini at that range. They don't have a great reputation for being a tack driver, for distances that long, I'd rather have and AR, and these days a NIB or even a gently used mini goes for almost as much if not more than a number of decent ARs. If it were me, I'd stick to larger caliber bolt actions. I know any deer can be killed with any gun if your shot placement is just right, but you'll never see me in the woods with a .223 unless I'm going after yotes. If I ever do own a Mini, it'll be a plinker and nothing more.

 

[TexasPatriot.308]

depends on how good a shot you are, if you have military training....a 100 yard shot or more is very doable. I kill hogs daily with my mini 14 tactical at way past 100 yard shots....you just gotta know what you are doing....my pastures are full of hogs I use my mini 14 and even a .17 hmr for those vermin daily....I know I am a good shot and confident....just depends how confident you are.

 

[Mosin Bubba]

I certainly wouldn't use a 223 for deer at 200 yards. Step up to a full-sized rifle cartridge for that.

 

[plodder]

Your Mini 14 must be much more accurate than mine was (it now has a new happy owner). I would never have considered a 300 yard shot with it.

 

[Ridgerunner665]

Not all mini 14's are created equal...some of the newer ones are more accurate than the originals, but they're still not as accurate as an AR can be...mini 14's were not designed with accuracy in mind.

I had one of the original mini 14's....darn thing wouldn't keep 10 shots on a pie plate at 100 yards...it did explain why nobody ever got shot when I watched "The A Team" as a kid....that rifle was a disappointment, I sold it and never looked back.

A 223 is fine for deer at 200 yards, as long as you use the right bullet, and put it where it needs to be...bonded 62 grains and heavier.

 

[dvdcrr]

200 yds at the most, and that has more to do with the mini than the 223 cartridge.

 

[rcmodel]

200 yds at the most, and that has more to do with the mini than the 223 cartridge.

I'd have to say that is backwards.

The .223 is not a 200 yard deer cartridge.

The Mini-14 certainly could be with optics, and in the Mini-30 version!

rc

 

[JTHunter]

Bushrats - you should also check your state's laws as some states require a minimum caliber (usu. .25 or larger).

Also, the others are spot on about the downrange performance of the 5.56/.223 ammo. It's fine on a groundhog or coyote at 150-200 yds. IF it accurate enough to hit a 3-4" plate at that range.

For deer-sized game, I wouldn't try it beyond 100 yds. Those bullets are just too light and don't have the kinetic energy for decent knockdown.

 

[cowpoke]

i have never killed a deer with my mini 14 , i have killed many hogs some up to 300 or more lbs out to 100 yds . some DRT some needed tracking.

 

[Art Eatman]

Remember that when hunting, group size is much less important than having the first shot or two reliably having the point of impact being at the point of aim. Me, I've been quite fortunate, that way, much to the detriment of coyotes and jackrabbits.

 

[MCgunner]

IMHO, the mini 30 is a much better deal.

I would think the mini14 would be much lighter and easier to carry in the field hunting deer than the AR15 would. 200-300 yard shots, would the mini14 be effective for deer?

You want light and handy? You cannot beat a .30-30 or .35 Remington lever gun like the old 94 Winchester or Marlin 336 for that. They're light, easy to carry, and time proven. Not real tacticool, but are you hunting deer or Jihadis?

I have a pretty handy SKS, heavier than a good lever gun and not quite as handy, but it works in the niche and set me back a whole 75 bucks back 20+ years ago. I've added a stock that fits and an ambidextrous safety and cut off the bayonet lug to help it be a better, handier field gun. I've killed a couple of deer with it including one 9 point 2 seasons ago.

 

[Madcap_Magician]

I would think the mini14 would be much lighter and easier to carry in the field hunting deer than the AR15 would. 200-300 yard shots, would the mini14 be effective for deer?

The Mini-14 and a stock AR-15 both weigh about 7.5 pounds, if I recall correctly. I am not sure why an AR-15 would be harder to carry. A lot of this would depend on whether your personal Mini-14 was A. legal in your state for deer, and B. accurate enough at the distance you want to shoot. Mini-14s have a history of not being hugely accurate, but recent production has gotten better, and deer hunting doesn't require F-class precision, either.

As others have said, a Mini-30 or an AR-15 in 6.8mm SPC or some other .25-or-bigger caliber would be better.

 

[Art Eatman]

For me, the "easy carry" deal is that I've quite often carried my rifle one-handed at the balance point. Can't do that with my AR. I could carry a Mini that way, even with the factory 10-round mag.

 

[MCgunner]

Art hit the nail on the head. The military has these multi-point slings and such. Me, in the field, i like a gun I can wrap a hand around. Even slung muzzle down over my off shoulder, an AR will hang on me with the magazine or pistol grip and irritate the heck out of me. Slap a 5 round mag in a mini 14 and it's almost as good as a lever gun, almost....

 

[C.R.]

I think something bigger would be called for. Although you can kill deer with a .223 a 55 to 60 grain round isnt a whole lot of lead, so shot placement would have to be right on, you have no margin for error . When I see dudes out there deer hunting with Ar's I just shake my head and try not to laugh at them (too much) how tacticool do you have to be out deer hunting? I wouldnt go much less than a .243 myself.find a decent HUNTING rifle in an easy to find caliber,and you cant go wrong 30,06,.308,30/30 ,lots of good choices out there . I have a Mini 14 its a good gun,but not the proper tool for the job of harvesting deer,I.M.O.

 

[Madcap_Magician]

For me, the "easy carry" deal is that I've quite often carried my rifle one-handed at the balance point. Can't do that with my AR. I could carry a Mini that way, even with the factory 10-round mag.

Oh, that makes sense. Yeah, the "carry handle" on an AR is certainly more of a euphemism than an actually useful item.

I don't hunt, myself, and have never actually had cause to carry any long guns BUT an M4 or M249 around, so I suppose I'm just more or less inured to the problems of doing so.

 

[MCgunner]

Oh, that makes sense. Yeah, the "carry handle" on an AR is certainly more of a euphemism than an actually useful item.

I don't hunt, myself, and have never actually had cause to carry any long guns BUT an M4 or M249 around, so I suppose I'm just more or less inured to the problems of doing so.

A lever gun is much faster to the shoulder from the hand. You put it to the shoulder and your thumb pulls the hammer back as you bring it up and you're ready. For me, a lefty, the AR is not an option, even if it had a carry handle. Besides, unless you have some oddball round named after some mythical Nordic monster, the caliber is a bit small compared to the good ol' .30-30.

 

[Art Eatman]

"Back in the day" of the iron-sighted "Rifleman's Rifle", two MOA was stated in many gunzines to be plenty good for Bambi. We're pickier, now. Regardless, the issue is less of the Mini and more of the .223 as a Bambi-getter at 200 or 300 yards.

Me, personally, I'd sorta limit a .223 to around 100 or maybe 150 yards. Call it "general principles". No big deal; I'm just sorta conservative on that...

 

[jmr40]

I would think the mini14 would be much lighter and easier to carry in the field hunting deer than the AR15 would.

My AR's are lighter than the Mini14 and easier to scope too.

With almost all hunting weapons our effective range is usually limited to the range we are able to hit the game. A 223 round is one of the exceptions. I have no more problem suggesting a 223 for hunting than I would a bow, handgun, muzzle loader, or shotgun slug. But just as those have limited effective ranges, so does a 223.

While it is possible to hit a deer at 300-400 yards with a 223, I'd personally limit my range to about 150 yards for most deer, and probably 100 if hunting some of the really big boys.

 

[Skyshot]

The grandkids have taken deer with both my AR and my Mini-14. I won't let them take a shot longer than 100 yards at a mature whitetail (150+ lbs.). I'm not confident the .223 can anchor a large whitetail at that distance. I would prefer not to loose a nice animal. But, if that's all you have, it will work, you just better make a perfect hit every time.

 

[loose noose]

I just respect deer, and larger creatures (elk etc.) too much to take a chance on wounding them by using an inferior caliber such as a .223/5.56. It is a battle rifle simple as that, fine for coyotes, and feral hogs, but at least if you're serious about deer hunting, and you want a light carbine, by all means get yourself a 30-30, and keep your shots within 200 yards. No way would I recommend a .223 for deer of any size.

 

[Art Eatman]

"No way would I recommend a .223 for deer of any size."

Sounds like you haven't kept up with the R&D of bullet manufacturers, these last dozen years or so. Different world, now.

 

[Ray_Garris]

Why you would not use a 223 on deer because it is not ethical is baffling to me since all I military think it is ethical enough on humans!!!!

 

[sfed]

Not all AR`s are in the 223 class, it may look like a plain AR but I have an upper in 6.5 Grendel that in my opinion is a capable 200 yard deer rifle. I am sure that there are other AR`s in the deer woods that have very capable calibers sitting atop the lower. Just looking though it is hard to tell just what is in the chamber of the AR.

Edited to add, I also think 223 is not a humane deer caliber, it goes against the grain to use underpowered calibers to take deer size game. I just think it is unethical to use the 223 caliber for deer.