Also, the 7615, Remington's tactical reworking of their venerable pump hunting rifles. Controls are similar to an 870. Also takes AR mags.
http://www.remingtonle.com/rifles/7615.htm
http://www.remingtonle.com/rifles/7615.htm
ruger mini-14
- Thread starter landisbrad
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armoredman
Member
Asked about that one on Evan's board, consensus was the 7615 works poorly. Too bad, I was mildly interested in it.
benEzra
Moderator Emeritus
Armalite AR-180B, comparable in price to a mini-14, uses AR magazines:
http://www.armalite.com/ItemForm.as...Category=0406c9ff-539d-4b4c-ae1f-d045b91324c3
http://www.gunblast.com/AR-180B.htm
Kel-Tec SU-16 (SU-16C shown), comparable in price to mini-14, uses AR magazines:
http://www.kel-tec-cnc.com/su16c.html
Saiga in .223 (way cheaper than mini-14):
AK in .223 (cheaper than or comparable to mini-14 price, depending on model); SAR-3 shown, but newer models are available. A .223 Saiga can be converted to this configuration as well.
http://www.armalite.com/ItemForm.as...Category=0406c9ff-539d-4b4c-ae1f-d045b91324c3
http://www.gunblast.com/AR-180B.htm
Kel-Tec SU-16 (SU-16C shown), comparable in price to mini-14, uses AR magazines:
http://www.kel-tec-cnc.com/su16c.html
Saiga in .223 (way cheaper than mini-14):
AK in .223 (cheaper than or comparable to mini-14 price, depending on model); SAR-3 shown, but newer models are available. A .223 Saiga can be converted to this configuration as well.
Wilson 17&26
Member
If the SU-16 wears out from normal use, Kel-Tec will rebuild it. The same basic gun is also available as a “pistol” (about $440 stripped in Texas or $500 with all the goodies)
gaweidert
Member
Mini-14
I used to own a Mini-14 Stainless steel Ranch rifle. I traded it towards a Garand. I still regret that decision. Not accurate in groups, but first shot was very accurate. What you want if you hunt with one. The very first shot with mine was an dead center bull at 50 yards while aiming at the 6 o'clock position of a 4" bull. That was out of the box. The rifle never failed me with any mags I used with it.
I have an SU-16A. Nice little rifle. Always goes bang. A bit tighter groups than a Mini-14. Easier to clean than an AR. When I got mine I ran 1,000 rounds of Wolf through it as a test. No malfunctions. About the only metal on the rifle is the barrel and bolt. Seems to work fine though
I have an AR-15 too. 20" HBAR 1/9 twist. Definitely the most accurate and expensive of the rifles. It has been reliable too but is the most maintenance intensive of the three.
I used to own a Mini-14 Stainless steel Ranch rifle. I traded it towards a Garand. I still regret that decision. Not accurate in groups, but first shot was very accurate. What you want if you hunt with one. The very first shot with mine was an dead center bull at 50 yards while aiming at the 6 o'clock position of a 4" bull. That was out of the box. The rifle never failed me with any mags I used with it.
I have an SU-16A. Nice little rifle. Always goes bang. A bit tighter groups than a Mini-14. Easier to clean than an AR. When I got mine I ran 1,000 rounds of Wolf through it as a test. No malfunctions. About the only metal on the rifle is the barrel and bolt. Seems to work fine though
I have an AR-15 too. 20" HBAR 1/9 twist. Definitely the most accurate and expensive of the rifles. It has been reliable too but is the most maintenance intensive of the three.
Anteater1717
Member
- Joined
- Jul 25, 2006
- Messages
- 586
"Asked about that one on Evan's board, consensus was the 7615 works poorly. Too bad, I was mildly interested in it." armoredman
My experiences with my 7615 have been completely contrary. It’s accurate (1-2moa), reliable (even with wolf), and the fit and finish is pretty good. To me it seems people who own them seem to like them. Most the complaints I hear are from people who don’t own one. The main complaint I hear is a stiff action, this however is not true (or at least for mine, and another one I handled). I did a range report not to long ago.
My experiences with my 7615 have been completely contrary. It’s accurate (1-2moa), reliable (even with wolf), and the fit and finish is pretty good. To me it seems people who own them seem to like them. Most the complaints I hear are from people who don’t own one. The main complaint I hear is a stiff action, this however is not true (or at least for mine, and another one I handled). I did a range report not to long ago.
jpwilly
Member
You'd be better off spending that money on an AK-47 if you don't care for accuracy and are wanting the best reliability you can get! If you want accuracy the AR-15 is better than the Ruger M14 and an AK but I've heard won't digest as much dirt as either. You can get any of them for under $700 - Up to you! 
Neo-Luddite
Member
The mini is a good rifle if you get a good deal on it. It won't drive tacks like an AR (well, most AR's). The older models are 100 yards guns--the new ones (they say) work well. Ruger also wants $$$ for them nowadays--when a bushmaster (ready to go) is 7-800 bucks.
was in gander mountian earlier today (wasting time before the range opened) the cheapist AR was the bushmaster m-4a1 @ 899 the price on the new mini was 699, compared to 549-599 for tha old model, if this one is more accurate it might be worth it if you just need a short range coyote-utiliity rifle. but if youre looking for high-cap medium range "battleready" carbine, AR is the better bet.
silverlance
Member
i paid 475 for my 580 series ruger. it isn't hard to find a good deal on ANY gun, let alone a ruger. there are tons of people who buy new guns, shoot them twice, then want to sell them.
just today i bought a sig p220 with 250 rounds down the barrel, damn near NIB, for about $400 once you discount all the add-ons that came with it. MSRP on that is about $900. MAP for most dealers here in CA would be 899$.
just hang out on the forums a lot. many members (including myself) deliberate set our sale prices low here on the forums, hoping that the gun will go to a good home and a fellow member.
kev
ps: i can easily hit bowling pins at 100 yards, every shot, no misses with my 580 series mini14. the ammo is wolf 55gr HP, copper jack lead core. magazine is ruger factory 1980s. rifle was bought used in a hogue stock. that's plenty accurate for me.
just today i bought a sig p220 with 250 rounds down the barrel, damn near NIB, for about $400 once you discount all the add-ons that came with it. MSRP on that is about $900. MAP for most dealers here in CA would be 899$.
just hang out on the forums a lot. many members (including myself) deliberate set our sale prices low here on the forums, hoping that the gun will go to a good home and a fellow member.
kev
ps: i can easily hit bowling pins at 100 yards, every shot, no misses with my 580 series mini14. the ammo is wolf 55gr HP, copper jack lead core. magazine is ruger factory 1980s. rifle was bought used in a hogue stock. that's plenty accurate for me.
Average Joe
Member
I sold mine, I got an M1A instead. Didn't like the .223 round.
. I do not feel bad about my choice.
armoredman
Member
Thanks, Anteater, I was wondering if anyone who owned one would speak up, good to know they do work.
Deaf Smith
Member
Question is, does the 7615 use a 5.56 chamber or a .223 chamber?
Same for the 7.62 model. Is it a Nato chamber or .308?
It does matter as to chamber pressures.
Same for the 7.62 model. Is it a Nato chamber or .308?
It does matter as to chamber pressures.
jaholder1971
Member
A buddy of mine and I got to play with one of the new Mini 14 target rifles a couple days ago with a couple hundred dollars worth of ammo. He picked up both at a show over the weekend.
1. Ruger may say MOA, it ain't. Best group of the day was 1.75" after playing with the damper. this was with Hornady TAP 60 grain. Even my handload 69 grainers, which I've yet to see an AR or bolt gun with a 1X9 twist shoot well, ran 3.5" best group after damper adjusted.
You put MOA anywhere on the rifle, it better do just that in my book.
2. I hate thumbhole stocks on factory rifles.
3. Trigger sucked, weighed 8lbs with my scale.
4. Damper shifted after extended shooting and required readjustment for accuracy upon changing ammo, even between same bullet weights but different manufacturers. I guess you could Locktite it but then you're stuck with one ammo choice.
This rifle made me appreciate my AR more and more as I shot it. I just simply wasn't impressed with this rifle. For a few (50-200) dollars more I can have an AR that is way more accurate out of the box, is much more friendlier to customizing, 3 times easier to maintain and the market is awash in parts.
There's plenty of folks who like Mini's. That's okay, but they're not for me. FWIW my buddy's keeping his mini but is also shopping for an AR.
I'd really like to hear from a 6.8SPC mini owner,though.
1. Ruger may say MOA, it ain't. Best group of the day was 1.75" after playing with the damper. this was with Hornady TAP 60 grain. Even my handload 69 grainers, which I've yet to see an AR or bolt gun with a 1X9 twist shoot well, ran 3.5" best group after damper adjusted.
You put MOA anywhere on the rifle, it better do just that in my book.
2. I hate thumbhole stocks on factory rifles.
3. Trigger sucked, weighed 8lbs with my scale.
4. Damper shifted after extended shooting and required readjustment for accuracy upon changing ammo, even between same bullet weights but different manufacturers. I guess you could Locktite it but then you're stuck with one ammo choice.
This rifle made me appreciate my AR more and more as I shot it. I just simply wasn't impressed with this rifle. For a few (50-200) dollars more I can have an AR that is way more accurate out of the box, is much more friendlier to customizing, 3 times easier to maintain and the market is awash in parts.
There's plenty of folks who like Mini's. That's okay, but they're not for me. FWIW my buddy's keeping his mini but is also shopping for an AR.
I'd really like to hear from a 6.8SPC mini owner,though.
glockman19
Member
- Joined
- Mar 16, 2007
- Messages
- 3,700
I like my mini-14. bought it because it came up as a named on HR 1022. The new mini's from the re-tooled machine shop are all very accurate with much heavier barrels than the older ones. Look for a mini-14 with a #580 serial number or later and you won't ahve any issues.
As far as chambering I only shoot .223 out of my mini-14 the 5.56 is for my AR's. The mini-14 is a working man's gun a real ranch rifle tough as nails and can shoot after falling off the back of your truck.
As far as chambering I only shoot .223 out of my mini-14 the 5.56 is for my AR's. The mini-14 is a working man's gun a real ranch rifle tough as nails and can shoot after falling off the back of your truck.
I own/shoot a "580-series" Ranch Rifle (stainless) -- "new production". On the third handload recipe it shot under 2 MOA. This is tough to do as my red dot scope has a 5 MOA dot.
Old Minis were crude. My first was purchased in 1981. I traded it on an AR-15 but those old ARs weren't exactly "tack drivers" either.
If you consider the Mini to be an M-1 Carbine with a useful cartridge, I believe that you'll be satisfied with it. If you want to blow sixty or ninety rounds per minute downrange, buy an AR. (I set the wooden handguard of my Mini on FIRE pulling that stunt!)
My local gun shop guy sent me out the door with the Ranch Rifle at $600 or so. His typical "black rifle" sale is $1,200.
Make your choice and practice, practice, practice. . . .
Old Minis were crude. My first was purchased in 1981. I traded it on an AR-15 but those old ARs weren't exactly "tack drivers" either.
If you consider the Mini to be an M-1 Carbine with a useful cartridge, I believe that you'll be satisfied with it. If you want to blow sixty or ninety rounds per minute downrange, buy an AR. (I set the wooden handguard of my Mini on FIRE pulling that stunt!)
My local gun shop guy sent me out the door with the Ranch Rifle at $600 or so. His typical "black rifle" sale is $1,200.
Make your choice and practice, practice, practice. . . .
Most everyone has to buy a mini-14 at some point and a few (very few) can find a reason to hold on to them but my advise is not to bother. They are a good solid idea but Ruger can't get it together.
Don't know about the new ones but the Ruger company is too much of a chicken s*** to put a trigger less than 12lb on any of their guns and won't sell mags of any reasonable size to the general public so in my book they can go stuff it!
Don't know about the new ones but the Ruger company is too much of a chicken s*** to put a trigger less than 12lb on any of their guns and won't sell mags of any reasonable size to the general public so in my book they can go stuff it!
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