Ruger Mini-30 & Surplus Ammo

[walker944]

This thread may have been done previously, but the Search feature is currently acting up...

I've got the itch for a Ruger Mini-30, but was wondering there is a surplus ammo (Berdan primered) issue with the Mini-30. I have a NEF 7.62x39 single shot that will not fire the surplus stuff due to the harder primers and insufficient firing pin penetration. Does this problem also exist for the Mini-30?
Would especially appreciate first-hand knowledge comments.

 

[PO2Hammer]

My friend had a mini 30 and did have trouble with certain brands of surplus ammo, I think the Wolf stuff was OK, can't remember the bad ammo.

The SKS fired everything without fail.

 

[JESmith]

You can replace the hammer spring with an extra power spring if you have troubles. The main issues I have is that some of ammo has the primer seated extremley deep in the pocket or the case is a fraction short. The firing pin can't make a good strike. I buy bulk ammo and it seems to run in lots. If you get one bad strike in a case, you will get a whole lot more. Then you get a thousand rounds without a single failure. Wolf black box hollowpoints seem to work pretty well. Also Academy's store brand (Monarch) in the blue box is pretty reliable.

 

[rhinoh]

Yes it is a problem with the Mini30. The stronger hammer spring helps, but did not eliminate it in my Mini30.

 

[JohnMc]

I haven't done the replacement in mine and it has that problem. It isn't the Berdan primers per se, it's that com block primers themselves are harder, as I understand it.

 

[FFMedic]

I have pretty bad luck when Wolf and Ruger play.

FFMedic

 

[VA27]

I too had the itch for a Mini30. I borrowed one and took it, some Wolf and some WWB to the range along with my AK. The AK shot circles around the Mini with both brands of ammo.

A coupla weeks later a guy showed up with a Vz58. It too shot circles around the Mini30.

I've lost my itch for the Mini and have a greater appreciation for my AK...

and now I have an itch for a Vz!

 

[gbran]

I've got the itch for a Ruger Mini-30,

Don't scratch it. BTW, I have lots of trouble with bulk surplus ammo. Wolf runs fine. BTW, the Mini 30 is no tack driver. How does your single shot NEF do in terms of accuracy?

 

[walker944]

How does your single shot NEF do in terms of accuracy?

Well, sadly (and embarrassingly) I have not shot it since I sent it back to the factory once I found out it was having problems detonating the mil-surp ammo primer. At the time I thought there was something wrong with the rifle. Afterall, why would anyone make a rifle chambered in 7.62x39 that would not be capable of shooting the tons of mil-surp ammo that was cheap and readily available at the time (2006)? I was, like many other similar rifle purchasers were, very shocked to learn the horrible truth. Since then I have not fired the rifle. So, in all honesty, I can not answer your question. I have purchased some Remington 7.62x39, but haven't yet had a chance to fire it. I've sort of lost the love...

 

[gbran]

My mini with Wolf HP's and a scope (comes w/Ruger rings) does about 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 inches at 100 yds. I haven't shot other ammo on 100 yd paper. I would guess your NEF should do better.

 

[Troy308]

VZ-58

I have the original D-Technik VZ-58, and it is built like a freight train! In my opinion it will be more accurate and probably more reliable than the mini-30. It's magazines are military grade. I just saw this link for a sweet deal on VZ-58's. These are built with the American made receivers. http://www.centerfiresystems.com/ri...mpaign=Special Offers from Centerfire Systems