Ruger Mini 30 Tactical ???

[FMJMIKE]

I read a couple good reviews on the Ruger Mini 30 Tactical. So I started looking for one for sale. I can't find a single one for sale. Anyone know where they are for sale ??? Anyone own one ??? TIA

 

[fal762x51]

I own one, and it is a very good rifle. I replaced the upper hand guard with a rail, and have an Aimpoint Micro mounted. You can get 20 round mags now from Ruger, and all that I have used work well. Accuracy off hand at 100 yds is about 3 inches. I have not fired from any more than an improvised rest, so I suspect it might be a little better. It is on par accuracy wise with my Arsenal AK.

The one thing that is peculiar about it is that the firing pin strikes are sometimes too light to set off Russian surplus ammo primers, and Wolf. I would say I get one light strike per 100 rounds or so. I have heard this is a common problem with Mini 30s and is related to the hard primers used in Russian made ammo. Softer primers used in other ammo brands is not a problem. So if I was going to use this gun for self defense, I would load it with domestically produced ammo, or Sellier and Bellot.

 

[bubbinator]

Ruger Mini 30 Tactical?

I inherited a Ruger Mini 14 from a retired Capt in my State LEO Agency tricked out with a folding stock. SN check w/ ruger puts it @ circa 1979-aboutthe time the Jimmy Carter Oli Strike put LEOs in tankers for security. Upon disassembly it looked almost unfired-very little evidence of wear. Had a cool muzzle brake/compensator on the bbl. As FAL762X51 di I replaced the top hand guard with an aluminum rail. I added a Bushnell Holo-Sight(EOTECT product if marked made in USA(they will warranty it-not Jap models), a 45 degree angle rail added a light mount. My State Police Agency sent me to a Ruger Armorer Schoool on the Mini-14/30 since sevral Agt carried them. It was a very well run class by a Ruger FACTORY person. The very first subject he dis cussed was the biggest issue Rugar had on warranty claims-bolt failures! In 99.9% of cases it was from the use of cheap russian lacquer-coated ammo being used. The heat generated causes the lacquer to melt-clogging up the firing pin hole = FTF! Abiding by these guidelines- NO LACQUER AMMO- my 4 decade old Ruger Mini plalform has been 100% thru 15 yrs of LEO quals/Tactical schools/and hunting.

 

[fal762x51]

It just a shame ruger didn't design the Mini 30 to work with Russian steel case lacquer coated ammo. They say its ok to fire it in a video that was on the Ruger website a while back, but I have had light firing pin strikes as I said, but no other problems with it.

 

[M1key]

I love mine. I shoot brass-cased, boxer primed ammo and reloads exclusively and expect many years of trouble-free enjoyment.

Several owners complain of firing pin breakage, but they are running mostly Russian steel ammo.

Mine will shoot 2 MOA with Fiocchi FMJ and a 4X Burris scope. It has become one of my wife's favorite rifles.

Stay away from the steel and you will be fine...Ruger used to say it was okay, now they don't recommend it.

M

 

[dprice3844444]

http://ruger-mini-14-firearms.com/mini_14_30_accessories.php mini barrel replacements

 

[rbernie]

I have a Mini30 Tactical and think very very highly of it. The issue with steel-cased ammo is not the hardness of the primers but the depth - the primer pockets are deeper and sometimes the firing pin doesn't have enough extension and energy to light things off. I run Wolf at the range and load S&B brass cased SPs for more serious occasions.

 

[mac66]

"and have an Aimpoint Micro mounted... Accuracy off hand at 100 yds is about 3 inches"

I would be highly impressed to see anyone shoot a 3" group offhand at 100 yards with any rifle with any scope, let alone a 4 MOA red dot. Just saying.

 

[fal762x51]

I would be highly impressed to see anyone shoot a 3" group offhand at 100 yards with any rifle with any scope, let alone a 4 MOA red dot. Just saying.

You are impressed by 3MOA accuracy? I am not really, but its good enough for the intended use of the Mini 30. Also, if you turn the power setting down on the Aimpoint, you can get the dot smaller than 4moa.

I will stand by my claim that the Mini 30 Tactical will do 3-4 inch groups though.

 

[Shawn Dodson]

You are impressed by 3MOA accuracy?

If you're actually shooting it from an "off hand" shooting position, as you stated in your first post, then that's pretty good shooting.

If you're shooting from a bench and getting 3-4 inch groups, then, yes, it's nothing to be impressed about.

 

[mac66]

Not impressed with a 3 MOA rifle. However, to shoot a 3-4 MOA rifle at 3 MOA offhand is truly remarkable.

 

[kfgk14]

I have a late-90's Mini 30 (not the tactical). I'm frankly unimpressed by it. Terribly inaccurate, not very reliable (it's clean and heavily lubricated, maybe 750 rounds through it), and HEAVY. I know the same is true of an AK-platform, but I shoot all my 7.62 through my AK's. The Mini-30 is only still around because I haven't replaced it with an M1/M1A yet.

 

[TexasPatriot.308]

my mini 14 tactical shoots 1 1/2" groups with a Redfield 2x7x33 scope, deals death to hogs and coyotes, own a mini 30 too, but as far as tactical, I would just go with a good AK47.

 

[ob3ygiant]

FMJMike,

I too am looking for a Tac-30 and having no luck locating one. I have been told by a friend who is an FFL that they are currently not being produced...production should be resuming soon

 

[stchman]

The Mini-14 fires cheap steel case Russian steel case lacquer coated ammo with no problem.

 

[nathan]

The only thing that works right with a 7.62 x 39 is with the SKS and AK unless theres some problem with the manufacturing.