You've got 25 acres to protect, Mini 14, or M1Carbine?
- Thread starter twoblink
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It depends on what the terrain is like. 25 acres isn't that big. (I grew up on 380, with another 300 rented under alfalfa). If the terrain is open, then the .223 would certainly have more potential. If the terrain is rolling, or wooded, then the distance shots might be moot.
Personally I don't like Mini-14s a whole lot. I would probably get a Saiga or SKS for less than half and call it good.
I like the M1 Carbine, but I don't think of it as a rifle. It is a fun little short range, bascially pistol level carbine.
Personally I don't like Mini-14s a whole lot. I would probably get a Saiga or SKS for less than half and call it good.
I like the M1 Carbine, but I don't think of it as a rifle. It is a fun little short range, bascially pistol level carbine.
The su-16 is perfect for what you are looking for. It is light weight so the girlfriend can carry it, it uses either 223 or 5.56 (don't start) for cheap ammo, and it uses the front half of the ar bolt hooked to the gas system out of an ak for more reliability and a LOT less cleaning.
All of the working parts are metal, the polymere is just to take up the required space to make it look like a rifle. There is no shortage of cheap magazines either, as it uses AR magazines. Did I mention accurate?? 100 yard three round sight in groups using winchester white box ammo and a 3 power scope could be covered with a dime.
I am on 80 acres and that is the coyote rifle, any other needs or unknown need gets a 308, can't fool around with poodle shooters at times.
All of the working parts are metal, the polymere is just to take up the required space to make it look like a rifle. There is no shortage of cheap magazines either, as it uses AR magazines. Did I mention accurate?? 100 yard three round sight in groups using winchester white box ammo and a 3 power scope could be covered with a dime.
I am on 80 acres and that is the coyote rifle, any other needs or unknown need gets a 308, can't fool around with poodle shooters at times.
Feanaro
Member
Are we talking about flatlands or hilly/wooded? If the former, the Mini-14 would cover the ground better. I don't like them much but they are accurate enough and rugged enough for the job. If the latter I think the M1 would be handier and easier to shoot.
Nippy
Member
If it be Mini or M1 Carbine
If you are protecting your ranch from coyotes go with the Mini-14.
You dont really need to add any mods to the mini to get it to group reasonably (if you are taking 5 shots or so).
.223 is reputably good at stopping or shredding things apart. You can also dial in to reach out and touch something at 350 yrds with a Mini.
If you are going to fight aliens get a M1 Carbine. The Mini mags are a pain in the ass, and when the barrel heats up the Mini tends to go from MOA to 2 feet MOA at 100yrds (this is w/o mods). Mag changes are harder and you can't put in a full 10rnd mag with the bolt closed...
Basically to get a Mini to be combat ready is a lot of trouble IMO. Get Mags that work, cut barrel, bed stock, change torque on gas block etc.. Of course you may still have problems with the Mini flinging bullets (after the barrel heats up) left and right after the mods. Its a great ranch gun but not a battle rifle.
If you are protecting your ranch from coyotes go with the Mini-14.
You dont really need to add any mods to the mini to get it to group reasonably (if you are taking 5 shots or so).
.223 is reputably good at stopping or shredding things apart. You can also dial in to reach out and touch something at 350 yrds with a Mini.
If you are going to fight aliens get a M1 Carbine. The Mini mags are a pain in the ass, and when the barrel heats up the Mini tends to go from MOA to 2 feet MOA at 100yrds (this is w/o mods). Mag changes are harder and you can't put in a full 10rnd mag with the bolt closed...
Basically to get a Mini to be combat ready is a lot of trouble IMO. Get Mags that work, cut barrel, bed stock, change torque on gas block etc.. Of course you may still have problems with the Mini flinging bullets (after the barrel heats up) left and right after the mods. Its a great ranch gun but not a battle rifle.
jobu07
Contributing Member
It seems as though the mini is going to have the range advantage and a bit more stopping power at that range. At short ranges,however, either would be adequate i'd say. A'course at 25 acres, range isn't much of an issue as you can traverse it rather quickly, especially if you know the lay of the land. In which case the shorter, handier carbine would be to our advantage.
threefeathers
member
I have several of both and many more. I carried an M-1 carbine in Berlin and an M-2 carbine in SE Asia. I admit that I carry a shooter Winchester M-1 carbine in my truck with 2 30 round mags loaded with PMC ball. I have a 15 round mag loaded with Winchester soft point for game. Javalina, rabid dogs and skunks. Either will work fine on two legged preditators.
Dave Markowitz
Member
I own 182-series Mini-14 and an Underwood M1 Carbine, and previously an Iver Johnson M1. I like both designs.
Between the two, I'd take a Mini-14, so long as I'd be able to feed it from Ruger, Fed Ord, or PMI magazines (PMI made the FO mags). Good thing I have 9 PMIs.
The Ruger is more powerful than the .30 Carbine, ammo is cheaper, and the gun is Kalashnikov-reliable with good mags. It's also accurate enough for the job asked of it.
Between the two, I'd take a Mini-14, so long as I'd be able to feed it from Ruger, Fed Ord, or PMI magazines (PMI made the FO mags). Good thing I have 9 PMIs.
The Ruger is more powerful than the .30 Carbine, ammo is cheaper, and the gun is Kalashnikov-reliable with good mags. It's also accurate enough for the job asked of it.
TrapperReady
Member
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- Jan 29, 2003
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If I had 25 acres, the only thing I'd be protecting it from would be grouse, pheasants and whitetail deer. Make mine a Winchester Model 12 in 12ga or 16ga.
If I had to pick between the choices you gave, then the Mini-14.
If I could pick anything, then it'd probably be a Winchester 94 in 30-30.
If I had to pick between the choices you gave, then the Mini-14.
If I could pick anything, then it'd probably be a Winchester 94 in 30-30.
Roadkill Coyote
Member
I'd sell my 25 acres and move to someplace with a better selection of guns for sale. Either that or get in the spirit of the scenario and set weird artificial conditions for what intruders could carry onto my land to even up the score.
Whiffle bats, I think.
Whiffle bats, I think.
M2 Carbine
member
I've got 20 acres and a few Carbines.
(had a Mini 14, don't want another)
Walking around in the woods, or where ever with the Carbine I feel well armed.
Of course if I expected buggers in the woods I'd probably have a bigger rifle or at least the M2 Carbine.
(had a Mini 14, don't want another)
Walking around in the woods, or where ever with the Carbine I feel well armed.
Of course if I expected buggers in the woods I'd probably have a bigger rifle or at least the M2 Carbine.
I've got to say that's a very odd choice of rifles if you're really looking for one rifle to do it all. One of them isn't really even a rifle at all, and the other one (primarily because of caliber) doesn't really fill the bill for a general purpose rifle.
I'd say go ahead and get whichever you like and then the next time you can scrape together a few twenties, go get a beater Mosin Nagant variant with a good bore. Shoot your choice for fun and keep the M-N behind the door or seat--it's way more general purpose IMO.
I'd say go ahead and get whichever you like and then the next time you can scrape together a few twenties, go get a beater Mosin Nagant variant with a good bore. Shoot your choice for fun and keep the M-N behind the door or seat--it's way more general purpose IMO.
twoblink
Member
You are all talking about the SKS I SOLD right??
If there was a 'yote, my SKS would have hit the yot on the other guy's property. like 12 MOA is not really that handy..
If there was a 'yote, my SKS would have hit the yot on the other guy's property. like 12 MOA is not really that handy..
rbernie
Contributing Member
My Chinese SKS is about a 2"-3" @ 100 yards kinda rifle. But I've found that if I feed it crap, it shoots like crap. It's really partial to Barnaul 125gr softpoints.
With the proper ammo, it'll certainly outshoot a M1 Carbine or Mini14.
With the proper ammo, it'll certainly outshoot a M1 Carbine or Mini14.
KarbineKrazy
Member
Mini 14 is a great rifle.
just throw a muzzle break, bed the stock, do a trigger job on it. You'll throw 2 inch groups on paper at 100 yards, plenty accurate enough and you can do all that well under $100.
For high cap magazines, buy PMI, Ruger LEOs or Masen/BlackWarrior mags. Those are all very reliable mags and you shouldn't have any problems.
Don't badmouth the mini 14 till you try this combination. You'll be happy! You want any more info, or have any questions on the mini 14, shoot me an email.
just throw a muzzle break, bed the stock, do a trigger job on it. You'll throw 2 inch groups on paper at 100 yards, plenty accurate enough and you can do all that well under $100.
For high cap magazines, buy PMI, Ruger LEOs or Masen/BlackWarrior mags. Those are all very reliable mags and you shouldn't have any problems.
Don't badmouth the mini 14 till you try this combination. You'll be happy! You want any more info, or have any questions on the mini 14, shoot me an email.
sm
member
I'm in the Win 94 30-30 Camp . Since the 94 has a proven history of doing exactly what this post is all about.
I'm definitely in TrapperReady's Camp - Trapper - I like the way you think .
Win 94 , model 12 ...and gimme a model 70 in '06 ....Just Because.
I'm definitely in TrapperReady's Camp - Trapper - I like the way you think .
Win 94 , model 12 ...and gimme a model 70 in '06 ....Just Because.
Andrew Wyatt
Member
Most people seem to have a problem figuring out what a mini-14 is for, they compare it to an ar-15 and pronounce it wanting, when they should probably compare it to an m-1 carbine,as a mini-14's rile is much closer to that of an m-1 carbine.
sm
member
Oh - forgot something....
EVERYBODY knows the guns Trapper and I reference are BLUE & WOOD ....just wanted to point out this is the way one properly takes cares of 25 acres.
EVERYBODY knows the guns Trapper and I reference are BLUE & WOOD ....just wanted to point out this is the way one properly takes cares of 25 acres.
twoblink
Member
If I went with a lever, it'd be in a .357Mag. Because that's just more logistical.. But I'd prefer a pump, so a Timberwolf is always on the menu.
I have been reading over at http://www.perfectunion.com/forums/index.php?showforum=55
And it seems, for as said, retightening the gas system, and bedding the stock, filing down the trigger, etc.. for under $200, you can get it to 2MOA or less on a Mini 14. That's not bad at all..
The Kel-Tec Su-16 is a big consideration as well.. But for me, no AR's...
I have been reading over at http://www.perfectunion.com/forums/index.php?showforum=55
And it seems, for as said, retightening the gas system, and bedding the stock, filing down the trigger, etc.. for under $200, you can get it to 2MOA or less on a Mini 14. That's not bad at all..
The Kel-Tec Su-16 is a big consideration as well.. But for me, no AR's...
sm
member
logistical
twoblink,
Here in the South one can hardly get more "logstical" than a 30-30. I mean these things are in fillin' stations, bait shops,- heck- this time of year they grow wild on the side of the two lanes and served as side with Breakfast , Lunch , and Supper.
Hell just the other day I bought a soda from vending machine and rec'd two ctgs back as change.
twoblink,
Here in the South one can hardly get more "logstical" than a 30-30. I mean these things are in fillin' stations, bait shops,- heck- this time of year they grow wild on the side of the two lanes and served as side with Breakfast , Lunch , and Supper.
Hell just the other day I bought a soda from vending machine and rec'd two ctgs back as change.
KarbineKrazy
Member
Mace, I know the AR15 is a great carbine, believe me, I've shot them and I like them.
But the Mini 14 requires little maintenence to keep it running and it will do the job just dandy.
Plus the SKS is just so damned ugly.
The 30-30 or .357 Lever would be a good choice, can't argue against that, but seems he wants a semi auto.
But the Mini 14 requires little maintenence to keep it running and it will do the job just dandy.
Plus the SKS is just so damned ugly.
The 30-30 or .357 Lever would be a good choice, can't argue against that, but seems he wants a semi auto.
KarbineKrazy
Member
buwahahaha!!!
Remember, I am still new here! Still feeling it out.
Remember, I am still new here! Still feeling it out.
Ivy Mike
Member
If you are considering a pistol caliber carbine, just call up Mech-Tech systems and get a Carbine Conversion Unit for a Glock 20. Some new standard capacity magazines and you've got a 15 shot 10mm, lightweight carbine. More oomph than a wimpy .357 mag...especially if you call Doubletap ammo.
Failing that, I don't know why you'd bother with a mini or an M1 Carbine. A simple AK design rifle would give you the rugged reliability as well as a powerful cartridge. If you don't like the AK idea, just get a better SKS.
Failing that, I don't know why you'd bother with a mini or an M1 Carbine. A simple AK design rifle would give you the rugged reliability as well as a powerful cartridge. If you don't like the AK idea, just get a better SKS.
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