Why keep the older Mini 30

[finisher]

I have a very early Mini 30 that I purchased around 91 or 92. I doubt if I've put more than 100 rounds through it doing just casual plinking out to 100 yards.
 
First of all know that I do not reload (one day i'll get into it).
 
I am considering selling this rifle in order to help fund a Springfield SOCOM as I have an AK and an SKS shorty that I love. But I just won't scope either of them
 
But I'm also tempted to put a cheap but durable piece of glass on the mini just to see. I like the Saigas but I like the top loading capability of the Mini more.
 
Now since I don't reload, I'll likely be shooting mostly the cheap stuff which I understand is .310 or .311 caliber. What effects, in regards to accuracy and mostly SAFETY, will this have in my Mini which I am told is a .308 bore? Is it  safe?
 
Are the newer ones which supposedly have a .310 bore (I've heard varying accounts of .309 & .311 but mostly .310) better suited for the cheap ammo I don't expect match grade accuracy, just the ability to hit (JUST HIT) a target  about the size of  say a 5 gallon water jug out to 300, maybe even 500 yrds or so.
 
And what happens for those who do reload .308 caliber bullets and fire them in the newer wider diameter bore?
 
How much advantage will the OLD or NEWER scoped Mini have over the open sighted AK or SKS on the targets I described with the cheap ammo.
 
If none significant, I would say sell it and save up for the SOCOM. But I'm looking for a not so expensive (cheap x39 ammo VS. SOCOM) reason to give this old Mini a chance.
 
Appreciate any and all opinions.
 
 

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

If you get the Springfield, you'll need to take up reloading just to feed it without killing your wallet.
The 7.62x39 isn't really a long range cartridge---think 200yds as your max distance.
Now the Ruger makes 20 rd mags for it---the Mini-30 has kind of come into it own---get a couple mags and have fun with your Mini.
The older mini-30's might not be the most accurate--but either .308 or .311 will be safe to shoot---Ruger planned on that---see which one works best in your gun.

[Lloyd Smale]

Id get the socom! there great guns and i wish i would have gotten one back before i retired. About the only way new guns come my way anymore is trading. Ive had a couple mini 30s. there ok guns. they are reliable with good ammo but arent as reliable as a socom and dont shoot as well either and sure dont have the cool factor. Ive had quite a few mini 14s too but just never could get attached to one. Ive got an ar in 762x39 and an ar10 which are both good guns but still dont have the cool factor a socom has.

[finisher]

[you'll need to take up reloading just to feed it /quote]
I've been avoiding this like I avoided buying a safe..."for that price I can buy another toy" I'd say. But after my first child was born I knew I shouldn't put it off any longer....you know. But I will make it happen and I can even see fair possibilities in the x39 with those .308 bullets.
Thanks,
Finisher

[finisher]

[About the only way new guns come my way anymore is trading./quote]
I'm not retired But I'm not making the kind of money I was during the construction boom. I'm sort of in the same boat with a limited income.
I have been trimming alot of the unneeded fat sitting around in the safe, either selling it or trading it for simple, durable guns, that I can pass down and, that I'm actually going to put to use. The SOCOM certainly fits that bill for me and I know what you mean about the "cool factor".
 
The .223 has little use to me other than a cheap and abundant ammo supply for a mid range "shredder" like my AR. The x39 isn't much more but it does have just a little more "umph!" than the .223. And it's the only COMMERCIAL (meaning cheap and abundant-remember, I don't reload) middle ground between the .223 and .308 Win.
 
I guess thats why I'm tryin to convince myself to keep it, otherwise I'll need to save even longer for that SOCOM. I'd like to get it before another fear sparked buying fenzy starts and the prices really become unreachable.

[Bugflipper]

1990 was the cut off for .308-9 barrels according to Ruger. 1989 was the last real year. 1990 kind of sort of, they had a swaged barrel for part of the year to use up the 308 diameter barrels. After that .310-.311. You can contact Ruger, ask for records. And they can tell you what year yours was made by serial number.


As far as accuracy, a decent sks will run neck and neck or better in some cases. A top echelon AK will as well. Most Aks out there will likely have double the group size though. 500 would be stretching it for the jugs. If it was a good shooter, maybe. Most likely would have to use a better cheap ammo like silver bear for consistent hits.


 Even if a pre 1990 there would be no issue with .310 ammo. It is safe in a rifle with a true .308 bore. The 30s were a little sloppy, hence the .308-.309, then .310-.311 bores. It only got worse as time went on until they retooled with their current version.

[finisher]

Thanks bug flipper. Everyones info is helpfull and tells me more or less to just take it out, shoot it, and see what may come. But at least I know its safe. Thanks again everyone.

[casca1]

                                                                  and
The ruger mini 30 never made anyones ban list of guns to get rid of, something to think about as time rolls on.
I love mine have 5 30 rounders for it and a short power scope. not better than any AK but just as good.
once you add the Wolf spring Kit . you already for the DANCE- even if the ban don't show up !
                         
                                                                  casca1
 

[Swampman]

I don't think any of the Minis including the new ones are accurate enough to be interesting.  A scope won't help.

[hillbill]

the mini is what it is. a shorter range, light, quick handling, extremely reliable and durable battle rifle or truck gun. some shoot poor, sum shoot good and a very few will be nicely accurate.but they all seem to go bang all the time.they do hold and appreciate in value well.i have a 30 and a couple of 14s and ill never sell them. however if yu want a longer range type gun id sell it and get what you want.

[drdougrx]

Yeah....I've got to agree with Hillbill.  The mini is a reliable plinker in my book.  I would not hesitate to use one for SD either...never had one that jammed, ever ... and I've had 4.  I buy and sell because of mediocre accuracy...and I just can't wrap my head around the prices of the new ones.....

[finisher]

From most of the opinions I'm getting, it almost seems like its not worth adding the extra bulk of a scope if one is half way decent using open sights. Does any one know of an "almost" tack driving 7.62x39 that won't break the bank?

[Bugflipper]

I would first get ahold of Veral Smith. He is here on GBO on the cast bullets forum, but you could contact him through this website.http://www.lbtmoulds.com/index.shtml He sells a lapping compound for bores. That would be your cheapest solution. Just lap the sks and mini. Most likely one or the other will tighten up enough for what you are wanting.



The cz 527 is a tack driver. I also have an enfield in 7.62x39 that takes ak mags that shoots pretty good as well. Assuming you want a semi though. There is the saiga, not a tack driver, but 2" groups isn't out of the question with silver or golden bear ammo. If you can find one the daewoo dr-300 is a pretty good shooter. They will hover around 1-1.5" with the bear ammo. If you are looking for accuracy, stay away from tula and wolf. Herters is a step up from them, but not a big step. If you can find a norinco or polytec AK (mak90 is the easiest to find reasonable) they can be pretty accurate as well.

[hillbill]

i think a lot of the bad rep 7.62x39 rifles get for bad accuracy comes from the crap ammo most people shoot thru them.dont get me wrong now, i have several cases of cheap ammo.i like it and use it all the time.but would yu expect your rem 06 mdl 700 to shoot well with 3$ a box ammo?

[chefjeff]

I have to say that although it was reliable,I was never satisfied with my 30 and it was replaced.Still like the round and have two SKS's bought when they were dirt cheap to shoot it.7.62x39 is still about the cheapest factory battle round you can buy.

[mannyrock]

 
  My understanding is that Accustrut sells a front mounted strut for the early Mini-30, that mounts under the barrel and considerably stiffens it up.  Often, this will reduce the group size by 66%.  These struts are not that expensive. I think about $125 or so.
 
  Best part, if you are not satisfied with the results, you can return the strut to Accustrut for a full refund.
 
   So, I would buy and mount an Accustrut, and then test fire some good quality  ammo, not the cheap military junk that is so common.  You may be surprised how well it shoots.  And if not, then send back the strut.  You will have lost nothing.
 
Regards, Mannyrock

[Swampman]

Good advise, I'm thinking about the Accustrut myself.

[SHOOTALL]

If you get the Socom you won't need the others . That's from personal experince. If you don't reload it would be a good time to start . You can get cheap ammo for the Socom but not as cheap as 7.62X39 .
I know people who have mini 30's and they are as old as yours and they shoot the Russian  round , I did when I had the mini.
Now lets muddy the waters , the Socom is a good gun I like mine BUT I don't like the muzzle brake ( don't like brakes in general) and plan to replace it with a standard flash suppresor if it will fit. If I were to buy the gun today it would be the squard Scout model. The reason I did not get the SS was I had not seen one when I got the Socom.
The forward mounted scope is a nice idea if you like it . I removed the rail and installed a standard handguard and accuracy improved alot . I don't care for forward mounted scopes. I hunt with my socom its a bit weighty but it is a fine shooter .
So good luck with your M1-A if you decide to get it and take a serious look at the way you plan to use it then compare the Socom to the S. Scout both are good guns .