Mini 30

[Tad Houston]

Anybody know the bore size on the mini 30? Can i load standard .308 bullets and get good accuracy?

Thanks, Tad

[Tracer]

I believe the Mini 30 has a .308 bore but has a longer throat so it can shoot the 7.62x39mm safely.  It shouldn't hurt the rifle to try some .308 caliber bullets and if they shoot well, end of story.  T

[Castaway]

At one time, I know they were 308.  Don't know about current ones.  A quick call to Ruger or a barrel slugging would solve the mystery.

[targshooter]

I own a Series 189 Mini-30 It has shot nothing but Wolf 7.62x39 for 7 years. When I bought it, I contacted Ruger about using the Wolf ammunition. They had no problem. The Wolf ammo was .311 and Ruger informed me the Mini-30 barrels were nominally of .310-.311 diameter. I've fired almost 6,000 rounds with no problem and very decent accuracy. The Series 189 rifles have very deep rifling and the barrel on mine still appears shiny with sharp, well defined rifling having sharp edges. Actually, the rifling in my rifle appears much as did the rifling in the AKs I owned; very tapered from base to top and deep. I dumped my last AK when I bought the Mini-30; its ergonomics (stock and sights) allowing much quicker and accurate shot placement than the AK.

[LCR]

Tad-
   My 581 barrel is .311 groove and .300 land, it will drive .308 bullets, but you'll get some gas leakage past the bullet.

[Tad Houston]

Thanks guys, looks like i got one coming, i will slug the bore.

[LCR]

Well done, the new 580 series are very nice indeed. Make sure you get the updated barrel with a fillet in front of gas block- they're heavier than the old ones.