just bought a mini 6.8 (range report)

[maggot]

I just bought it today, gotta wait ten days here in stupid Ca. tho. The one major difference i see in it compared to the 223 and 7.62x39 is that the barrel is heavier contoured right after the gas block then tapers down to just about the same size as a mini thirty barrel.You can see the difference clearly on the ruger web site. I'm putting a Burris 2-7 x 35mm on it, and need suggestions on a scope base or rings that will allow me to use the iron sights.

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

The Ruger rings will go on and off easily----just keep a quarter or nickel in your pocket to loosen and tighten the mount screws.

See-thru mounts are generally reguarded as a poor choice because they keep the scope too high.

If you buy a good scope---you won't be using the iron sights anyway---a Leupold 2x7x33 VX-I would be a good place to start an can be had for $200 or less-----------I've even used a old Redfield 1x5x20 on a Mini that worked quite well.

[xhare]

Keep us posted on its performance.  I am mulling over purchasing one of those myself. 

[maggot]

I sighted in my 6.8 yesterday and shot about 25 rounds. The best group i got was 1.5 with BTHP/WC hornady. I tried the vmax and remington otm aswell and could not do better than 4 inch. The problem i had with the hornady was that it would not cycle consistently, no problem with the remington. I suggest that factory scope rings be lapped on all mini's, they are the worst. After 3 hours of lapping i still only got about 60% surface.

[teddy12b]

That sounds like as good of a group from a mini-14 as you'll likely get.  Those are great reliable truck guns, not so much benchrest varmint rifles.  I'm just glad to hear there's another guy on board with the 6.8mm SPC.  That's a great cartridge.

[xhare]

There is finally an online test of this rifle. 

www.gunblast.com has a pretty good write up on the Mini 6.8.  He had some ammo issues as well, particularly the Remington ammo at first shot only 4 inch groups, but as he fired up his ammo (he needed the brass for reloading) the groups improved quite dramatically.