Author Topic: Mini 14 vs mini 30 (Read 1024 times)

Jwysenski · « **on:** August 08, 2004, 07:09:36 AM »

Before i even start, i would like to ask that this thread is not bombarded with mini bashing. I cant aford a bushmaster and i know the acuracy to be expected from a mini.

So how do the 2 compare? ive heard the recoil is slightly worse on the 30 thatn the 14. howabout the knockdown powere and accuracy? what im realy looking for is somone who owns both and knows hem very well to make a comparision, not somone who fired one once at the range.

thanks

Coltrane · « **Reply #1 on:** August 08, 2004, 04:08:01 PM »

The -14 should prove to be more accurate than the -30. This is due to the -30's bore being a .308 diameter. The throat is free-bore to keep pressures down from firing .310-.311 diameter bullets out of the gun.

That being said, IF you reload, then use .30 cal bullets to match the bore and your accuracy may improve to equal or even exceed the -14.

My last Mini-14 was pretty accurate for its purpose: a fast firing, tough as nails vehicle gun. It liked the 62gr FMJ from Russia (not Wolf it came in a red and blue package with brown steel cases). I kept 2.5 and 3.0 groups at 100 yards. I had it scoped with a 2-7x40 Swift scope ( it was a stainless Ranch rifle) to get those groups and let the barrel cool between shots.

The Mini may not count as high as an AR15 in accuracy, but it's not a spoiled princess that can't stand being dirtied or manhandled like an AR15 is! :eek:

Coltrane

Robert · « **Reply #2 on:** August 08, 2004, 09:18:23 PM »

Ok....Mini 14's vary....some are accuraate some(like mine) are dead nuts. I don't have a mini 30..but from what i have heard...most of them suck..they are not even close to the same caliber...why would anyone try to compare them? Just because they are called mini--something or other?Delete this entire thread please!

Robert · « **Reply #3 on:** August 08, 2004, 09:20:26 PM »

might as well be me....

captainkirk · « **Reply #4 on:** August 09, 2004, 05:40:42 AM »

I spoke with a factory rep about the mini 30 several years ago when I was considering one. The 308 bore was only in first few years of production, since then it has been 311-312. I asked this specifically at the time because I was considering handloading for it and the 308 bore might have worked but the 311 was out...

Captainkirk

MGMorden · « **Reply #5 on:** August 09, 2004, 09:13:21 AM »

Quote from: Robert

Ok....Mini 14's vary....some are accuraate some(like mine) are dead nuts. I don't have a mini 30..but from what i have heard...most of them suck..they are not even close to the same caliber...why would anyone try to compare them? Just because they are called mini--something or other?Delete this entire thread please!

They're probably comparing them because .223 and 7.62x39 are the two cheapest types of centerfire rifle ammo on the market. If they want to do a lot of shooting at the range (informal plinking and such where caliber isn't very important, just accuracy) then it would make sense to compare the performance of these two rounds.

Robert · « **Reply #6 on:** August 09, 2004, 01:48:21 PM »

I think I wouls PREFER the 311 bore if I were to get a 30.

S.S. · « **Reply #7 on:** August 10, 2004, 06:39:59 AM »

here's MY 2CT's worth............

Neither rifle was ever designed to be a tack driver,
If you can keep all your shots on a 6 inch paper plate at
100 meters you have done well with them.
Most (Not ALL)people that dis-like these guns are misplacing the blame. Cheap Military surplus or Former COM-BLOC
ammo is not going to provide match accuracy! Those cases
with the Thick Laquer are going to sometimes cause jams.
This is not the guns fault. The Ruger MINI'S in my opinion
do just what they were designed to do. PROVIDE A SMALL
LIGHT WEIGHT SEMI-AUTO RIFLE AT A PRICE THAT "COMMON"
FOLKS COULD AFFORD TO BUY !...
I think Mr. Ruger accomplished this quite well.
They should have come with some sort of flash hider though!
Muzzle blast / Flash is substantial without one.

BIGBOREFAN · « **Reply #8 on:** August 11, 2004, 07:00:05 AM »

I just traded and got a mini 30. I really like mine. I have only shot it at 25 yards. From what I can tell at 25 yards it is just as accurate as the mini 14. Looks identical to the mini 14. Really like the safety.

BBF

Longcruise · « **Reply #9 on:** August 11, 2004, 09:06:35 AM »

Quote

I cant aford a bushmaster and i know the acuracy to be expected from a mini.

If you really like shooting 30 call and can't afford the pricey .223's (neither can I

) then you might take a look at an SKS. Accuracy varies but mine will do 4 moa and that's fine for it's application. Might no suit yours of course

ragdude · « **Reply #10 on:** August 11, 2004, 03:49:27 PM »

As for me, I have the ranch mini 14 with a 3-7 scope, and it is FUN to shoot! :-D Maybe not the most accurate but... what the hey. It's also much better looking (I think) than the SKS. :wink:

Jwysenski · « **Reply #11 on:** August 12, 2004, 08:15:32 PM »

Thanks for all the replys. i should have stated in my first post that im not looking for an extremely accurate rifle. im really looking at the minis because i love the M1 carbine, which isnt all that accurate, and wasnt designed to be so. I love the compact size and its never failed me, but I want somthing with a little more punch to it. what im trying to decide between is weather i want the slight extra power of the 7.62 or the slightly lower recoil of the .223 (i have found that the 7.62 is a lot more fun for plinking because it dose a little more damage than .223) so im interested more in everyone's opinion on the recoil/ accuracy/ power trade off. BTW, i have only used a limited number of rifels bored in 7.62 and .223 (AR variants, sks, and ak47) of the 3, i prefer the ak, although it seems a little cheap (i especially hate the safety on it, to name one thing)

Mikey · « **Reply #12 on:** August 13, 2004, 03:44:05 AM »

Jwysenski: I've owned and shot a number of -14s and played with a number of -30s. I don't seem to notice the difference in recoil between the two. My -14s have been the more accurate and I think that was due to the Ruger bore dimentions of .308 while using .310 sized boolets. The newer -30s are properly bored, so I understand but you will still not get the accuracy of American made mil-spec 5.56x45mm with 7.62x39 comm-bloc mil-spec ammo. That being said, I have found Sellier and Bellot to be excellent quality ammunition in the 7.62x39mm and have found it to group to two inches at 100 m in my long barrelled AK variant. That puts that particular AK on par with my -14 and have seen only on-30 shoot better than that. That particular rifle was an earlier -30 for which the owner handloaded .308 bullets.

I think that with either caliber the determining factor is the ammunition. Lots of fellas go purchase inexpensive comm-bloc mil-surp and are unhappy with the performance and accuracy. Also, lots of fellas purchase foreign made mil-surp 223 and find the same problem. I think it is six of one and a half dozen of the other. Buy one and try it out, but please use quality ammo. If you are not happy with it, cut your losses and get one in the other caliber. Just an opinion. Mikey.

kevin.303 · « **Reply #13 on:** August 13, 2004, 08:10:34 PM »

could be out of your price range but check out www.mini-14.net

they do a heavy barrel conversion on both 14's and 30's that delivers sub moa accuracy. i think it looks better with the longer barrel

Runs with Scissors · « **Reply #14 on:** August 16, 2004, 04:36:47 AM »

I don't own a Mini 30 but I do have a Mini 14..
Mine is a s/s ranch model with an aftermarket M1A sight.
It has a trigger job now that produces a 3.5lb pull.
The last time I shot it I got 3"groups @ 100 yards.
My girlfriend did even better.
The .223 cartridge is very accurate. The Mini 14 is not. Mine is probably better than average.
I read somewhere that Ruger's QC flunk rate is 2.5" @ 50 yards. That translates to 5" @ 100, or paper plate material. Thats about the worst you can expect. Adding a muzzle break and trigger job cost about $60 but cuts the group size in half.
I got my Mini 14 for cheap, informal plinking and coyote hunting.
I use only milsurp ammo. The 62 grain Silver Bear milsurp ammo is very effective on coyotes out to and beyond 100 yards. I paid $80/500 for it at a local gun show.
I'm very satisfied with my rifle for it's previously mentioned purpose.
What I don't like about it is the flimsy peep sight that comes with the Ranch version. The stock trigger pull is close to the rifle's weight, and ejection damages brass to a point where it is difficult or impossible to reload. If you add up the cost of my modifications ( trigger, muzzle break and sight) it comes to $125. I would still invest the total sum of $625 in a Mini 14 again because I like the rifle.

Bill

BIGBOREFAN · « **Reply #15 on:** August 17, 2004, 07:38:43 AM »

Well I got to group mine a 25 yards with a 1.5-4.5x20 Bushnell scope. Groups were around 1/2 inch. Now, that's not to say they won't open up considerable at 100 yards. I'll have to check and see. If it shoots 2 or 3 inch groups at a 100 yards, I for one will not be upset. Cause I traded two guns that I only had 240.00 in. Sure beat paying the 575.00 around here.

BBF

glock fan · « **Reply #16 on:** August 23, 2004, 04:03:25 AM »

I've owned both the Mini 14 and Mini 30. I liked the Mini 14 much better than the Mini 30. Accuracy was much better. However, neither was very accurate or reliable. I sold both eventually. The good news is I got my money back on both. I replaced them with much cheaper SKSs which turned out to be considerably more accurate & reliable. FWIW, the paratrooper 16" barrel SKS variant is similar in size to the Mini 14/30 and has the same handling characteristics. They typically run around $225- $275 in my neck of the woods. This puts them at about half what a Mini 14/30 would run. I really like the way the Mini 14/30 looked and there is a ton of aftermarket stuff made for them that is fun to play with but their lack of accuracy & reliability was a show stopper for me. Wish I could be more positive about them but I'd be misleading you if I was. Good luck!

prob · « **Reply #17 on:** September 06, 2004, 07:46:13 PM »

Ok, I'll chime in. I have one of each and as long as you keep in mind the limitations of each of these rifles you will be well served. I have found both rifles to be extremely reliable, but then I don't shoot a bunch of cheap ammunition through them. I can't remember ever encountering a jam or failure to feed in either rifle. Having both, I have to say that I give the mini 30 higher marks. In my case, the mini 30 was far more accurate than its .223 counterpart and it uses a .30 caliber bullet to boot. I think that you need not concern yourself with recoil as it is truly insignificant even when compared to the .223. In terms of mini 30 bore size, I think that there is some variability between the older and newer rifles. My particular rifle measues .310 and I have loaded accordingly. Get the mini 30.
Regards,
Phil

chris420entrekin · « **Reply #18 on:** September 15, 2004, 09:41:18 PM »

One other option you have is a kel-tec su-16. For about the same price as the mini. It also fires the .223 and is a bit more accurate than a mini-14. Recoil may be felt a bit more with the su-16, but it is also almost 2 pounds lighter than the mini-14. This fun little rifle has some very neat features. :gun4: I Love rugers though myself, and the mini may have its advantages. Anyway just an idea. Good luck with your rifle of choice! :grin:

PA-Joe · « **Reply #19 on:** September 16, 2004, 01:55:29 AM »

If you look at what is going on in Iraq then go with the 7.62x39! The troops don't like the 223. The USA also just purchased a bunch of 7.62x39 for the new Iraq national police.

S.S. · « **Reply #20 on:** September 16, 2004, 04:34:35 AM »

Maybe the US Gov. will wise up one day and increase
the weight/DIAMETER of the bullets they give our troops to defend
freedom with. OUR good old Garand didn't
have 3 round burst capability..... Why

......
THEY DIDN'T NEED IT ! ONE ROUND WOULD DO THE TRICK!

And give me a slow moving 230 gr. .45 auto slug over a 124 gr.
9mm any day!!!

The M9 bayonet is kinda' likeable(sp) though !
It ain't a K-BAR but its ok!!!

1911crazy · « **Reply #21 on:** September 18, 2004, 02:25:35 AM »

S.Sumner / guys I heard our goverment was going to change the uppers on the M16 to a 6,5 caliber round? I like the 7,62x39 round and i never was interested in the .223 it just never impressed me. I think if they took the 39mm case dimentions and worked up a load with a 6,5 bullet they would have something worth yelling about maybe a 6,5x40mm that sounds about right? I think S.Sumner is right but they need to take their heads out of their butts(our goverment) and stop looking at spray/firepower/waste and look at improved accuracy and saving ammo.
BigBill

I'll take my 45acp over my 9mm anyday I never cared for the 9mm anyway I have them but never carried one for protection.

Yukon Gold · « **Reply #22 on:** October 18, 2004, 06:18:38 AM »

If you are looking for a "fun plinking gun" - then the Mini-14 is the one for me. Although the .308 is a great cartridge - the cost per round is pretty steep.

You can find .223 at amazing low cost - for something to have fun with.

DWARREN123 · « **Reply #23 on:** November 14, 2004, 02:54:02 AM »

I have a Ranch Rifle and Mini-Thirty, both S/S and with aftermarket Houge overmolded stocks. I got different sized gas tubes to change the way it ejects brass. Both will do 3" at 100 yards, better ammo better groups, and both are light, handy semi auto's.
I put peep sights on both, NECG receiver sights.
Fine little rifles that do what they were designed to do.

smg · « **Reply #24 on:** November 20, 2004, 08:03:56 PM »

Ruger claims that the mini 30 is currently made with a .310 - .311 diameter bore and that both the mini 14 and 30 will shoot four inch groups at 100 yards.