Any Mini 30 fans?

O

oldguner

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Hey I will be getting a used one soon, There seems they are not talked about much, what are some of your favorite modes for it, what can I expect with accuracy, or any pros and cons? and what the going rate for a good stainless steel used one? Thanks for the input
 
Typical 'minute of barn' accuracy was the best I could get out of several units I've had over the years.
They don't do well on a diet of mil-surp steel cased ammunition, and that was the only reason for owing one, IMHO.
 
foxbat said:
Typical 'minute of barn' accuracy was the best I could get out of several units I've had over the years.
They don't do well on a diet of mil-surp steel cased ammunition, and that was the only reason for owing one, IMHO.
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I have one And I love it for the diet question of steel case I solve the problem with a new firing pin now this picky snowflake eats everything!
This fits mini 30
View attachment 253472
 
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boss of mine picked one up years ago and i have been stalking it for years.
i finally got it off him a month or so ago.
exactly the same as my mini14 just shooting a bit bigger ammo of course.

only mod ive done is put it back on its original stock, he had it on a ATI stock.
i would like to pick up a wood stock for it but i decided before i picked it up i was not going to do anything to this one.
(my mini 14 i did EVERYTHING too, accustrut, stock, optics ect ect ect)

so for my mini 30 (stainless) all ive done to it is pick up a bunch of mags.
couple 5 rounds ones (Ruger)
couple 5/20 round ones (Ruger)
and 3x 3/30 round KCI ones.

i think im going to pick up a scope for it, just a simple plinking scope and that is all im going to do for it, unless i can find a wood stock, i think id like to put it on a wood stock if the opportunity should come.

as for price, my Boss picked it up brand new from the LGS for $820 about 10 years ago.
i got it off him for $700 and he probably didnt even put a box of ammo through it.
 
Don't own a 30 but have the mini 14 after having a number of NR 223 rifles the mini is the best ar alternative. For mods look at stocks, optics, barrel stabilizers(accustrut), 1911 buffers, adjustable gas block. Price would depend on series of rifle.
 
wayupnorth said:
boss of mine picked one up years ago and i have been stalking it for years.
i finally got it off him a month or so ago.
exactly the same as my mini14 just shooting a bit bigger ammo of course.

only mod ive done is put it back on its original stock, he had it on a ATI stock.
i would like to pick up a wood stock for it but i decided before i picked it up i was not going to do anything to this one.
(my mini 14 i did EVERYTHING too, accustrut, stock, optics ect ect ect)

so for my mini 30 (stainless) all ive done to it is pick up a bunch of mags.
couple 5 rounds ones (Ruger)
couple 5/20 round ones (Ruger)
and 3x 3/30 round KCI ones.

i think im going to pick up a scope for it, just a simple plinking scope and that is all im going to do for it, unless i can find a wood stock, i think id like to put it on a wood stock if the opportunity should come.

as for price, my Boss picked it up brand new from the LGS for $820 about 10 years ago.
i got it off him for $700 and he probably didnt even put a box of ammo through it.
Click to expand...

Nice Score do your kci are pinned or crushed ? Boyd make nice stock too
 
I've thought about getting one but other than being magazine fed it doesn't do anything my sks can't lol
 
Bought a new stainless synthetic mini 30 about 17 yrs ago from Lever. When the Russian SKSs arrived, turned out they were a bit more accurate and did not have the feeding issues of my mini 30 using surplus steel cased ammo. To be fair, a friend told me that polishing the mini 30’s chamber would fix my mini 30.

Anyways, traded away the mini 30. Haven’t really regretted getting rid of it, except including an original Aimpoint 3000 with it.

The stainless mini 14 with original Ruger folding stock, I had in a previous life, is another matter. Sure it was only 3-4 minute accurate, but dead reliable and so handy. Still miss it sometimes.
 
I've always wanted one and unlike most of my other toys it could be used for hunting. New ones have increased in price considerably but I still check the EE every now and then looking for a used one. Lighter than an SKS, easy to mount optics. Just a good all purpose rifle.
 
I'd love to add a mini30 but it'd have a very niche use in my area and I just can't afford such a firearm at the moment.
 
I've recently decided to get one, if for nothing else than being a good all round rifle for a student budget. I keep wanting the big boy stuff and then realizing I can't afford to shoot it very much. I did a ton of research on them as I do with any purchase, and came to the conclusion that I knew its limitations and was happy with them. They are handsome rifles, especially with a 5/20 in em!

I remember shooting my friends mini 30 back in the day, and it was a light and handy feeling rifle, I quite enjoyed it. Looking forwards to getting my hands on one.
 
#1bcshooter said:
I have twins 14&30 ;)

ebIOaYZl.jpg
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Why do I hear the A Team theme music playing?
 
Mostly for comfort but Hogue stocks are nice. Good complement to this handy rugged rifle that already feels good in the hands.

Ruger factory mags are the best.

Newer generation with the thicker taper barrel is a bit more accurate but feel a bit cheaper. The heel marking seems printed instead of stamped/engraved. Receiver, charging-handle and bolt machining and finish are rough and may benefit polite deburing.

Older generation had taller sights that can cowitness a reddot on a Ultimak rail.

Trigger is not too hard to smoothen, look at youtube nutnfancy video.

Oh and don't use the aftermarket recoil buffer. The bolt should be stopped by the receiver, not the handle.
 
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Loving my mini 30. it can hunt, it can plink, it can shoot cheap ammo (not surplus), its easy to take down and clean, its small and handy, low recoil and my newer model is actually accurate. I shoot S&B and Hornady SST.....Get solid results.

Note: Ruger recommends against using 'non-domestic' (ie cheap surplus) ammo - the mini likes regular primers not the hard ones. You will have FTF issues if you run cheap foreign junk thru the rifle. So buy an SKS if you want to shoot cheapo surplus. Enjoy!
 
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