Advice on choosing between a Mini Thirty (7.62x39) and a Mini 14 (6.8 mm)

[Saboteur]

Good Day
I’m currently looks for a short to medium ranged hunting rifle as I already have a 30.06. I am not a very tall guy and a lefty as such I would like a shorter rifle. I know most of you are going to laugh at my choices however I tried the father in laws mini thirty last year and loved it. It was very accurate and quite accommodating to my needs. With that being said I am currently looking at a Mini 30 (7.62 x 39) However after I did some checking I found Mini 14 comes in a 6.8 mm. After doing some more checking I’m was quite impressed by the ballistics of the 6.8 mm. As a result of some research I understand that both have pros and cons to both. However I’m now currently torn between the two. I was hoping that people might be able to offer me some advice on the two. Thank you.

 

[BCRider]

What are you hunting with it? If it's up to medium deer then the classic round is a .30-30 and the classic way to deliver them is with a lever rifle. As a lefty I'd suggest a Winchester 94 or one of the modern clones of this. The cases are ejected straight up so it's totally ambidextrous other than the loading gate is on the right hand side.

 

[savage express]

7.62X39 Ammo is dirt cheap (although corrosive) compared to 6.8 spc. So if your planning to shoot lots I'd go with the Mini-30.
There is a good site devoted to the Mini @ Perfect Union.com

 

[sgt.rock]

short-med range.........try a 444 marlin like mine. I love it, and with my red dot sight, she hits and bowls over everything I point it at. I friggin love it, and levers are, as mentioned above, ambidextrous.

 

[Saboteur]

Thank you all for your replies. The imput helped grealty as such I will be going with th e mini thirty. Thank again.

 

[mike shickele]

Given your choices, I would go with the mini 30. Even handloads are cheaper, as the bullets that function well in the 6.8 are expensive. 6.8 brass is mor expensive. I don't know if the 6.8 is going to be around for long; I wonder if the round has failed even in the hands of the US military.
Mike

 

[carbonrod]

I think that you will find many lever rifles that are much more accurate/reliable then a mini-anything. The lever rifles will probably also be chambered in a much better hunting cartridge then the minis as well.

 

[NAA]

Mini 30

Me, I'd take the Mini 30.

NAA.

 

[BigUglyMan]

If I wanted a hunting rifle in 7.62x39 I would look for a used Ruger M77. A buddy of mine has one and you get all the benefits of a the Mini-30 - short rifle, cheap practice ammo and good short range performance without the poor accuracy that seems to plague the Minis.