I have been waiting for some time to get a mini 30 to round out my mini collection. Finally got one and took it to the range recently to wring it out. It is one of the 580 series. Ruger has definitely worked on those pencil thin barrels. It is much thicker and made a difference or at least it appeared to on this particular rifle.
I was impressed by the trigger on this one. It is much cleaner than on my 6.8 SPC. The action was smooth and very positive as was expected. Say what you want about Mini's- they function very well- no FTF, no FTE and no the "other FTF". I decided to mount a Bushnell 3200 Elite 2 x 7 as I don't plan on shooting much over 100 m with this rifle. It isn't a long range rifle but perfect for the bush around here. Scope is light and compact in keeping with the rifle. I like the duplex reticle and it is a very clear scope with positive clicks and accurate, repeat settings.
I have been reading that some owners have had issues with the mags for this caliber and feeding problems with them but that was not the case for me. I have a number of mags with it and they all function consistently. I shoot reloads only in my 7.62 x 39's (no corrosive) and this rifle was no exception. I tried 123 gr. fmj's (Privi Partizan) with H322 and H4198 powder with 123 gr V Max Hornady's. While it was no surprise that the VMax would be more accurate I was impressed at how accurate it was.
I have been chronographing a number of loads this winter and took along the Oehler 33 to check out my reloads for the mini 30. I fired 10 rounds at a time over the skyscreens while sighting in and shooting for groups. After sighting in I fired for groups at 100 meters. The best group of ten shots was
2.044 inches with the Vmax bullet. The wind was gusting from right to left quite briskly- flags were flapping straight out. I tried to shoot between gusts. I was happy that there weren't the random flyers that Minis are known for. Average velocities for both bullets was 2125 fps which is kind of interesting as I used two different powders- one close to max and the other about mid range. Standard deviation was different however and the Vmax was much better but not as good as I had hoped for. The SD with the Vmax for ten shots was 24.
I think that with some proper additions to this mini I can improve the groups. I would like to find a Guntech or someone else who will do a decent trigger job. I have ordered a Mo Rod for it and this, hopefully, will help shrink these groups. I haven't finished with load development yet either. I want to boost the velocities using H4198. The H322 is close to max and the velocities correspond to Hornady's load tables. I could bump it up a bit more. I have lots of latitude left with the H4198 and it will give the highest velocities according to the Hornady tables. There may be an accuracy increase as well.
According to what I have been able to research, one of the most helpful additions to a mini is a good quality muzzle brake. While talking to Kelly at Mo-Rod he showed me a prototype for the mini 30 and mini 6.8 that will soon be ready. (It is also on the Perfect Union website.) It incorporates a new front sight as well as the muzzle brake itself. It is called the Reaper and I have one on order as soon as it is in production which he says will be soon. He is already selling the Reaper for older, thinner barreled mini 14's.
I will be making up some hunting loads next with the Hornady 123 SP which I am hoping will give the same or similar results as the Vmax. At the moment, any coyote within 150 m is in trouble with this rifle.
I really like this model of the mini. I feel confident shooting it and will try it on deer this fall. It is a blast to plink with and I can see it going on a lot of quad trips with me this spring. Way to go, Ruger! You have restored my confidence in the mini.
Chronograph Set Up
Ready to sight in.
Best 10 Shot group with VMax bullet
Reaper Prototype
I was impressed by the trigger on this one. It is much cleaner than on my 6.8 SPC. The action was smooth and very positive as was expected. Say what you want about Mini's- they function very well- no FTF, no FTE and no the "other FTF". I decided to mount a Bushnell 3200 Elite 2 x 7 as I don't plan on shooting much over 100 m with this rifle. It isn't a long range rifle but perfect for the bush around here. Scope is light and compact in keeping with the rifle. I like the duplex reticle and it is a very clear scope with positive clicks and accurate, repeat settings.
I have been reading that some owners have had issues with the mags for this caliber and feeding problems with them but that was not the case for me. I have a number of mags with it and they all function consistently. I shoot reloads only in my 7.62 x 39's (no corrosive) and this rifle was no exception. I tried 123 gr. fmj's (Privi Partizan) with H322 and H4198 powder with 123 gr V Max Hornady's. While it was no surprise that the VMax would be more accurate I was impressed at how accurate it was.
I have been chronographing a number of loads this winter and took along the Oehler 33 to check out my reloads for the mini 30. I fired 10 rounds at a time over the skyscreens while sighting in and shooting for groups. After sighting in I fired for groups at 100 meters. The best group of ten shots was
2.044 inches with the Vmax bullet. The wind was gusting from right to left quite briskly- flags were flapping straight out. I tried to shoot between gusts. I was happy that there weren't the random flyers that Minis are known for. Average velocities for both bullets was 2125 fps which is kind of interesting as I used two different powders- one close to max and the other about mid range. Standard deviation was different however and the Vmax was much better but not as good as I had hoped for. The SD with the Vmax for ten shots was 24.
I think that with some proper additions to this mini I can improve the groups. I would like to find a Guntech or someone else who will do a decent trigger job. I have ordered a Mo Rod for it and this, hopefully, will help shrink these groups. I haven't finished with load development yet either. I want to boost the velocities using H4198. The H322 is close to max and the velocities correspond to Hornady's load tables. I could bump it up a bit more. I have lots of latitude left with the H4198 and it will give the highest velocities according to the Hornady tables. There may be an accuracy increase as well.
According to what I have been able to research, one of the most helpful additions to a mini is a good quality muzzle brake. While talking to Kelly at Mo-Rod he showed me a prototype for the mini 30 and mini 6.8 that will soon be ready. (It is also on the Perfect Union website.) It incorporates a new front sight as well as the muzzle brake itself. It is called the Reaper and I have one on order as soon as it is in production which he says will be soon. He is already selling the Reaper for older, thinner barreled mini 14's.
I will be making up some hunting loads next with the Hornady 123 SP which I am hoping will give the same or similar results as the Vmax. At the moment, any coyote within 150 m is in trouble with this rifle.
I really like this model of the mini. I feel confident shooting it and will try it on deer this fall. It is a blast to plink with and I can see it going on a lot of quad trips with me this spring. Way to go, Ruger! You have restored my confidence in the mini.
Chronograph Set Up
Ready to sight in.
Best 10 Shot group with VMax bullet
Reaper Prototype
