Opinions on the Ruger Mini 14/30

[LibertyorDeath]

Hello I was just wondering what people thought of the Mini 14/30 I kinda want to get one but am not sure

A) Where the best place to get a deal would be other than the local gun store which is kind of expensive

B) which caliber to get considering the 7.62x39 ammo is dirt cheap whereas the .223 ammo is quite expensive.

C) would you want to put south African military surplus ammo in a 1000 dollar gun

thanks for answering my stupid question

P.S also if anyone has any pictures of one in a Tapco Fusion tactical stalk would be interested in seeing it as that is what I would be getting right away
thanks

 

[reid134]

A) not sure
B)7.62x39 for the veritiaty of it hunting and target
C) I would BUT clean it afterwards.

anyone else?

 

[Broker]

I've owned a Mini-14 and sold it and bought a Rock River Arms AR15 Carbine.

You can get legal 10 round magazines from Questar and the AR15s these days are super accurate and reliable. RRA guarantees 1 MOA and I have never had a problem with mine.
There are thousands of extras you can get for it, dozens of different configerations and it is very simple to clean and operate.

Spend a little bit more and buy an AR 15 and you will be a lot happier.

 

[tiriaq]

Except, of course, the Ruger can be used for hunting.
If you are shooting the cheap 7.62 M43 ammunition in a Mini-30, your will become very proficient at detail stripping and cleaning the rifle. Surplus 7.62x39 ammunition is cheap at present, soft point is more expensive.
.223 ammunition is a bit more costly, there does not seem to be any great supply of surplus ammunition at present.
Current production Minis are thought to be more accurate than previously, the Target version is quite a good shooter.
Watch the EE for rifles for sale. Buying new at retail from a small shop can be more expensive than from a large mail order seller.

 

[hfp75]

I would pose a few things...

1 - Do you want to toss it into your truck and drive off with it and shoot it in a feild? If yes, then dont get anything 'Restricted'. The Mini-14 is non-restricted and that is a great bonus.

2 - I like the Mini, BUT they are not overly accurate. Due to the slender barrel profile they have poor barrel harmonics and heat up quick. As they heat up the groups you shoot get bigger. My understanding is that the new Minis have a better barrel but I dont know as I dont own one.

3 - They go BANG - EVERY TIME. If you never clean your Mini it will still work fine. Other semis that have 'dirty gas' (soot) enter the receiver to cycle the action get DIRTY and require cleaning. So ask yourself how often you plan to srtip and clean your gun......

4 - Minis can be hard to get mags for and pricey, they also have a 5 round limit. Universal AR mags are cheeper, more available and have 5 and 10 rounds as options.

5 - Mini parts are avail if you need them... not plentiful, but available.

Most guys hate the mini BUT for what it is used for it works just fine. If you want you can also order a few replacement parts and create a great gun.... there is more online State side about minis that are reworked as precision rifles...