This will be a range and recreation rifle as I don't hunt. It will also be one of the new Mini's so I can take advantage of all the new fangeled engineering that Ruger has come up with. The question is which one and why?

Question:
Which one and why?

Choices:
Mini 14
Mini 30

 

223. For ammo commonality with the AR. And whatever the choice, it should be Ranch Rifle.

30... Cheap ammo and ability to be used for larger game if needed.

I don't have one, but I want one.

Mini 30. If you want a .223/5.56, I think an AR makes more sense, particularly at the giveaway prices you can find on one now. And now you can buy high capacity 7.62x39 magazines for the Mini 30 that are made by Ruger and actually work reliably.

Other types of semiauto rifles chambered for the Russian round are kinda expensive, and not really scope friendly.

The -14 is much more pleasant to fire and hey.. the A-team never used no commie rounds.

I've owned both. I still have my -14. Sold the -30 years ago. It only really liked brass cased ammo and I wasn't keen on running foreign steel case through it. That's what AKs and SKSs are for.

I came very close to buying a Mini-30, even purchased factory 20 rounders for it.

Maybe things are different now, but back when I was about to buy one, I discovered that these rifles had a reputation for breaking firing pins. I'm guessing the hard primers on ComBloc ammo were the major contributing factor. The degree of firing pin protrusion at the bolt face in any particular rifle seems perhaps to have been a factor as well.

I imagine that the Mini-30 bolts are fitted, just as in the Mini-14- therefore, a broken firing pin in one of these rifles is a much bigger deal than with, say, an AR-15. Ruger won't sell you a bolt or a firing pin. Your rifle would require servicing by Ruger.
Please don't take my word for this. The information is to be found online and perhaps this is a thing of the past.

On the other hand, I have in the past maintained a Mini-14 for home defense, a role in which the rifle excels IMO, and have never once given a thought to such a failure in my rifle.

I vote Mini 14. I've owned one for years and shot nothing but steel cased ammo through it and the gun has not complained once.
One bit of caution is that I only use the factory 20 round mags. From what I hear, anything else may be problematic.

Both??

quote:

Originally posted by arfmel:
Mini 30. If you want a .223/5.56, I think an AR makes more sense, particularly at the giveaway prices you can find on one now.

I voted Mini 30 as well for the reasons arfmel said as well. I had one back in the 90's and liked it but traded it towards an AK. I wouldn't mind having one again someday.

I voted .223 - only because I kept my 580 Series Mini-14 and sold my 580 Series Mini-Thirty. Both are fantastic rifles, but as an inexpensive 7.62x39mm plinker I prefer my Russian SKS. Good luck with your decision.

I have a Mini14 Tac in 300BO. This is a cool rifle and mine has been more accurate than all other Minis I've had and I'm guessing it's due to the shorter/thicker barrel. Larger caliber like the 30, but better suppressed. More expensive to shoot, but mine functioned with both sub and super-sonic ammo without a can.

Poll fail. 6.8 SPC Ranch Rifle. Discontinued but plenty in the used market.

The Mini-14 is also available in .300 Blackout:
http://www.ruger-firearms.com/...specSheets/5864.html

I had a Mini 30 and I wouldn't own one again. The 20 round factory mags are the only reliable ones. I have been looking for a used Mini 14 off and on for some time. Why? I like the rifle.

quote:

Originally posted by Blackmore:
Poll fail. 6.8 SPC Ranch Rifle. Discontinued but plenty in the used market.

6.8 never really caught on. Now a Mini in 6.5 Creedmore, that I could get into.

I traded for one of the newer Mini-30s a few years ago. It has a green Hi-Viz front sight that helps my old eyes see what I am shooting. I know you said you don't hunt but it is a top notch, lightweight hog gun. I wouldn't trade it away for much of anything at this point. A pleasure to shoot.
bb

I've had my 180 series since I was a teen, (my first rifle)

not the most accurate, but it is reliable,

and yes, aftermarket mags suck, however there are plenty of Ruger mags available

I think my answer would be dependent on knowing what other calibers you already own. If you already have a .223, I would get the .30. If you already have a .30, I would get the .223. I have a Mini 14 I purchased new about 1976 or 77. I was not pleased with its accuracy. A few years later I got an AR180. It is more accurate then the Mini 14. A few years after that, I got a Colt HBar. It is also more accurate then the Mini. My view of the Mini may have been hurt by Ruger's refusal for many years to sell magazines that hold over 5 rounds to civilians. But I think I would buy an AR15 in 5.56 and an AK in 7.62x39 before buying a Ruger Mini 14 or 30.

Welp, I have both! Both are the newer heavy barrel Tactical models with the plain synthetic stock. The 30 has been 100% with all steel case fired. I can shoot the 14 quite a bit faster just because of muzzle climb, but both are a ton of fun, and something about them makes them very satisfying to shoot.

I voted Mini-14, because I have a 580 series. I already had a spare scope and bipod, so off to the range. Ideal conditions and very slow fire, after getting a good zero, I was able to get a 1 inch 3 shot group at 200 yards. Then I left the range!