Why Won't the Ruger Mini-14 Just Die? [Part 1] [Part 2] is up!! Post #225

[TMB 1]

Originally Posted by Dr. Peter Venkman

This just confirms that it's just as much about nostalgic romance than anything else. I like old guns and I have far, far more of them than I do modern tools. That doesn't mean I need to try to convince people they're just as good or modern stuff is "space age junk". The largest appeal of the mini is appearance, and short of that, not triggering AW laws.

Not really, the Mini is way tougher than the space age KelTec SU 16. Accuracy is not all that different between them and neither trigger AW laws.

[crufflers]

Originally Posted by W.R.Buchanan

We gonna beat it, beat it, Someone gonna get mis-tweeted,,, So beat it!

Randy

Randy didn't you have a SU-16 as well? What is more accurate? The new Mini-14 or the SU-16 Ca?

[Dr. Peter Venkman]

Originally Posted by TMB 1

Not really, the Mini is way tougher than the space age KelTec SU 16. Accuracy is not all that different between them and neither trigger AW laws.

That's a given, don't even have an SU on my radar.

[DrewN]

Now, is a Mini better than an SKS? That's really the comparison, not an AR. Did they make any 5.45 SKS style rifles?

[gwanghoops]

Originally Posted by Dr. Peter Venkman

That's a given, don't even have an SU on my radar.

thumbs up
lots of plastic and screws with some versions a Planet of the Apes replica, nope
sorry if I'm now a gun snob now...

[TMB 1]

Originally Posted by Dr. Peter Venkman

That's a given, don't even have an SU on my radar.

I really like mine, just brought it up because of your response to the space age junk comment.

Kel Tec SU 16 is one of the few the AR guys trash as hard as they do the Mini and some of the Mini guys trash as hard as they do the AR.

Originally Posted by gwanghoops

thumbs up
lots of plastic and screws with some versions a Planet of the Apes replica, nope
sorry if I'm now a gun snob now...

Actually, featureless ARs are closer to Planet of the Apes.

[TMB 1]

Originally Posted by DrewN

Now, is a Mini better than an SKS? That's really the comparison, not an AR. Did they make any 5.45 SKS style rifles?

As far as shooting steel case ammo goes, the Chinese SKS is way better than the older Mini 30. Can't say about the newer Mini 30 or other SKS models.

[crufflers]

Originally Posted by TMB 1

As far as shooting steel case ammo goes, the Chinese SKS is way better than the older Mini 30. Can't say about the newer Mini 30 or other SKS models.

Romanian SKS has zero issues with feeding steel cased.

[Garandimal]

Originally Posted by crufflers

"It is really hard to justify a 6 MOA $1000 rifle in the year 2022."

That sounds like a con.

"You could grab any other 556 rifle off the shelf and it would be better than this".

He must be one of those Mini-14 deniers. I hear the new ones need a minor rub down and they will do 2" and then another massage to get to 1" and maybe a final sprinkling of magic dust to get to 1/2"... that's SUB MOA!!! Case closed. End thread.

Mine's sub-3 MOA... w/ M193/Wolf Gold ball ammo.

Carbine.




GR

[crufflers]

Originally Posted by TMB 1

Kel Tec SU 16 is one of the few the AR guys trash as hard as they do the Mini and some of the Mini guys trash as hard as they do the AR.

I like my SU-16, but it does feel ultra flimsy around joint where it folds and the "bipod" especially, but you get a sub 5 pound rifle, if underbuilt. It is more accurate than a old Mini-14 and some say on par with a new one. I do point out the cons of owning a Mini-14 and a SU-16, but at least I own them.

[Foothills]

I was looking at an Su-27. Legal for civilians to own in Utah apparently.

https://www.globalplanesearch.com/li...-Su-27B/279560

[Garandimal]

Originally Posted by trackhazard

Part 2

Have several thousand M193/Wolf Gold ball rounds through my Series 580 Mini.

Stock - save the shortened butt/rear aperture/swivels and sling/hand guard.

Zero(0.0) stoppages/malfunctions.


Would send that Lucky Gunner rifle back to the Mother Ship.

It has problems.


He also didn't mention the mags he was using.

Ruger OEM have been flawless.




GR

[TMB 1]

Originally Posted by crufflers

I like my SU-16, but it does feel ultra flimsy around joint where it folds and the "bipod" especially, but you get a sub 5 pound rifle, if underbuilt. It is more accurate than a old Mini-14 and some say on par with a new one. I do point out the cons of owning a Mini-14 and a SU-16, but at least I own them.

Same here I have an older Mini 14 made in 87 and an older SU 16 made in 05, accuracy is close with their favorite loads

[W.R.Buchanan]

Originally Posted by crufflers

Randy didn't you have a SU-16 as well? What is more accurate? The new Mini-14 or the SU-16 Ca?

They are about the same, as is my AR (Bushmaster Carbon 15) as is my SCR with the Carbine Upper. All of these are 1-2" guns with my Reloads.

I don't sit and shoot groups!. That group I posted above was the result of Re-Sighting the gun in after moving the optic. I shot one round and it was 6" to the left so I moved the windage right, then fired the one that was 3"
to the left of the group (Out layer) and made another correction. Then the next round and it was around where i wanted it, so I shot 2 more to confirm and they are all in a small cluster, so I fired 2 more so I had 5 and ended up with the Sub MOA group. This all took about 3 minutes. i have to say that I was amazed that my MINI shot that well.

The only time I am going to shoot a group is when I sight in a gun. Otherwise I am going to shoot something with the gun and not waste ammo shooting groups which mean just about nothing !!!.

I am interested in "Acceptable Accuracy." not "Absolute Accuracy."

I don't chase loads either. As soon as I find one that delivers Acceptable Accuracy and is comprised of common components,,, I'm done. Most times this is the first load I try. And in virtually every one of my handloaded calibers this is true. Call it Good Luck? I pick loads from manuals and ones that are the same over several manuals are probably going to work for me. I don't know why it just works out like that for me. Not one to try a bunch of different powders either. I use Common Easy to find powders and seldom use anything made after about 1970. Bullets are either Cast by me or bought in bulk like .223 and .30 cals.

The only load I have chased in the last 20 years was on my .45-70. I started out at 25 gr of 5744 and ended up at 33 gr before I got a Trajectory that I could live with for the intended use. Cast Boolits for that one. That load delivered a 1.75" 3 shot group with iron sights at 100 yards so I was done!

My .223 load is 25 gr of w748/BL-C2 with a bulk Hornady 55 gr FMJBT (.07 each) Runs perfectly in all my Carbines. I wanted something just below a max load of 26 gr.

I have one load that I use for my .308 and .30-06. It was also the first one I tried. 45 gr IMR 4895 with a Recycled 147 gr M80 ball FMJBT. That load in my Ruger Scout delivered a 7/8" group the first time out and duplicated it a couple of other times. I got a 4 3/4" three shot group on the 500 Meter Silhouette Ram at Piru CA with it too.

Same load for .30-06 and my most accurate .30-06 is a Ruger Guide Gun, that was just over 1" at 100 yds. That gun has a 1-5x Leupold scope mounted and probably could have tightened it up with a higher power scope, but no reason to as it was more than accurate enough for anything I'd ever do with that gun. I shot a 13/40 in HP Silhouette with that gun which is about as good as I ever have done in that game. It will also work in my other Springfield .30-06's as they all have iron sights. This load was a common Load duplicating Factory loaded M2 Ball ammo for M1 Garand's.

Anyway that's what I do. feel free to use any of it. None of the loads discussed above is anything close to a max load.

I am not a Max Load kind of guy!

Randy

[W.R.Buchanan]

Oh and that bipod on the SU16 is useless IMHO! My gun was bought used for $400 and came with the M4 fore end already attached. I like it a lot.

Do make sure your irons are zeroed before mounting an Optic. Randy

[golfish]

Originally Posted by DrewN

Now, is a Mini better than an SKS? That's really the comparison, not an AR. Did they make any 5.45 SKS style rifles?

I'd rather shoot my Mini 30 than my SKS. Its more accurate and easier to load.

[crufflers]

Originally Posted by golfish

I'd rather shoot my Mini 30 than my SKS. Its more accurate and easier to load.

I always though the SKS was a joy to shoot and load, but I keep my ammo on good (smooth) stripper clips. I'm sure they vary but my Romy is right on for an iron sight gun.

[DrewN]

I wonder how hard it would be to make a 5.56 SKS "clone" that took AR mags?

[tacticalcity]

I stand by my earlier statement.

[DrewN]

Originally Posted by tacticalcity

I stand by my earlier statement.

M1 Carbine is my favorite rifle, so speculating about making stuff in that "niche' isn't a dig against the Mini. I have 2. I'd even be happy with a modern Deerfield if it held more than 4.

[tacticalcity]

Originally Posted by DrewN

M1 Carbine is my favorite rifle, so speculating about making stuff in that "niche' isn't a dig against the Mini. I have 2. I'd even be happy with a modern Deerfield if it held more than 4.

I am pretty much an AR guy myself. But I am all for people owning everything under the sun. These always had a "modern rancher" feel to me. Like the natural successor to the lever gun of old. Seen them used as such, and it always made sense to me. So that image stuck in my mind. But I grew up watching the A-Team...so that image is stuck in my head too.

[imarangemaster]

I have been shooting my various Minis since about 1982 (ARs since 1974, and AKs since 1986), and have never had a malfunction when using Ruger factory mags. The only malfunctions I have had are with aftermarket mags.

[FeuerFrei]

[FeuerFrei]

[SDcollector]

Yet the fact it won't die, must be eating you up inside...

[Garand Hunter]

Mr El Squid, I have two Springfields, a 03A3 and a 03. Just as good is the Garand. Whatever floats your boat.

Psalm 1

[crufflers]

Originally Posted by SDcollector

Yet the fact it won't die, must be eating you up inside...

First world problems.

[RNE228]

I have a 1861 Springfield reproduction. Throws a big 58 cal hunk of 460gr Minie lead

Also smokes out the AR guys on the bench next to me

Originally Posted by Garand Hunter

Mr El Squid, I have two Springfields, a 03A3 and a 03. Just as good is the Garand. Whatever floats your boat.

[golfish]

Originally Posted by crufflers

I always though the SKS was a joy to shoot and load, but I keep my ammo on good (smooth) stripper clips. I'm sure they vary but my Romy is right on for an iron sight gun.

So your saying your SKS is easier to load and is more accurate then your Mini 30?

[trackhazard]

[crufflers]

Originally Posted by golfish

So your saying your SKS is easier to load and is more accurate then your Mini 30?

I don't have a Mini-30 and have never shot one. My SKS always shot the dirt cheap Russian fodder and hit whatever I aimed at. I can't say that about my Mini-14. I never shot my SKS real far out either though.

As far as easy to load... you just grab a stripper and shove it. Not much is easier.

[jarhead714]

Originally Posted by trackhazard

Past 350 consistently inconsistent.

[golfish]

Let's not let this thread die....

Here's my mini 30 and mini 14. The 30 is a 189 series and I purchased the 14 new earlier this year. Well built and great shooters.