Ruger Announces Mini in 6.8 SPC

[Paladin]

For me, this is something I've been waiting a long time to see. More powerful than a .223/5.56, yet a lot lighter and handier than a .308/7.62x51 M1A Scout/SOCOM. If a 3rd party offers decent 10 rnd magazines, it should be a great all-around gun, esp for people in the People's Republik of Kalifornia where it is one of the few Homeland Defense Rifles that haven't been banned (yet!). Note the thicker barrel (also mentioned in: http://www.ruger.com./Firearms/PDF/N...INI-6_8-5P.pdf) which makes it look like it has a shorter barrel. (I could not find images the same size for the comparison.)

Mini-6.8 SPC:



Mini-14:


I haven't done a search of ammo manufacturers, but Remington does offer five 6.8 SPC loads and Hornady offers two.

Assuming someone offers good 10 rnd mags, this will be a nice hunting, 3-Gun comp., and "normal times" home defense rifle (it is relatively "Politically Correct" looking). With 1,000 rnds stored, it will make a great SHTF (e.g., Rodney King riots/Katrina short-term local disaster) rifle. Unless the military adopts the 6.8 and there's a ton of surplus ammo, it will not make a viable TEOTWAWKI/Panic in Year Zero/Red Dawn/Jericho rifle where you'll need years of ammo and/or need to barter for ammo -- get a Mini-14 and/or Mini-30 for that.

I can hardly wait to read some reviews of the heavier barreled Mini-6.8 to find out how accurate it is.

*****
From: http://www.ruger.com/Firearms/N-Firearms_News.htmlhttp://www.ruger.com

[Cato]

Thank you, Sir; I'll take my green American cash elsewhere!

I'm still holding a grudge against the Ruger company because of it's support of passage of AW ban.


Ruger?!, ...BLACH!!!

[bwiese]

Now we might be able to hit the broadside of a barn door at 100 yds in 3 different calibers.

Whoopeedoo.

If I had a Mini14, I'd use it for a tire iron - it's more suitable for that than a rifle, esp w/mag situation.

[Technical Ted]

I haven't done a search of ammo manufacturers, but Remington does offer five 6.8 SPC loads and Hornady offers two.

Remington will be phasing out production of 6.8 SPC ammo over the next two years (They've had many problems with quality, consistency and accuracy). Hornady will continue to manufacture at least three loads: 110 gr V-Max; 115 gr Hornady OTM and a TAP series load. Silver State Armory has four loads: Barnes 110 gr XXX; SSA 115 gr X-Treme; Sierra 110 gr Pro Hunter SPT; Sierra 115 gr Match King; Silver State also produces hotter versions of it's commercial loads for government contracts.

Hornady and Silver State have switched over to small rifle primers.

Load-X and several other small ammo loaders offer various loads for hunting and target shootings well.

I will say this again, 6.8 SPC is never going to be available in low cost quantities to ever be considered "plinking" ammo.

[Technical Ted]

I'm still holding a grudge against the Ruger company because of it's support of passage of AW ban.


Ruger?!, ...BLACH!!!

For that matter, just go with a dedicated 6.8 SPC upper and 10 rd magazines.

[Technical Ted]

Now we might be able to hit the broadside of a barn door at 100 yds in 3 different calibers.

Bill, you never know, they might have tightened up the free bore when they did the drawings for their 6.8 barrel. They may have inadvertently designed a decent barrrel.

[CALI-gula]

I'm still holding a grudge against the Ruger company because of it's support of passage of AW ban. Ruger?!, ...BLACH!!!

..which was a Bill Ruger choice and now he's dead. With S&W making headway into the obvious areas of NOT being PC, I think Sturm/Ruger will soon feel the heat of competition, and have to start offering much more than the pedestrian p-shooters they have banked on for the past 15 years. The new Smith & Wesson is (or has) quickly taking/taken back the lead in being the most sold and most popular firearms in the US.

Equally, many of the guns from EMF/Cimmarron/Berretta owned Uberti, etc. are giving the Blackhawks and Vaqueros a hard time in sales. Smith & Wesson is giving Ruger a hard time in all other areas. The emergence of the "50th Anniversay Limited Edition" xr-framed Blackhawks was surely a sign to trump up sales - I know I capitulated to getting the one of the 50th Annis in .44Mag when Turner's had it on sale at $439. I figured, "how could I go wrong at that price?"

So what option does Ruger have but to get back to some innovative R&D roots, and release some edgier products. The recent release of their "accurized" Mini-14 (which still needs a lot more "accurinzing") and this newest in 6.8, shows that they must be feeling the crunch of need to explore new territories that Big Bill was too PC to tread.

Benelli's RX4 is sure to dominate over the Mini-14 and Sturm/Ruger must already be feeling the pressure from sales of the Kel-Tec's SU-16, even if one considers the SU-16 is not so great either. The average Joe or economy shopper looking at the Mini vs. the Kel-Tec, is sure to get the Kel-Tec because it uses AR mags, and runs about $150 less than the Mini. Ruger better do something with the Mini-14 than just offering another caliber.

With the Federal AW ban over, I woudn't be surprised to see a "Ruger" made AR in the next few years. That is a HUGE market they are losing out on now. Smith realized it, and came out with their M&P AR15 - how long before Sturm/Ruger wakes up to do the same?

And/or offers a Ruger 1911 as well? Hell, even Taurus has a 1911 now!

.

[CALI-gula]

I will say this again, 6.8 SPC is never going to be available in low cost quantities to ever be considered "plinking" ammo.

That statement is so hugely true!

.

[Technical Ted]

With the Federal AW ban over, I woudn't be surprised to see a "Ruger" made AR in the next few years. That is a HUGE market they are losing out on now. Smith realized it. andcmae out with their M&P AR15 - how long before Sturm/Ruger wakes up?

According to someone who took the Ruger armorers course two or three years ago, a shared bit of trivia mentioned that Ruger produces front sight bases for one of the big three AR15 manufacturers. Their facilities also supply OEM parts to other US handgun manufacturers.

[damon1272]

Great a another inaccurate mini in a more expensive caliber. If Ruger got their head roght they would at least make the thing accept AR mags. I love the design of the mini because it is like my M1a but the simialrities stop right their.

[SI-guru]

mini-14 can be made right.
The accuracy system folks did a good job on mine.

[SI-guru]

Also, if you want a mini that pack a bigger punch and for home defense (whatever it means), why not just get a mini-30 where ammo is much cheaper and plenty ?

[dw1784]

According to someone who took the Ruger armorers course two or three years ago, a shared bit of trivia mentioned that Ruger produces front sight bases for one of the big three AR15 manufacturers. Their facilities also supply OEM parts to other US handgun manufacturers.

shhhh, don't tell'm their guns are actually cast by Ruger

[gunrun45]

Ha! Ha! Ha!
It always kills me when people don't know that Ruger make HUGE ammount of parts for most firearms makers. The have the market cornered on investment castings and make everything from golf clubs to rifles.

I am and will ever be a huge ruger fan. Want to make a mini-14 more accurate? Just trim the barrel down to 16 to 17 inches. You will be amazed.

I have a 581 series SS mini-30 that will get me 2 inch groups at 100 yards using a 4MOA red dot sight . I should really scope it. I know it could do better.

[C.G.]

Now we might be able to hit the broadside of a barn door at 100 yds in 3 different calibers.

Whoopeedoo.

If I had a Mini14, I'd use it for a tire iron - it's more suitable for that than a rifle, esp w/mag situation.

Bill, you've managed to crack me up, yet again.