Mini 14 Ammo

[para38super]

I own a Mini 14 223 rem and wanted to know what is the best ammo for self defence. Should I go with a heavier or lighter gr. I currently have Winchester JHP 45gr in it. Is that ammo good or should I go heavier.

[Desertfox]

It all depends how far is your "self defense" object.? If close range like in your home, than it doesn't matter, all does the same job.

[Beelzy]

Heavier, unless blowing little chunks off of intruders is your primary intention.

Too much blood for my liking, heck a melon shot would take days to clean up.

[kato4moto]

Study the AR15.com Self-defense Ammo FAQ: http://ammo.ar15.com/project/Self_De..._FAQ/index.htm

[para38super]

Study the AR15.com Self-defense Ammo FAQ: http://ammo.ar15.com/project/Self_De..._FAQ/index.htm

Good article. Do you happend to know what twist a mini 14 has.

[kato4moto]

Good article. Do you happend to know what twist a mini 14 has.

I believe all current Mini 14s have a 1:9 twist. Older ones might have been 1:12, but don't quote me on that. You might find the info in your owner's manual for your particular rifle; I just checked the Ruger site.

[sargenv]

You also want to heed Ruger's warning about only using 223 Remington ammo. It is not designed for use with the hotter Military 5.56 ammo.

[Sunwolf]

Older mini`s had a 1:10 if I recall correctly.

[para38super]

Mine was made in the 90's. So what ammo do you guys use for .223 rem.

[kato4moto]

If sargenv is correct--and I have no reason to question him--then do not use 5.56 x 45mm NATO-spec ammo like XM193, XM855, the 5.56 Hornady TAP, Black Hills Mk 262 Mod 0 & 1, etc.

As long as the ammo is .223 Remington-spec, it should be fine in your rifle.

As sargenv indicates, 5.56 is a hotter load with higher pressures than allowed by SAAMI specs. IIRC, there are also minute differences in chamber dimensions around the neck (leade, perhaps?). So, just stick to ammo that's labeled .223 Remington and you and your Mini 14 should be fine. There are plenty of good options in .223 Remington for SD/HD use in the above-mentioned FAQ.

[maxicon]

Minis had a several different twists over the years. Here's a set of guidelines I got from another web site, but you may want to measure to be sure.

series 180- made in the 70's
rifling 1:10, has a wood hand guard with metal band and the bolt lock is protruding

series 181-182 made in the early 80's
rifling 1:10, wood hand guard no band, current bolt lock design introduced.

series 182-185 made mid 80's
rifling 1:10, plastic hand guard introduced

series 186- made late 80's early 90's
rifling 1:7, ranch rifle introduced about this time

series 196- made 90's 2000's
rifling 1:9

series 197- made 2005-current
rifling 1:9, new front and rear sight, new stock buttplate, new receiver design styling

[sorensen440]

sp's and hp's mid weight

[Larry]

You also want to heed Ruger's warning about only using 223 Remington ammo. It is not designed for use with the hotter Military 5.56 ammo.

Larry

[handirifle]

I'd like to adress a couple bits of misinformation about the mini that I see here.
first is the twist rate, from Ruger.
****************************
TWIST RATE FOR MINI-14

1978-1985 = 1 in 10" (e.g., 181 series)
1986-1994 = 1 in 7"
1995-2004 = 1 in 9" (e.g., 197 series).
2005- = 1 in 9"
So if you know your year of mfg, you're good to go. (Ref above post)

TWIST RATE FOR MINI-30

ALL MINI-30 = 1 in 10"

Otherwise, you can check by pulling out a tight fitting patch from the bore with the cleaning rod marked so you can count one complete rev - then simply measure the distance the rod came out. I did this and came pretty close to what my 196 actually is (1 in 9").
************************8

Next is this statement

You also want to heed Ruger's warning about only using 223 Remington ammo. It is not designed for use with the hotter Military 5.56 ammo.

Go here, http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firear...Manuals/55.pdfhttp://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firear...anuals-RI.html, and look at EVERY model of mini 14 listed, even out of production models, it says the exact same thing.

For me, I'd use a std 55gr soft point. It will open enough to do considerable damage and not limit your longer range effectiveness like the 40gr pill would.

[chico.cm]

You'll want to go here for the most concise, Mini friendly forum on the net.

Here is a link on twist rates, etc for each year of the Mini 14.