Mini 30 vs Mini 14

[one bullet]

I've always wanted a mini 14. I have a Bushmaster M-4 in .223 so I'm thinking of buying a mini 30. What are the pro's and cons of each caliber in the mini platform? Thanks!

 

[oregon73]

I love my Mini-30! Now that Ruger makes 20-round mags for it, I love it even more.

The only drawback (and it's not really a big deal) is that my Mini-30 doesn't like the cheap imported steel-cased ammo (Wolf, etc.).

But with good brass-cased ammo it will shoot all day long.

My Mini-14's are great, too. Way more fun to shoot than an AR. Not as accurate as an AR (my Mini-14's are all before the barrel redesign, so I don't know if the newer barrels are more accurate or not). I don't think I've even tried Wolf ammo in my Mini-14.

I'd say get one of each!

Rob

 

[Smokngun]

One bullet you can come shoot mine and see what you think.

 

[Old Judge Creek]

I preferred the Mini 30 because the round is a far more versatile cartridge than the 223.

Mine ate the cheap Wolf ammo (and everything else I ever fed it) without a hiccup.

These days I've moved up to a SOCOM 16.

 

[one bullet]

Thanks Nathan, I may take you up on that. Is yours a 30 or 223? Old Judge Creek, your 30 is what I'm leaning to! Definitely stainless. Not sure on the stock.

 

[Double Vision]

I've got a Mini 14 and Mini Thirty and love them both.
I prefer my Mini 14 to my AR-15.
You won't regret getting a Mini Thirty. It's like a 14 with more oomph.

 

[Old Judge Creek]

... Old Judge Creek, your 30 is what I'm leaning to! Definitely stainless. Not sure on the stock.

The stock on mine was a Hogue over molded stock that I band sawed an inch off the butt end. While I wasn't particularly wild about it, it served me well in the desert (around my ranch) when I was packing a 45 ACP sidearm.

The truth told, I much prefer any caliber Trapper length lever rifle, but the Mine 30 definitely filled the 'defensive role' niche in my battery.

 

[mattsbox99]

I have two Mini 14s, one .223 and one in 6.8 SPC and I had a Mini 30. I like my .223 one a lot, I haven't shot the 6.8 yet due to the cold and snow here and my indoor range only allows pistols. The 30 was a nice, accurate, reliable gun with brass, but wouldn't shoot the commie stuff so I sold it. That was before I reloaded so it was just too expensive to shoot.

 

[Smokngun]

Mine is the7.62 x 39 mini 30. It is black synthetic in stainless.

 

[Smokngun]

I have a better spring that can strike the hardest of primers.

 

[Just One Shot]

I have the Mini 30. I just picked it up in a trade at the gun show. I haven't fired it yet but I like that it shoots the inexpensive 7.62X39. Hopefully I can get to the range by next weekend to try it out.

 

[blume357]

Don't expect those 10, 20 & 30 round mags to work very well, especially fully loaded...

Really nice stock!

Be sure to bring some real U.S. made brass cased ammo with you too, just in case.

 

[Divernhunter]

I have one of each. Both are wood with weaver 4X scopes. I like them both. I do not shoot steel case ammo in either and have had no troubles with several different mag manufacters or the different size of the mags or the metal or plastic ones.. Maybe I got lucky on both of mine.

 

[tulsamal]

Don't expect those 10, 20 & 30 round mags to work very well, especially fully loaded...

I'll go along with that if you are talking aftermarket mags. But you can buy brand new Ruger ones now and they should work just fine.

Gregg