Mini in 6.8?

[sebtool]

Anybody out there tried the Mini 14 in 6.8? I'm due for another rifle.... soon.... I'm working on it anyway!

I've got a 180 series Mini 14 that I like pretty well, it's pretty accurate for a Mini, from what I read here. Only 1 I've ever shot.

I really wanted to replace the M1A I sold a couple of years ago, but I'm not sure that's going to be feasible. Life goes on.

I LIKE the Mini platform, don't really want to get into the ARs, tho I have been looking at the AR-10/LAR-8 packages. Fairly nice for a 'black rifle'. :roll:

My question/s on the Mini 6.8 -
1- How's the accuracy and reliability? The newer Minis with the heavier barrels = better accuracy?

2- Is the 6.8 the jump up in ballistic 'stopping power' that the 'gurus' say it is? Sounds like a better hunting round - more energy, supposedly more 'inherently accurate' than a .223/5.56 platform.

3- Ammo - I know it's going to be more expensive to shoot. What about reloading? Is it that much more if you roll your own? When I get into a new caliber I normally buy a few boxes of factory ammo for both a perfomance baseline, and the brass. But prefer to take it from there myself.

4- Do you think it's worth the extra expense to step up from a .223 or 7.62 x 39? That's a cartridge I never really warmed up to, but there's no doubt it's an effective round in it's own right, within it's limitations.

What do you think?
- Newer Mini 14=faster rifling for heavier bullets than the old 180? Ain't worth a squirt with anything over 55 gr, doesn't like the 62 gr bullets.

- Mini 30?

- Mini 14 6.8?

Decision, decisions..... :lol:

 

[boaman88]

Ruger uses the wrong chamber and barrel twist for optimal performance from the 6.8. Your best bet if your really interested in the cartridge is go the 6.8 forums. You can find answers to all your questions there.


http://68forums.com/

 

[308dave]

Mine has worked great on 3 MN whitetails - even if it does have the "wrong" chamber. Boaman88 is referring to the "spec II" chamber developed to improve combat performance but I only use mine for deer hunting and don't have a need for it. I've always liked the Mini platform and up until 2 years ago, the 223 was illegal for deer in MN. Like you, I never really liked the 7.62 X 39, even though it would be plenty of power for the ranges I shoot deer at. When I read about the 6.8 I did a little homework and found one on GB. Ammo was a bit of a problem until I found out about SSA (Silver State Armory). I've had no problems getting it from them at reasonable prices, and it works great.

My 6.8 Ranch groups 1 1/2" to 3" at 100 yds - minute of deer - and none of the 3 deer travelled too far after the shot (heart/lung shots). I've shot deer with the 308, 7mm-08, 270, 243, 44 mag, and 6.8 - all have worked well when I placed the shot properly. As long as I can get ammo for it, the 6.8 will be my deer rifle. It fits my 5' 7" frame well, handles well, and allows me a quick 2nd shot if needed.

The final decision is yours but I hope this helps.

 

[JerBear]

I've had mine for nearly 3 years and have fired ~1200 rounds through it, mostly reloads, and really enjoy shooting the 6.8. Below is my response to your ?'s.

1- Mine's accurate, most reloads will shoot between 1 to 2 inches at 100 yards and Silver State Armory and Hornady factory ammo (I've avoided Remington stuff because they use large primer brass) will shoot 1.5 to 3 inches.

2- Many have discovered the 6.8 to be a great hunting round. Check out the hunting section of 68forums.com for lots of hunting reports and pics.

3- Good ammo will cost $20 to $30 per 20, like most hunting rounds. For factory hunting loads, I suggest SSA's 100 gr. Accubonds, 110 Sierra ProHunters or 85 gr. Barnes on this page: http://www.ssarmory.com/6.8ammunitionsales.aspx. I agree with you on reloading. I get 8 to 10 reloads from SSA brass and I like to shoot 90 gr. Speer TNT's for plinking. Cost for reloading existing brass is about 35 cents per round.

4- You should be able to get a 6.8 mini for about the same $ as the .223 or 7.62 x 39. I paid $620 for mine in August 2007.

Concerning the original SAAMI versus the SPC II chambers--the mini will shoot all factory ammo EXCEPT combat or tactical loads and on other forums you can find a reamer to rent to open up the throat to SPC II specs, so I wouldn't let that issue keep me from buying the 6.8 again.

Based on my experiences and especially now that ProMag is selling 10 and 20 round mags, I highly recommend the Mini in 6.8.

 

[mattsbox99]

I also like the Mini in 6.8 SPC. I don't like the 7.62x39 or really anything Commie, and the 6.8 has boat loads more stopping power than the .223. Cost to reload is the same to a few cents more, ammo is harder to get, but not more expensive that similar quality .223 ammo, cheap mil surp .223 is a lot cheaper, but I'm a reloader, I don't pay shelf prices for ammo.

The Mini is a great gun, there are plenty of haters out there, I've had my fill of them. I think you'll really like the Mini in 6.8. Its BA.

 

[blume357]

I voted for a newer .223 just because you can get into too many calibers... but then that might just be me since I think one should have at least a thousand rounds in every caliber of gun you own.

It sounds like if you were going to hunt with the rifle, 6.8 might be the way to go... I'd still stick with .223 if all you are doing is killing paper and such.

 

[sebtool]

All good info, and I appreciate it. I do plan to hunt with the rifle if I get it.

I was really leaning towards a tactical model for the short heavy barrel, but that handy barrel length takes a bit away from the effectiveness of the .223, which doesn't help. IIRC, the basic rule of thumb turned out to be about 50 fps for every inch the barrel's shortened, based on several 'gun guru' tests over the years in the magazines. Varies by caliber and starting barrel length, of course.

I've even considered buying a beater ranch rifle, if such a thing can be found these days :roll: and mounting a heavier 18-20 in barrel, maybe even looking at re-chambering for a more effective round. The .260 Remington was the 1st 1 that came to mind, but again, more reseach to see if it's even feasible. That would be a nice set up tho, wouldn't it? :wink: A mini 30 would be the way to go with that project, I'd imagine. Have to do a good bit of research before starting on that, tho.

I just tried getting on 68forums.com, and I don't know if this fine dial up connection is the problem, or if it's the site itself. Gonna do some research there as well. I was checking out some of the ammo info you guys provided, and the 6.8 is right up there with everything else these days. Need to get more info on reloading, too. I haven't been buying components lately, as I had a pretty good stockpile, at least of the stuff I was using. Time to do some more research.

I don't guess Ed Mcmahon will be showing up with a $10m check anytime soon, so unless I find an M1A that someone's willing to do a little trading on, it's going to be another mini for me!

Thanks for the info.

 

[SReagle]

My vote is for the Mini 30, Ammo readily available at a decent price, all around good Caliber for 1. Hunting, 2. Home Defense, 3. Target practice.
lets say your out with friends and hunting and right before you get to your destination you see you forgot your ammo, not likely to find 6.8 and it's expensive compared to 7.62x39, Try this got to 5 places that sell ammo and ask what they have, more Importantly ask if they have any 6.8, don't get me wrong I also think it's a good round, then again I do not reload.
Good luck, I really like my mini 30.

 

[wunbe]

Count me for the 6.8 mini cuz I own one. I also have a 77 compact and a custom Ruger #1 in the 6.8 SPC II on the way.

wunbe

 

[deadduck357]

Another for the mini 30

 

[sebtool]

Well, I finally settled my dilemma as to which rifle to get. 8)

I was watching several rifles on gunbroker, there were 2 - 6.8 Minis, both in a 'semi-reasonable' price range, and a Mini 30. Was getting ready to bid on 1 with a camo stock, and several extra mags, and I figgered I'd check out the M1As real quick before I did. Found a SOCOM ending in a couple of hours, and a Scout, both priced pretty good, both virtually new, excellent condition.

About that time, a guy who's owed me several hundred $$$ since last summer called, said he was on his way out to settle up! I put in a lowball bid on the SOCOM, as it was up on a couple of hours, and was outbid.

Then I saw the Scout, which is what I really wanted. The guy really wanted to sell, as he dropped the BIN price $75. I emailed him to verify his new pricing, as I'd seen his rifle on another forum. He emailed back, said he'd sell it for the new BIN price, and ship it free, as I was a member on the other board!

The SOCOM ended up going for the bid over mine, 'cause I bought the Scout! Basically, I ended up buying it for about $50 less than I was going to offer him thru a PM on the other forum! :shock: WooHoo!

Now all I've gotta do is get some cash out to him tomorrow. And then, find some 'reasonably priced' ammo if possible, as I pushed the finances to the limit to get the rifle. Imagine that, eh? :roll:

I won't have it in by my b-day, but plenty close enough! It's always nice to be able to buy your own birthday present anyway - that way you can get what you really want.

I guess that clean livin' pays off once in awhile!:lol:

 

[Lloyd Smale]

like was said the 6.8 is a good round but even finding brass right now is about impossible. The mini 30 has as much power and isnt all that much worse in trajectory. theres ammo everywhere and you can even use cheap wolf ammo that isnt much more expensive then handloading and you dont even have to bend over and pick up brass. I sold my mini 30 as im not a big mini fan but do have an bushmaster ar in 762x 39 and its my favorite ar. Lots more power then the .223 ars and alot lighter then my ar10 for hunting.