Ruger has been busy the last few years working on accuracy. The newest models have the wings on the front sight and it's black. I want to know about the newest ones. I DON'T CARE WHAT YOU HAD 20 YEARS AGO OR EVEN 10 YEARS AGO, I want to know what you have found for the newest models. I've got a couple of AR's I'm thinking of a Mini 30. What is your experience on the newest model? Ruger is working on them but I'm not sure what that means. I'm hearing less than 2" at 100, but that's on the Mini 14, what do you know personally on the Mini 30? Thanks for your help.
NEW Mini 30***What do you think***
- Thread starter Bear Paw Jack
- Start date
57springer
Buckeye
I bought a new mini 20 and a 30 both in the last two years........... I have a 20 I bought in 89 and the new ones are MUCH more accurate . I prefer open sites on these , none have ever had optics on them .
OP
I'm sorry I'm not tracking with you. The Mini 20 are you meaning Mini 14? Maybe you could straighten me out on that.
57springer
Buckeye
Yea, sorry, I meant 14 :oops: thinking of the 20 round mags.... :wink: But to the original question my new ones are much more accurate.Bear Paw Jack said:
57springer
Buckeye
I shoot mine at 50 yds and can get one to two inch groups ......... they are plinkers for me so I am happy with that. :lol:dougader said:
From all I've read here, the latest ones can do 2moa easy.... better with the right ammo.
I never understand why the accuracy of the Mini series causes so much comment. These weapons are not varmint rifles. As long as they will hit a pie plate at 100 yards, they are up to their assigned task.
But for those who worry about it, the last Mini 14 I ran through a qualification course, which was one of the new models, out shot every AR on the line in practical excercises. Most of the ARs were equipped with scopes and other gadgetry, while the Mini wore only its issued irons.
While sighting in, I fired a total of 15 rounds. All 15 were within two inches, including minor adjustment. Would an AR have out grouped it? Probably, but what does it matter?
I doubt a high level of accuracy can be expected from a Mini 30; but again, what does it matter? It will probably outshoot an AK. The one Mini 30 I owned was not a reliable weapon and I have never bothered to try another.
But for those who worry about it, the last Mini 14 I ran through a qualification course, which was one of the new models, out shot every AR on the line in practical excercises. Most of the ARs were equipped with scopes and other gadgetry, while the Mini wore only its issued irons.
While sighting in, I fired a total of 15 rounds. All 15 were within two inches, including minor adjustment. Would an AR have out grouped it? Probably, but what does it matter?
I doubt a high level of accuracy can be expected from a Mini 30; but again, what does it matter? It will probably outshoot an AK. The one Mini 30 I owned was not a reliable weapon and I have never bothered to try another.
Robes
Single-Sixer
blume357 said:
Yep.... ditto the above. Got mine a little over a year ago. One thing I will caution is that it does NOT like cheap ammo. Specs are tight. Love mine.
OP
Robes what ammo do you use and where do you get it?
Thanks
Thanks
The discussion of acceptable accuracy and function of a Mini 30 is pretty broad in spectrum. Some folks love 'em, and some folks not so much. I have been well pleased with all of my Mini's, both in .223 and 7.62x39.
Part of the attraction of the Mini 30 is the capability to use really cheap steel-cased commie bloc ammo. I'm not here to profess the acceptability, or not, of this cheap ammo, but it's a fact of life that many folks are using it. My interest in this cheap ammo is it may well be the only stuff available at one time or another.
Another option, at the other end of the spectrum, is domestic ammo. Very expensive. At nearly a dollar per round for ball ammo, it kind've negates what these guns are all about.
A middle-ground choice, is Eastern European brass-cased ammo. I have bought, and experimented with both PPU and Sellier and Bellot ammo. My experience is this is very high quality ammo, for far less cost than domestic ammo. I've found PPU available on-line for less than 10 bucks per twenty rounds, and just yesterday I found S&B packaged in a (Cabelas) Herters brand box, for $10.19 per box of twenty. And these are both soft points.
This imported brass-cased stuff functions perfectly, and my experience using iron sights is it just as accurate as any .30-30 I've ever shot. I've never scoped a Mini 30, and maybe if I did I'd discover unimpressive 3-inch groups. But again, I don't consider this little gun to be a target gun. It's a gun that I can have in the back seat, put it in service quickly, and expect to hit anything I can see with iron sights.
WAYNO.
Part of the attraction of the Mini 30 is the capability to use really cheap steel-cased commie bloc ammo. I'm not here to profess the acceptability, or not, of this cheap ammo, but it's a fact of life that many folks are using it. My interest in this cheap ammo is it may well be the only stuff available at one time or another.
Another option, at the other end of the spectrum, is domestic ammo. Very expensive. At nearly a dollar per round for ball ammo, it kind've negates what these guns are all about.
A middle-ground choice, is Eastern European brass-cased ammo. I have bought, and experimented with both PPU and Sellier and Bellot ammo. My experience is this is very high quality ammo, for far less cost than domestic ammo. I've found PPU available on-line for less than 10 bucks per twenty rounds, and just yesterday I found S&B packaged in a (Cabelas) Herters brand box, for $10.19 per box of twenty. And these are both soft points.
This imported brass-cased stuff functions perfectly, and my experience using iron sights is it just as accurate as any .30-30 I've ever shot. I've never scoped a Mini 30, and maybe if I did I'd discover unimpressive 3-inch groups. But again, I don't consider this little gun to be a target gun. It's a gun that I can have in the back seat, put it in service quickly, and expect to hit anything I can see with iron sights.
WAYNO.
OP
I've had a few Mini 14's but sold them long ago. I've got a pretty good pile of the OE Mini 14 mags, but I don't know if the Mini 30 only works with the high priced Ruger Mini 30 mags or if something else works with the gun. I agree if you just want to lay down a line of fire the Mini 30 would certainly encourage folks to keep their head down. I don't think the SKS has much of a reputation for accuracy but nobody wants to be shot at with one so I think the Mini 30 should work fine. I've got to get out and check out availability of ammo here in the area either the PPU or the S&B. Be nice to find some descent ammo for a descent price. The more that I talk about it I may decide I need both the 14 and the 30. Doesn't take much to get me tempted. Mostly I can do it by myself.
Bayouhunter
Single-Sixer
I've got the new Mini 30 Tactical, it's accurate, will shoot all of my handloads up to 150 grs. It cycles fine with flat or round nose 30-30 bullets. It does not like the cheap Russian Ammo at all FTF several per 20rd magazine. My wife handles the gun well and likes it feel over the AR-15
Bayouhunter
Single-Sixer
Since my previous post I run across a 4part series of articles on the Mini 30 at http://www.realguns.com Check it out he talks about the latest version using steel cases Berdan primed ammo. Not bad reading, informative, his results firing the cheap Russian ammo is exactly as I experienced.
