Newbie with Mini 30 Questions

[kanuist]

I'm new to the formum and I'm considering buying a Ruger Mini 30. I've got some questions that I hope you all can answer for me.

I've heard that there were some issues with the 30 that ruger recently corrected. Should I buy a new one or look for a specific vintage in a used gun?

Any specific ammo brands that best or really bad?

Thanks!

 

[deadduck357]

I have been very pleased with my Mini 30 Tactical. I think the newer model with military type iron sights is a big improvement over the older style sights.

I have gotten some good results with BVAC and Double Tap 7.62x39 ammo.

One of the tighter groups of the day. DoubleTap 123gr Barnes Triple Shock X - 0.953 in.

The tightest group of the day. BVAC 123gr V-MAX - 0.801 in.

(groups were shot while scoped)

 

[blume357]

deadduck is right... go with the new version and I think the newer sights are better too.

the problems with the older mini-30s were that there were no factory high capacity magazines that were reliable. still the case I believe... you need to stick with factory but now you can get good Ruger ones.. you just have to pay for them.

2nd was the barrels on both types of mini's ... seems they were a little on the thin side and this caused them to tend to be a little less accurate than many folks liked. Seems this has been fixed.

If I had the resources, I'd grab either a new one of these or the mini-14.

 

[Double Vision]

I have a new Thirty and it's great. Lots of fun to shoot and I'm happy with the accuracy. Ditto on my 14.

FYI - My Thirty doesn't like the Wolf ammo. No problem, I stick to ammo Made in USA.

Good luck!

 

[resident]

I"m toying with the idea of obtaining a 7.62 X 39 weapon, and I certainly like Rugers but.... in reality, isn't a good AK a better/more reliable boonie-gun?

 

[kanuist]

I really like the tactical model.

Any one using steel cased ammo? Ruger doesn't recommend but I have heard that many are using it. Like Herter steel or Golden Bear brass plated steel?

 

[blume357]

I"m toying with the idea of obtaining a 7.62 X 39 weapon, and I certainly like Rugers but.... in reality, isn't a good AK a better/more reliable boonie-gun?

I had an AK and was never impressed with it... it is one of only two guns I have passed on... gave away didn't sell. Most are exactly what they are supposed to be... a mass produced gun for the masses.

I'd prefer to stick with made in America.

As for ammo, Georgia Arms has started producing and selling brass 7.62x39 ammo again.

 

[oregon73]

I've got an older-style Mini-30 and I can say it is accurate enough and completely reliable, but it does not like steel-cased ammo--which is just fine, because I generally don't buy steel-cased ammo.

My biggest gripe in the past, concerning the Mini-30, was that Ruger didn't make factory hi-cap mags for it. They do now so that problem is fixed. Yeah, they cost about forty-bucks per, but in my opinion worth every penny.

As far as the AK vs. Mini-30 go, well, a person just has to go on their personal preferences. I think the Mini-30 has way better sights than an AK. A rifle like the AK definitely has its place, however.

Rob

 

[deadduck357]

I really like the tactical model.

Any one using steel cased ammo? Ruger doesn't recommend but I have heard that many are using it. Like Herter steel or Golden Bear brass plated steel?

I have had good results with steel ammo, I don't shoot it all the time but for a cheap alternative and to give you rifle time it seems to work well enough.

Ammunition used was Wolf 154gr SP and 122gr HP, Military Classic 124gr FMJ, and Monarch 123gr FMJ. (Monarch is ammo made in Russia for Academy sporting goods stores) Also tested were 15 loose rounds of Wolf 122gr HP.

50yds prone

20rds Wolf 154gr SP are grouped in the head area. Center mass is 20rds Wolf Mil. Classic 124 FMJ.

No malfunctions with either the Wolf 154gr SP or 122gr HP or Monarch. I experienced one failure to fire with the Military Classic, which appeared to have a sufficient primer strike. The round discharged properly on the second attempt. Which is odd as the Military Classic showed deeper primer strikes than Wolf Performance brand. So very pleased for this range session and that out of 95 rounds of steel case ammo I had only one light primer strike. Accuracy seems to be acceptable.

 

[bai78]

I really like the tactical model.

Any one using steel cased ammo? Ruger doesn't recommend but I have heard that many are using it. Like Herter steel or Golden Bear brass plated steel?

I use Golden Bear, both 123gr HP & 125gr SP, without any issues! Other than mil surplus, this seems to be the next best thing for my M30. Of course, YMMV.