CoolWhip Posted July 30, 2011 Report Share Posted July 30, 2011 Does anyone have one or opinions on one? My dad is looking for one for utility around the farm shooting coyotes, etc. He said he doesn't want to shoot competitively or anything he just wants a good .223 that doesn't need to be babied and will always work. Let me know what you guys think or if you have a better suggestion. What is a good price to pay for the mini? Anyone know of any good deals? Thanks, All! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jporter12 Posted July 30, 2011 Report Share Posted July 30, 2011 I think Casper has one, and likes it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jagr Posted July 30, 2011 Report Share Posted July 30, 2011 The mini 30 is 7.62 if your pappy is actually trying to kill something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottie.harris Posted July 30, 2011 Report Share Posted July 30, 2011 Awesome gun, only had the opportunity to play with one once but it left me wanting it. Another gun that left the same feeling was an M14. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Casper Posted July 30, 2011 Report Share Posted July 30, 2011 I love mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InyaAzz Posted July 30, 2011 Report Share Posted July 30, 2011 A well placed shot can kill....with any caliber. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SecondLiar Posted July 30, 2011 Report Share Posted July 30, 2011 I had the Ranch Rifle with integral scope mounts. It was horribly inaccurate. I tried several different scopes, various factory ammo, handloads with different bullets and powder, and glass bedded the action. Nothing worked. From talking with others, my experience was not uncommon.However, this was many years ago and the newer rifles may be better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick783 Posted July 30, 2011 Report Share Posted July 30, 2011 I sold mine, the accuracy was poor and it was not reliable. Maybe I got a lemon but I hated it. I would recommend a .22, lots of choices and would make a good farm gun, lightweight & cheap to shoot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReconRat Posted July 30, 2011 Report Share Posted July 30, 2011 (edited) I had two, neither was very accurate, even with efforts to improve. A bolt action or lever action will work much better. You don't need a really rapid second shot, most animals are very fast and gone if that first shot misses. If it's not windy, a 223 or 22-250 work well. But I still like 30cal in 308 or 30-06, in windy conditions.Really accurate rifles are kinda hard to find. It's usually that old one that Grandpa has that he won't sell. I think for a low cost working rifle around the farm, an old SKS might do the job. Edited July 30, 2011 by ReconRat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedytriple Posted July 30, 2011 Report Share Posted July 30, 2011 (edited) I have the target model mini 14. and it will shoot with ease out to 200 yards. I have never been to a range past that so I have no clue for accuracy past that. But I would say if he is looking, tell him to get the 580 series, they have a MUCH better barrel then the older ones. Anyone who says they have a mini that was unreliable needs to learn to take better care of his weapon?! I can run 200-300 rounds of dirty cheap ammo thru mine with out a hiccup. Tell him to check out http://www.perfectunion.com/vb/ruger-mini-14-mini-30/ for more info on the mini and not hate from the AR crowd. they run around $580 new for a new ranch rifle or get the tacticool one like casper for around 700.. Edited July 30, 2011 by speedytriple Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReconRat Posted July 30, 2011 Report Share Posted July 30, 2011 (edited) Yeah, about those mini 14 barrels, if I remember right, the barrel rate of twist wasn't good on the old ones. the newer ones changed that.edit: Or more precisely, the old barrel was for the old type of 223 ammo. When the ammo changed up, so did the barrels. Wouldn't have changed if it wasn't touchy about the ammo fired. All 223 rifles are. Some ammo will be more accurate than others, which is true for everything, but more so with a 223 rifle. Edited July 30, 2011 by ReconRat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedytriple Posted July 30, 2011 Report Share Posted July 30, 2011 That and they are much thicker then the old ones are which mean less barrel whip and stringing when hot. If you have a older mini just add a strut to the barrel and it will help with the stringing. mine has a bull barrel from the factory with a harmonic adjuster on it. I like mine a lot but still want to get a evil ar-15 even if they are tempermental. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick783 Posted July 30, 2011 Report Share Posted July 30, 2011 I have the target model mini 14. and it will shoot with ease out to 200 yards. I have never been to a range past that so I have no clue for accuracy past that. But I would say if he is looking, tell him to get the 580 series, they have a MUCH better barrel then the older ones. Anyone who says they have a mini that was unreliable needs to learn to take better care of his weapon?! I can run 200-300 rounds of dirty cheap ammo thru mine with out a hiccup. Tell him to check out http://www.perfectunion.com/vb/ruger-mini-14-mini-30/ for more info on the mini and not hate from the AR crowd. they run around $580 new for a new ranch rifle or get the tacticool one like casper for around 700..I have had a lot of experience with rifles and the mini I had was one of the most unreliable one I ever owned, and it wasn't because it was not cleaned properly. I have owned several surplus SKS rifles that were more accurate and reliable if that tells you anything. But like I said maybe I got a lemon and the newer ones are better? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedytriple Posted July 30, 2011 Report Share Posted July 30, 2011 (edited) what model mini did you have? 180,181,190's series? the 580 ranch rifles are from 05 and up they are much better. here is a crappy cell pic of my mini..a few of my collection. Edited July 30, 2011 by speedytriple Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SecondLiar Posted July 30, 2011 Report Share Posted July 30, 2011 I have owned several surplus SKS rifles that were more accurate and reliable if that tells you anything. +1 I replaced my Mini-14 with an SKS. It was more accurate shooting standing off-hand with open sights than the Mini was shooting with a scope and a rest.I just looked at the Ruger site and their current barrel profile is different than mine was. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedytriple Posted July 30, 2011 Report Share Posted July 30, 2011 They also refurbished all the tooling for the ranch rifle with the 580 series, so they are much tighter then the old ones. If I had a choice between an old mini and a sks I would pick the sks also. the newer 580 I would say shoots better them a sks will. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick783 Posted July 31, 2011 Report Share Posted July 31, 2011 I don't remember the model number but it was the stainless ranch with synthetic stock, pretty sharp looking. I bought it back around the time the AR ban was expired or getting ready to expire and owned it for a couple of years. If they are more accurate now I would consider giving them another try, but ammo is so expensive now I stick to shooting 22s for the most part. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedytriple Posted July 31, 2011 Report Share Posted July 31, 2011 I shoot my 17 hmr the most now. Kinda splits the cost of ammo from the 223 and more fun then a 22lr. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidgetTodd Posted July 31, 2011 Report Share Posted July 31, 2011 Ak-47. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedytriple Posted July 31, 2011 Report Share Posted July 31, 2011 Mini 30? jus sayin? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedytriple Posted July 31, 2011 Report Share Posted July 31, 2011 Cause we all know that the ak 47 is know for its accuracy... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidgetTodd Posted July 31, 2011 Report Share Posted July 31, 2011 I'll put mine up against any AR out there, those that have been to my shoots before dark have seen it drive tacks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoolWhip Posted July 31, 2011 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2011 Thanks for the info. He already has a couple .22s but he wants something that can shoot about 1-200 yards of .223. Reliability is the most important thing and accuracy at the distance stated. Is there a different gun that would be better? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick783 Posted July 31, 2011 Report Share Posted July 31, 2011 Does it have to be a semi-auto? If not I would go with a bolt action, lots of good rifles to choose from in that caliber & super accuracy. If he misses a coyote on the first shot just do some quickscoping Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SecondLiar Posted July 31, 2011 Report Share Posted July 31, 2011 Thanks for the info. He already has a couple .22s but he wants something that can shoot about 1-200 yards of .223. Reliability is the most important thing and accuracy at the distance stated. Is there a different gun that would be better?One of these in .243 Win. Mine is accurate, reliable, and almost as fast as a semi-auto for controlled, aimed follow-up shots.http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/centerfire/model-7600/model-7600-synthetic.aspxOr maybe one of these if you have to have a .223. No experience, but the capability of accepting an AR mag is interesting.http://www.remington.com/products/archived/centerfire/pump-action/model-7615.aspx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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