Posted on 03/29/2012 4:54:07 PM PDT by pfflier
Do any Freepers out there have an opinion on the Ruger mini 14 .223 ranch or tactical carbine? I researched online and comments are good.
The Ruger Mini-14, Ranch Rifle, and Mini-30 should not be on your radar unless you can get it very, very cheap. Even then, it's not much of a bargain. Forget ordering one because Ruger has 1 million guns back ordered and has suspended taking any more orders for anything. If you need a reliable rifle, get yourself an SKS or AK clone.
The SKS is robust and accurate and in 7.62x39. AK clones are available in 7.62x39, 5.45x39, and .223 Remington (5.56x45 NATO). SKS and AK clones have plenty of parts and accessories available, but not to the extent the AR does.
Years ago, I got a great deal on three Romanian rifles, a SAR-1 in 7.62x39, a SAR-2 in 5.45x39, and a SAR-3 in .223 Remington. All were equipped with the Russian “universal” optics mounting rail on the left side of the receiver above the pistol grip. The mounting rail works great and allows the mounting of various optics without loss of zero. My SAR-2 has a K-Var mount and ATN Ultra red dot reflex sight. I can get double taps (head shots) on a full size steel silhouette at 100 meters. I like this rifle!
> Cant shoot NATO rounds.
Who says?
Mine sure can. I’ve plinked nearly a thousand surplus NATO rounds through it.
That is before I lost it in the boating accident.
When one loses a weapon in a boating accident - do they file something some where?
Btw...who are the "them" ('em) in Do We Shoot 'em?
Are you an "avenging angel?" A Modern-day Danite?
How can you use M4 mags in a mini 14. Please tell me where to go and I will buy you a case of PBR.
My Ranch models are chambered for 5.56 NATO.
Question: Can you shoot 5.56 mm ammo in Ruger Mini 14?
Answer:
Yes you can, the mini14 has always had a 5.56x45 chamber.
The mini14 receiver is marked “.223 CAL” not “.223 rem.”
The manual states this:
“AMMUNITION (580 series mini14 and above)
The RUGER® MINI-14® RANCH RIFLES are chambered for the .223 Remington (5.56mm) cartridge.
The Mini-14 Ranch Rifle is designed to use either standardized U.S. military, OR factory loaded sporting .223 (5.56mm) cartridges
manufactured in accordance with U.S. industry practice.”
The 180 series Mini 14 States this:
“ The Mini14 is designed to use EITHER U.S. Military, Commercial sporting, Or Other .223(5.56mm) caliber ammunition manufactured to U.S. industry standards.”
Here is the .pdfs for the 580 series and 180 series mini14s listed above for verification: 180 series: www.ruger.com/Firearms/PDF/InstructionManuals/43.pdf 580 series: www.ruger.com/Firearms/PDF/InstructionManuals/55.pdf
The above means that 5.56nato ammunition can be used safely in the rifle. The Ruger Mini-14 has a 5.56 chamber but can shoot .223 Remington ammuntion. It is a common myth that the mini14 is chambered in .223 Remington. While 5.56mm NATO ammunition is identical in external dimensions to .223 Remington, there are two important differences:
1) The chamber dimensions between the two cartridges are different. 5.56mm has a longer throat or leade (the the unrifled portion of the barrel between the end of the chamber and the beginning of the rifling). This longer throat reduces pressures as compared to the .223 Remington. Consequently, .223 Remington ammunition is loaded to a lower pressure.
2) The 5.56mm cartridge is loaded to higher pressures than the .223 Remington. Taking advantage of the longer throat, the 5.56mm can safely operate at a more powerful loading level.
Firing a 5.56mm cartridge (which is loaded to higher pressure) in a .223 Remington chambered rifle (which has a shorter throat causing a further boost in pressure), could exceed the safety margin in a .223 Remington rifle. It cannot be done with complete safety.
A .223 Remington cartridge can be safely fired in a 5.56mm chambered rifle, but NOT vice versa.
Always use safe, reliable, and quality ammunition. When buying surplus 5.56 ammo make sure you examine it closely before using it in the rifle. It is also suggested in the manual that you don’t use handloads in the mini-14. using handloads can be dangerous and will void the warranty if damage is caused as a result using improper ammunition.
Now, the next question: Will the Mini-14 hit the target?
Answer: Maybe; Sometimes; If the target is big; If the target is close; Perhaps on Tuesday; etc.
I used a dremel tool and some cheap metal m4 mags.
Hold them together and you can see where you need to grind the back of the mag down.
Thanks
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