[19th LA Inf]

The trouble with the Mini-30 is that it is notoriously lacking in accuracy, at least those made before 2000 when I bought mine. I have popped a couple of armadillos in the back yard, but I would not want to shoot at a deer at anything more than 35 or 40 yards, as it is not a very powerful round and needs accurate placement for a clean kill. There is nothing wrong with the 7.62x39 cartridge itself, it is just the macaroni barrel that Ruger uses on the Mini-30. I would really love to have a good quality short action bolt rifle chambered for it.

It is true that in firefights against human opposition the 7.62x39 has historically been effective in the AK-47, but a deer is not going to stay around after the first shot is fired.

[Lurker]

"I would really love to have a good quality short action bolt rifle chambered for it."

Ask and you shall receive.

Ruger M77.

L

[Brucifer]

I agree. The 7.62x39 Russian is a decent cartridge, and roughly equivalent of the 30.30 caliber. Unfortunately the Mini-30 is an absolutely worthless firearm. I have an AK-47 that shoots tighter groups, and so does every SKS I've ever seen. Most everybody I know who owns a Mini-30 or Mini-14 keeps them in the closet to collect dust or uses them for door stops.

Whoever gave the go ahead to build the Mini-30 and the Mini-14 should be whipped and tried for theft. I will never buy or sell another Ruger.

[endthematrix]

"I would really love to have a good quality short action bolt rifle chambered for it.

Me too. CZ makes a great stout bolt rifle with detachable mag.