Considering a New Rifle: Mini14 or SR556? (VANITY)

Vanity | 2-21-2013 | chuckster

[Chuckster]

Seeking advice from experienced shooters. I am considering a New Rifle. I am in Alaska and the gun will spend a lot of time on a boat. I want something compact, light and semi-auto. I am trying to decide between an AR pattern or a Garand style action. I would prefer a .308 but the wife will likely be using it as much or more than me and her vote is for the Mini14. I think that is too light a caliber, and .223/5.56 ammo is hard to come by locally.

Any way, the Mini14 is half the price of the AR or any .308 I've seen so I turn to the experts here on FR for advice.

[Organic Panic]

“I’m not sure why you’re walking around with a rifle and a shotgun.”

He’s a swinger!

[CodeToad]

NOTHIGN in 223 is good for shooting bears. A powerful handgun is a better choice than a weak rifle.

[Redcitizen]

"NOTHING in 223 is good for shooting bears."

Nonsense! You just haven't been shooting the right ammo. ;)

[MasterGunner01]

Do not buy a Mini-14 (or any derivative of this rifle. Why, because Ruger will not sell you certain spare parts such as: 1) firing pin, 2) extractor, 3) ejector, 4) trigger housing group parts. The Mini-14 is very similar (bolt assembly and trigger housing group) to the M1 Garand and M14 rifles. These rifles were designed for part replacement by operators of parts in either of these assemblies. Ruger says you as a shooter are too ignorant to work on these highly technical mechanisms and that only skilled union factory labor are qualified. have a worn or broken part in either the bolt assembly or trigger housing group and it goes to the factory for repairs.

I don't know if Ruger’s policy applies to its AR-15 clone called the SR556, but there are many guns of this type as good as or better than the Ruger product.

Recommendations: Steer clear of Rugers and Colts (different reasons for the Colts). Go with these guys for quality, Mil-Spec AR-15 rifles or carbines (in no particular order): 1) ArmaLite, 2) Bushmaster, 3)DPMS (Panther Arms), 4) Les Baer, 5) Lewis Machine & Tool, 6) Olympic Arms, 7) POF-USA, 9) Rock River Arms, 9) Remington Arms, 10) Smith & Wesson, 11) Stag Arms, 12) Model 1 Sales, 13) Wilson Combat.

[CodeToad]

Well, nuts! Here I went and got all loaded up with something bigger and those Russians had the answer all along!

[makersmk2013]

Consider a black rifle in 6.5 grendel.It has less recoil and will shoot with the 308 out to 1000 yards.At 100 yds the 308 has 2290 ft lbs,the 6.5 is 1867,at 600 yds they are 1079 and 1046.The 6.5 actually loses energy and drops less than the 308 both done with 24” barrel.You can build your own for less than $650 if you are so inclined.

[MHGinTN]

223/556 is not 'a weak rifle'. Add the AK74 in the same frame as not a weak rifle. Penetration and tumbling are devastating to living things, even trees.Two or three AK74 rounds in the chest of a bear will drop the creature. ONE 556 through the mouth and into the brainstem (which is purely penetration oriented) will drop a bear of any size in their tracks. A .22lr through the mouth and into the brain stem of a griz will drop the bear.

The point is that the .223 and the 5.56 and the 5.45 x 39 and the 7.62 x 39 all will kill a bear. Shot placement and follow-up accuracy is the key

[Sirius Lee]

Lever action .30-30 or an SKS. Fairly simple, reliable, hit reasonably hard, light.

Thank you.

[Chuckster]

6.5 grendel

I asked about availability of 6.5 grendel ammo at the local supplier and he said "Huh?"

[CodeToad]

“Shot placement and follow-up accuracy is the key”

You’ve never shot at a bear. They don’t hold still and pose.

This “shot placement” thing is for noobs that want to sound experienced.