Posted on 03/26/2016 5:51:49 AM PDT by rktman
When it comes to .223 Rem. semi-automatic rifles, Ruger’s Mini-14 has long been one of the obvious choices. And it’s no wonder, considering it offers nearly the same handiness as the M1 Carbine, the ballistics of the AR15, and the feel of the classic M1 Garand and M14. The Mini’s popularity confirms its strong perceived relevance among a wide range of users, and sustained sales for more than 40 years is evidence of its sound design—even if it’s unfairly judged by the same criteria as today’s predominant platform, the AR, which enjoys the huge advantages of U.S. military adoption and unlimited manufacturing sources. So while some consider the Mini a bit dowdy or lowly, it is actually a serious standout worth giving a second look. Here are just five of the many reasons why a Mini Ranch, Tactical, Target or Thirty model should be on your short list the next time you shop for a modern rifle:
(Excerpt) Read more at dailycaller.com ...
You might ask Ruger to mod your chamber with a 5.56 finishing reamer, while they’re attending to other issues. Takes just a few minutes.
The French carbines are AC556s, not commercial Mini-14s. See the selector switch on the back corner of the receiver?
Well a 30 carbine 110 gr at 1900fps compared to 110 357 at 1400 to 1500fps what to you think
The difference is in the way the barrel is throated. The 5.56 has a longer throat which has the effect of increasing case capacity.
So it’s the firearm, not the round?
If Ruger would get a brain and make it so the Mini 14 can use STANAG or Magpul magazines, I’d be more open to one. Of course, another problem is there are no spare parts kits for it, so it would strictly be a home defense firearm.
Don’t know. Will have to run it by the shooters in the family, just that I’ve read the comparisons and that’s what it said.
I just bought a planter on Amazon to soak this rifle.
I’ll start the process Thursday morning.
Thanks for the advice. I have quite a bit of 5.56 ammo.
Yes, I’ve loaded a bunch of 5.56 and .223 brass. There is no more variation between the two than there is normal variation between different brands of brass.
On a .223 Remington spec rifle, the leade will be 0.085”. This is the standard described by the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute, Inc. (SAAMI). The leade in a 5.56 NATO spec rifle is 0.162”, or almost double the leade of the .223 rifle.
A shorter leade in a SAAMI spec rifle creates a situation where the bullet in a 5.56 NATO round, when chambered, can contact the rifling prior to being fired. By having contact with the rifling prematurely (at the moment of firing), chamber pressure can be dramatically increased, creating the danger of a ruptured case or other cartridge/gun failure.
I copied and pasted that, as it explains the situation better than I can. The leade is the amount of distance the bullet has to jump before encountering the rifling. If you have the bullet jammed against the rifling, pressure will go up, makes sense. Also, if the bullet is seated farther out (less bullet in the case) it has the same effect as increasing the capacity of the case, which also makes common sense. The more room in the case with the same powder charge, the lower the pressure and vice versa.
Technically, it is the chamber that is at variance, not the ammo, in a general sense. 5.56 ammo may be loaded hotter, due to the fact that it is made for rifles with more leade (throat), so may be too hot in a .223 chamber. That said, I can’t recall anyone ever getting hurt by 5.56 in a .223 either.
Yes, I’ve loaded a bunch of 5.56 and .223 brass. There is no more variation between the two than there is normal variation between different brands of brass.
On a .223 Remington spec rifle, the leade will be 0.085”. This is the standard described by the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute, Inc. (SAAMI). The leade in a 5.56 NATO spec rifle is 0.162”, or almost double the leade of the .223 rifle.
A shorter leade in a SAAMI spec rifle creates a situation where the bullet in a 5.56 NATO round, when chambered, can contact the rifling prior to being fired. By having contact with the rifling prematurely (at the moment of firing), chamber pressure can be dramatically increased, creating the danger of a ruptured case or other cartridge/gun failure.
I copied and pasted that, as it explains the situation better than I can. The leade is the amount of distance the bullet has to jump before encountering the rifling. If you have the bullet jammed against the rifling, pressure will go up, makes sense. Also, if the bullet is seated farther out (less bullet in the case) it has the same effect as increasing the capacity of the case, which also makes common sense. The more room in the case with the same powder charge, the lower the pressure and vice versa.
Technically, it is the chamber that is at variance, not the ammo, in a general sense. 5.56 ammo may be loaded hotter, due to the fact that it is made for rifles with more leade (throat), so may be too hot in a .223 chamber. That said, I can’t recall anyone ever getting hurt by 5.56 in a .223 either.
Got it. That makes sense. I knew there were differences in the chambers for 5.56mm vs. .223 Remington, but I wasn’t sure what the difference was. Thanks for the clarification.
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