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Five Reasons To Reconsider The Ruger Mini-14
dailycaller.com ^ | 3/23/2016 | Brian Sheetz

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 ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Constitution/Conservatism
KEYWORDS: 2a; banglist; mini14
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To: eyedigress

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.


101 posted on 03/26/2016 6:33:47 PM PDT by Charles Martel (Endeavor to persevere...)
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To: Drew68

The French carbines are AC556s, not commercial Mini-14s. See the selector switch on the back corner of the receiver?


102 posted on 03/26/2016 6:36:06 PM PDT by Charles Martel (Endeavor to persevere...)
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To: SkyDancer

Well a 30 carbine 110 gr at 1900fps compared to 110 357 at 1400 to 1500fps what to you think


103 posted on 03/27/2016 3:58:37 AM PDT by riverrunner
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To: IronJack

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.


104 posted on 03/27/2016 6:39:24 AM PDT by nobamanomore
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To: nobamanomore

So it’s the firearm, not the round?


105 posted on 03/27/2016 6:46:45 AM PDT by IronJack
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To: rktman

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.


106 posted on 03/27/2016 7:36:39 AM PDT by RWB Patriot ("My ability is a value that must be earned and I don't recognize anyone's need as a claim on me.")
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To: riverrunner

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.


107 posted on 03/27/2016 1:16:24 PM PDT by SkyDancer ("Nobody Said I Was Perfect But Yet Here I Am")
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To: Charles Martel

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.


108 posted on 03/27/2016 2:42:30 PM PDT by eyedigress ((Old storm chaser from the west))
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To: IronJack

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.


109 posted on 03/27/2016 3:23:59 PM PDT by nobamanomore
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To: IronJack

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.


110 posted on 03/27/2016 3:25:07 PM PDT by nobamanomore
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To: nobamanomore

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.


111 posted on 03/27/2016 4:03:40 PM PDT by IronJack
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To: eyedigress
 
 
Gotta ask - before you start in with buckets, oil and all that, have you tried this yet - it's called by different names, like POGO-ing, POGO Manuever, Mortaring, etc - this has worked with everything I've had to do it on - ARs, AKs, M1As, Mini 14s, FALs - everything.
 
Do not do it on a hard surface - go outside, find some soft ground, hold onto the cocking lever when you thump the rifle straight down, following through with your hold on the lever, much like how it is demonstrated in the vid below. Don't get discouraged if it doesn't work on the first try. Sometimes it takes 2 or 3 hits before it would give up the round.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzBdyubc0Uk
 
 

112 posted on 03/27/2016 11:16:11 PM PDT by lapsus calami (What's that stink? Code Pink ! ! And their buddy Murtha, too!)
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