Suitability of Ruger Mini 14 Rifles and .223 Ammo

Self ^ | 10-2-2001 | Don Myers

[Don Myers]

This is a pure vanity. We have been doing a lot of talking about terrorism and the "war." I have two Ruger Mini 14s. Well, one is a Ranch Rifle and one is a Mini 14. They are virtually the safe rifle with minor differences. I have not even been able to fire them yet. A local police agency turned them in to a local gun store. I think that I should have bought more of them. The Ranch rifle has a scope.

Anyway, I am sure there are many of you who have these guns. I am curious as to what you think about the suitability of the gun and the ammo in a self-defense role in which rifles may be used. There may be a time when a rifle may be necessary to repel multiple hostiles.

[culpeper]

I had a slight problem with soft points feeding properly, nothing big but of the few jams I've had out of the thousands I've fired they were with soft points. I just stick with FMJ now. They perform quite well for my needs.

[Don Myers]

Maybe, I will save the softpoints for my Mak 90, which is .223 also.

[lambsquarter]

Get yourself a 12 gauge with buck shot for in close work it will rip a man completey in half. Then for medium distances the ranch rifle is a good choice lead is a little light for quick kills tough. .308 Win would be my choice makes bigger hole in your asailor, the ass-ole will give up guicker. Handgun chioce would be the 45 gov. Nothing like the fireball from one of these in dim light its a real stopper stay away from the spray and pray 9mm.

[G-Bear]

Some folks refer to the .223 as a "poodle shooter." I have never had the need to shoot any human with anything, but I have had to shoot feral dogs with both the .223 FMJ and the .30-06 FMJ. The damage is identical between both rounds.

As far as the Mini-14 goes, I rate it superior to the AR-15 in all ways. Proven Garand design, all steel parts, and best of all the sights are where they ought to be on a rifle, and not three inches in the air on a stupid "handle." Stupid because (A) if you are carrying a gun you ought to carry it in a ready position, and (B) the higher sights make you stick your head up too far to shoot!

You did good with a Mini-14.

[AAABEST]

I've read that the mini-14s are about as good as AR-15s.

The author was on angel dust, crack and heroin.

Period.

[AAABEST]

As far as the Mini-14 goes, I rate it superior to the AR-15 in all ways.

??????????

How old are you? I'm seriously concerned about your onset of alzheimer's.

[arm958]

.223 is an excellent caliber, and very lethal. If I could afford an AR I would probably buy one. The Mini-14 has a good reputation too, but Bill Ruger's 5 round mags kind of piss me off. Personally, I trust my life with an old French MAS 49/56 semi-auto. It's a wierd caliber (7.5 mm French), but I reload so it doesn't matter. My point is that if you have a reliable weapon that you feel comfortable shooting, you're doing fine! Just make sure you have some ammo stashed away. If you have a $2,000 rifle and only a box of 20 or 50 cartridges you aren't very prepared.

[Shaka]

"As far as the Mini-14 goes, I rate it superior to the AR-15 in all ways. "

Are you nuts???? In ALL ways?? Yeah...please tell our military...they've made a terrible mistake in their weapons choices the past 30 years...I guess you've never fired an AR. Not to put the mini down...how do you equate....nevermind. (Poor man's AR)...nuff said.

[Squantos]

LOL, your running barefoot in the mud again AAA :o).......People only stand on what "they" know, right or wrong about best or better. I have a mini-14 that I sent to Conroe Texas for accurizing etc etc. It actually didn't improve the accuracy for tack driving but then I don't shoot cloverleafs with regards to self defense.

I also have HBAR's and CAR-15 versions of the civilian AR series and they "do" drive tacks but not as well as the heavy barreled bolt varmit rifles I have in the same caliber.

My mini came back wearing a 11 degree crown on a new bull barrel. I have tried every accuracy trick and mod I know of , from free floating the barrel to even changing the barrel yet for reasons unknown to me and my gunsmith in Conroe, the mini just won't group "as well" as an AR will.

Bottom line is both are reliable and will hit the 18 inch brisket/torso in self defense mode ranges. My cheap (if stolen) always outta the safe CQB rifle is a AK-47 with an Aimpoint 5000M on it and a mag cinch setup for 2 each 30 round magazines.

I choose this as badguys wear kevlar too and 7.62 x 39 is primo stopper. After thousands of rounds of range use I determined it was 100% reliable for my house needs and 200 meters out , to backup my four Rottweilers if they "need" me :o). Anything further out than that I go to cover and wait for LEO's or a closer shot.

Stay Safe and just understand some folks have a choice and some people don't. The mini or AR will do in a pinnch but AR, IMHO, will do "it" much , much better.

[wardaddy]

Six groove...right hand 1/9" twist.

[AAABEST]

The mini or AR will do in a pinnch but AR, IMHO, will do "it" much , much better.

Of course it will. Never mind accuracy, lets talk about reliability, servicability, comfort and the fact that I've never seen a speck of rust ever on any gun in the AR A-2 family.

Besides, who the hell wants a weapon that rattles when you pick it up? The mini sounds like a freakin' bucket of bolts.

[Don Myers]

"The mini sounds like a freakin' bucket of bolts."

I can only say that my two don't rattle. At least, if they do, I haven't noticed it.

[Don Myers]

"Just make sure you have some ammo stashed away. If you have a $2,000 rifle and only a box of 20 or 50 cartridges you aren't very prepared. "

I have an old 1903A3 that I am sure would do a good job. I have a Lee Enfield .303 that has never been fired. I am sure that would do a good job as well. As long as you ammo, things should go well.

[Travis McGee]

The best rifle is the one you can afford, and have confidence in.

The scariest man around is the old cracker with the beat up 1960 Savage 30-06 with the cheap Bushnell 3X9 on top who fires only a few times a year and brings a deer home every time. You do not want to be that guy's enemy, I promise you.

[connectthedots]

a .223 from 500 meters is a real stretch for most folks. 350-400 is must more like it.

[glock rocks]

don't ya know it... it is all i can do to hit a rabbit or prairrie dog at 200yds, so i imagine a large target would be in the realm at 300+...

i guess that's why the remington 7mm mag (and .308) exists. there, you're really reaching out and touching someone.

close in and fast, .45acp / 12ga.
up to 200yds, .223
beyond, 7mm. / .308