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.

[glock rocks]

500m away from his house and just snipe him.....ha!

.223?, aim about 4 1/2 feet high...

[Drew68]

I had a nice stainless steel Mini-14 a few years back. I bought it with a pre-ban flash supressor. It was a beautiful gun and fit well in my hands.

It also jammed constantly, so I sold it for considerably less than my payment.

As it turns out, it was due to the magazines I was using. I had 5 identical USA 20 round magazines. I never tried the gun with any other types (much to my regret). I went on a usenet forum (rec.guns I believe) and brought up my delimma with the gun's propensity for jamming. Everybody responded by asking if I had been using USA magazines in the rifle. Turns out that those magazines had to be slightly modified to work properly.

I wish I had known that when I had the gun. I'd still have it.

[Destructor]

My Mini-14 suits me just fine! Thanks for asking.

[earlyapex]

While I prefer an AR15 as my sport utility rifle, I think the use of .223 rem (5.56x45) ammo has proven itself not only in combat, but in law enforcement as well. Many officers, non-SWAT included, are trading their remington 870s for AR15/M16 class rifles. Ballistically, the 5.56 round is much "safer" as well as more lethal in the urban/suburban terrain common to many local LE activities.

In essence, a 5.56 round (M193 or M855) will retain much less energy after passing through a sheetrock wall, and will penetrate many fewer sheets of drywall than a 9mm, let alone 00 or 000 buckshot or a slug. At the same time, as long as the projectile impacts with its (human) target at a velocity greater than 2700 fps, the bullet will fragment at the cannelure (sic) and tumble through tissue creating a much more dramatic permanent wound cavity than shotgun or pistol caliber ammunition.

So, its really the best of both worlds - less risk to neighbors and bystanders (overpenetration), and more reliably lethal to the target. That is certainly part of the reason that LE agencies are moving towards 5.56 caliber weapons over subguns.

Can't comment on the Rugers. Bill's advocacy of limited capacity magazines in the era leading up to the 1994 AW ban is enough to keep me from purchasing his products. ARs are proven in the field, have parts and accessories available from everywhere, and are typically more accurate than mini-14s, from what I've read.

Note that the properties of the ammunition listed above has been documented by a number of organizations, including Fackler & company in the Wound Ballistics Journal. It applies to military-grade M193 (55gr) and M855 (62gr w/penetrator) only, rather than applying generally to all 5.56 out there. Good luck..

[Joe 6-pack]

...Dude, I think I bought your rifle real cheap...Thanks.

[Dog Gone]

I love mine. I've heard accuracy is a problem, but I've never had a problem hitting a very good pattern at a distance. You can still get 30 round clips and that's plenty.

[Don Myers]

Well, I have a 12 gauge riot gun (Rem Model 870), an FAL FN .308, a couple of M1 Garands, etc. I have some guns which fire the 7.62 X 39 mm round, and a MAK 90 that fires the .223 as well. I really collect military surplus rifles, its a hobby. I think that I am well armed if it should be necessary to defend home and hearth. I have a pipsqueek Baretta Tomcat .32 ACP loaded with silvertips that I shove into my pants pocket when I go out shopping or walking. I could carry a larger pistol/revolver if I wished, but I like the easy carry of the Baretta Tomcat.

I think that the .223 round would be especially good for my wife.

[Don Myers]

"ARs are proven in the field, have parts and accessories available from everywhere, and are typically more accurate than mini-14s, from what I've read. "

Yeah, I wouldn't mind having an AR. I have been buying the poor man's AR with the Mini 14s I suppose. I can buy more guns and ammo that way.

Someone else mentioned the 55 grain round as being best. I didn't know that, and I appreciate that info. I have quite a few rounds stored away. I think it is all the 55 grain stuff.

[Don Myers]

I have mostly the twenty round mags. I guess that thirty round mags would be good as well.

[BOBWADE]

The mini 14 is an excellent rifle but mag availability is questionable. The only mags I have found to be reliable besides factory are the Massen mfg and the thermold types. SWFA Inc carried the massen 30 rd mags for $30 each and they are as close to factory as I have ever seen. They function flawlessly just like the factory mags. They stopped advertising them a few months ago but still had some left this summer when I called. The plastic ramlines work but are flimsy. The thermold are nice but expensive and hard to find. good luck.

[glock rocks]

223 Remington
40 gr. Supreme® Ballistic Silvertip™

Ballistic Coefficient: 0.226	Product Symbol: SBST223A
Description: Rapid expansion or fragmentation on impact. For Prairie dog, coyote, woodchuck.
Rifle Ballistics

Distance (yds)

Muzzle

50

100

200

300

400

500

Velocity (fps)

3700

-

3166

2693

2265

1879

1540

Distance (yds)

Muzzle

50

100

200

300

400

500

Energy (ft. lbs.)

1216

-

891

644

456

314

211

Distance (yds)

50

100

150

200

250

300

Short Trajectory (in.)

-0.4

0.0

-0.5

-2.0

-4.7

-8.8

Distance (yds)

100

150

200

250

300

400

500

Long Trajectory (in.)

+1.0

+1.0

0.0

-2.2

-5.8

-18.4

-40.9

View Spec Sheet · Add To Wish List

223 Remington
50 gr. Supreme® Ballistic Silvertip™

Ballistic Coefficient: 0.238	Product Symbol: SBST223
Description: Rapid expansion or fragmentation on impact. For Prairie dog, coyote, woodchuck.
Rifle Ballistics

Distance (yds)

Muzzle

50

100

200

300

400

500

Velocity (fps)

3410

-

2982

2593

2235

1907

1613

Distance (yds)

Muzzle

50

100

200

300

400

500

Energy (ft. lbs.)

1291

-

987

746

555

404

289

Distance (yds)

50

100

150

200

250

300

Short Trajectory (in.)

-0.3

0.0

-0.7

-2.4

-5.5

-10.0

Distance (yds)

100

150

200

250

300

400

500

Long Trajectory (in.)

+1.2

+1.2

0.0

-2.5

-6.4

-19.8

-42.8

View Spec Sheet · Add To Wish List

223 Remington
64 gr. Supreme® Power-Point Plus®

Ballistic Coefficient: 0.233	Product Symbol: SHV223R2
Description: Rapid, controlled expansion. Penetrates thin skin, light muscle and bone. For antelope, deer, black bear.
Rifle Ballistics

Distance (yds)

Muzzle

50

100

200

300

400

500

Velocity (fps)

3090

-

2684

2312

1971

1664

1398

Distance (yds)

Muzzle

50

100

200

300

400

500

Energy (ft. lbs.)

1357

-

1024

760

552

393

278

Distance (yds)

50

100

150

200

250

300

Short Trajectory (in.)

-0.2

0.0

-1.0

-3.4

-7.4

-13.3

Distance (yds)

100

150

200

250

300

400

500

Long Trajectory (in.)

+1.7

+1.5

0.0

-3.2

-8.2

-25.4

-55.1

View Spec Sheet · Add To Wish List

223 Remington
53 gr. Super-X® Hollow Point

Ballistic Coefficient: 0.222	Product Symbol: X223RH
Description: Rapid expansion or fragmentation on impact. For Prairie dog, coyote, woodchuck.
Rifle Ballistics

Distance (yds)

Muzzle

50

100

200

300

400

500

Velocity (fps)

3330

-

2882

2477

2106

1770

1475

Distance (yds)

Muzzle

50

100

200

300

400

500

Energy (ft. lbs.)

1305

-

978

722

522

369

256

Distance (yds)

50

100

150

200

250

300

Short Trajectory (in.)

+0.3

+0.7

0.0

-1.9

-5.3

-10.3

Distance (yds)

100

150

200

250

300

400

500

Long Trajectory (in.)

+1.7

+1.4

0.0

-2.9

-7.4

-22.7

-49.1

View Spec Sheet · Add To Wish List

223 Remington
55 gr. Super-X® Pointed Soft Point

Ballistic Coefficient: 0.197	Product Symbol: X223R
Description: Rapid expansion or fragmentation on impact. For Prairie dog, coyote, woodchuck.
Rifle Ballistics

Distance (yds)

Muzzle

50

100

200

300

400

500

Velocity (fps)

3240

-

2747

2304

1905

1554

1270

Distance (yds)

Muzzle

50

100

200

300

400

500

Energy (ft. lbs.)

1282

-

921

648

443

295

197

Distance (yds)

50

100

150

200

250

300

Short Trajectory (in.)

+0.4

+0.8

0.0

-2.2

-6.0

-11.8

Distance (yds)

100

150

200

250

300

400

500

Long Trajectory (in.)

+1.9

+1.6

0.0

-3.3

-8.5

-26.7

-59.6

View Spec Sheet · Add To Wish List

[unamused]

I have a Ranch Rifle, it is awesome...
If I need to "reach out and touch someone" at greater distances, I have an HK 91...
Perfect combo...

[Shaka]

They have post ban AR15's for about $700...they look great and shoot great. Name brands would be: Bushmaster, Rock River Arms,DPMS,FN,Olympic Arms...Colt has the name recognition "and the extra $$$" but the brands that I mentioned are just as good if not better. I have 2 AR's (Bushy 16" shorty and RR M4) and I absolutely LOVE them! After you fire them...you will be hooked! Ammo is relatively cheap...but the AR is WAYYYYYYYY above the Ruger mini's, as far as fun and "feel". Not to mention the "fear" factor when you see one come out of it's pouch. Just buy one...you'll be glad you did.

[DCBryan1]

If it's good enough for the "A-Team", its good enough for you!

</font size>

A-Team and Ruger KAC-556F's

[pcl]

I have my Mini-14 mounted in a BullPup stock. It makes a very nice, small but very effective assualt rifle.

[Don Myers]

"Everybody responded by asking if I had been using USA magazines in the rifle. "

I was warned early on about the undesirability of using after purchase mags, so I buy only original mags. I think that it is best that way as well.

[epow]

Everybody responded by asking if I had been using USA magazines in the rifle

Don't ever use USA mags in anything. They're crap.

[PUGACHEV]

I'm afraid that the AK47 is still and always has been the best rifle for self defense. I regret saying this, because I do admire the Ruger Mini 14 and the Colt HBAR, a sporter version of the AR16: they are both very fine weapons. But, the AK47 -- and particularly the Chinese version which has a shorter stock made to fit an Oriental frame -- is completely dependable and so perfectly balanced. They are not target rifles by any means, but, for your stated purpose, you could want nothing better. However, it's been many years since I've held one in my arms (sniff, sniff) and I have no idea if they are still available on the civilian market.

[Don Myers]

I have both solid points and softpoint ammo. Do you have an opinion about which one to use?

[dep]

We will let dep keep his shotgun and you and I will be in the field, 500m away from his house and just snipe him.....ha!

with a mini-14? yeah, right -- you'd shoot the windows out of my neighbor's house, probably, and maybe my other neighbor's pickup truck. the mini is capable of firing about a 50-foot group at that range. now, if you wanted to talk, say, .308 in an hk, i'd be worried. but the mini? .223? by the time you were close enough to get off an accurate shot you'd be, in the immortal words of the immortal mark twain, multifariously perforated.

dep