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Suitability of Ruger Mini 14 Rifles and .223 Ammo
Self ^ | 10-2-2001 | Don Myers

Posted on 11/02/2001 7:08:49 PM PST by 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.


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To: DCBryan1
"... I forgot to mention...my HK51B is for sale....its a short-barreled HK that has a HK21 belt fed tray on it...its a real fire breather...you can have it for $9,500 plus your $200 ATF tax..."

I hear those trade hands quite a lot. :-]

121 posted on 11/02/2001 9:30:51 PM PST by The KG9 Kid
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To: DCBryan1; Travis McGee
IF there are any Israeli Industry 62gr. "Green tip penetrator" left, pick up AT LEAST a box of 1200!

Well, since this thread seems to be covering all aspects of 5.56x45, here goes:

I finished reading Blackhawk Down the first week of September. It seems to me that one of the major complaints that the soldiers had in Mog was that it took several to many shots (with what I assume to be SS109) to drop each skinny. Overpenetration and a lack of fragmentation seemed to be a real problem.

So, my question is: At under 200 meters would a superior projectile choice be a 55gr soft tip or hollow tip bullet against "soft" targets? Given that we civvies are restricted to hardball only I thought that this might be a good question.

122 posted on 11/02/2001 9:39:58 PM PST by Fixit
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To: Fixit
Oops, I meant to say that we are NOT restricted to hardball ...
123 posted on 11/02/2001 9:41:19 PM PST by Fixit
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To: Fixit
I read that about the greentips also. The 62 grain NATO greentips were maximized for long range accuracy and penetration, but (according to Blackhawk Down) they zipped right through adrenaline pumped enemy like icepicks, without tumbling, or dumping much energy.

So I would say yes, go with the 55grain stuff, it tumbles, and causes worse wounds.

BTW, the Russians are way ahead of us in military bullet (slug, not cartridge) technology. Their 5.45mm bullets use a hollow space just behind the tip, then a steel penetrator, then a lead "driver". The slug is balanced for accuracy in flight, and as soon as they hit flesh, the driver and penetrator push forward into the air space, causing the center of gravity to flip, and the bullet to keyhole like mad, always coming out backwards or sideways. The Afghans and Chechens really fear them, and call them "poison bullets".

Another "field expedient" for your .223 ball ammo is to take strong wire cutters (dykes) and clip off the front 1/8" of your bullets. This is hell on long range accuracy, but ensures the slugs will be keyholing and tumbling into their targets. I have not done this, but some old VN jungle fighters (close range engagements) told me about it.

124 posted on 11/02/2001 9:57:14 PM PST by Travis McGee
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To: Travis McGee
It's pinned in place. But if you want a different length they are happy to put a new blank in and re-pin it for a few bucks. Or you could do it yourself, but that would probably be illegal or immoral or unethical. Or just cheaper.
125 posted on 11/02/2001 9:58:44 PM PST by TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig
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Comment #126 Removed by Moderator

To: damian5; Travis McGee
I read the 5.56 has slightly higher pressures and that if your barrel isn't stamped 5.56 you should not use the NATO round but stick with the .223 only.

Fortunately my rifle is good for both so I can get what I want when the price is right.

Travis you may know if this is bum info or not, what do you think?

127 posted on 11/02/2001 10:09:22 PM PST by TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig
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To: big ern
Mighty damn silly rules.
128 posted on 11/02/2001 10:09:57 PM PST by Travis McGee
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To: Travis McGee
A brief note. I put a 55 grain soft tip through a piece of 1/4" tool steel as an experiment. the steel in question was a bosch shovel tip from my big roto hammer. I was really surprised. Looked like it had been punched on a 50 ton press. When using same to drop dear ( I raise them) I always go for a head or neck shot as a hair shot will usually mean an extended search for the recipient. I much prefer they die instantly too. I'm convinced all that running around and panic is bad for the product.
129 posted on 11/02/2001 10:12:47 PM PST by mercy
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To: Travis McGee
I'm livin in a post ban world brother. I don't make the rules, I just choose which ones are worth breaking.
130 posted on 11/02/2001 10:14:35 PM PST by TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig
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To: big ern
I know...that was their LEPG? special was'nt it? Oh, crap...I've got to go buy another one! Those guns have a personality about them...I just love pulling them out of their cases and watch my family and friends just go funky, lockjaw. I hope to get in on the next AR15.com special.
131 posted on 11/02/2001 10:25:10 PM PST by Shaka
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To: Shaka
funky, lockjaw.,p>That would be my wife's reaction.

My neighbor had another reaction. "Damn Ernie. That's bad ass". I said "Yes it is."

132 posted on 11/02/2001 10:34:33 PM PST by TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig
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To: big ern
I put anything in it that says 5.56 or .223, it don't care.

I do avoid the "bag-o-bullets" reloads at the gunshow though.

133 posted on 11/02/2001 10:38:12 PM PST by Travis McGee
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To: Travis McGee
"I do avoid the "bag-o-bullets" reloads at the gunshow though."

Arrrgh. I thought something was wrong with my gun when it started jamming on every third shell. Went back to Federal ammo and never had a problem.

So repeat after me:

I do not buy or shoot bullets that come in bags.
I do not buy or shoot bullets that come in bags.
I do not buy or shoot bullets that come in bags.
I do not buy or shoot bullets that come in bags.
I do not buy or shoot bullets that come in bags.
I do not buy or shoot bullets that come in bags.
I do not buy or shoot bullets that come in bags.
I do not buy or shoot bullets that come in bags.
I do not buy or shoot bullets that come in bags.
I do not buy or shoot bullets that come in bags.
I do not buy or shoot bullets that come in bags...

134 posted on 11/02/2001 10:47:23 PM PST by Southack
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To: Southack
LOL! Seriously, I have had good luck with "affordable" Malaysian and South African military ball 55gr.

www.sportsmansguide.com has very nice 1980s vintage 5.56 in heavy waterproof plastic 300 round "battle packs" for 12 cents per.

135 posted on 11/02/2001 10:55:53 PM PST by Travis McGee
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To: dbbeebs
You too see the probs with many 30 round clips in the mini's.

Up here, the mini-14 is the standard for on the snowmachine. People sometimes catch wolves on rivers, but runnin them down is harder than you'd think.

Price is the choice factor. I have used both my stainless folding stock 14 and several ar's. You couldn't give me 4 minis for one ar.

136 posted on 11/02/2001 11:22:12 PM PST by Eska
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To: Jeff Head
Hey Jeff...Congrats on your novel. Hope big things happen for you, you deserve it.

FAL sounds expensive to me. Maybe I'LL write a book called "Home Defense on the Cheap."

Anyway the big gun show is next weekend, so I guess I'll just have to see whats out there. Even a bolt action might be an inexpensive way to step up to .308.

Stay safe...

137 posted on 11/03/2001 4:44:24 AM PST by copycat
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To: blackbart.223
My Mini 14 puts 'em where I point 'em. And having a few 30rd. mags gives me plenty of extra tries if I need 'em...
;-)
138 posted on 11/03/2001 5:15:51 AM PST by unamused
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To: Don Myers
The thing I like about the AK-47 and SKS is the exceptionally smooth trigger pull right out of the box. The AR-15's I've tried, seem rough in comparison. Trigger pull is important when it comes to hitting the target.
139 posted on 11/03/2001 5:30:56 AM PST by CWRWinger
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To: Dog Gone
You can still get 30 round clips and that's plenty.

Hey Dawg, long time no see! I love my stainless Mini-14 too, especially after picking up a 30 round clip at the Houston gun show. It kept the homestead safe during Y2K...hehe.

140 posted on 11/03/2001 5:35:37 AM PST by Buffalo Bob
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