If any of you know this model well, can you tell me if the magazine was unique or if it were the same as the .223 version? Thank you.

Same magazine.

Yes, same magazine. The two cartridges are quite similar in overall dimensions. The .222 Rem was very popular for a couple of decades before either the .223 cartridge or the Mini-14 rifle came to the market, and I expect Ruger was catering to a marketplace including lots of buyers with a pre-existing preference for that caliber.

Interesting variation, and one that would probably excite some interest among Ruger collectors.

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Life of the party until 8:00PM

From what I've read the Mini in 222 Remington mostly went overseas and is often found in "straight pull" rifles where semi is prohibited. Much as I like my Mini 14s and other 222 Remington rifles, the main attribute of the 222 Remington is accuracy and the Mini's is not. And chasing (or losing) my well cared for 222 brass is definitely a no go.

Back in the 1980's many of the Mini-222's were used in Mexico.

Ivan

I saw one in a LGS maybe last year. Was surprised it was made in that cartridge. Now I know. It did look like a newer production gun, but I didn't examine it very well either and are not familiar with all of the nuances of different eras.

Rosewood

It also makes sense for those countries where it is illegal for a civilian to have a military cartridge.

Rosewood

A friend of mine bought a M&P Sport about a month ago but his wife found it scary. We changed the furniture color and made her happy. He got the Ruger because “it looked less threatening”, not realizing it was a .222 version. If he decides to keep it or swap it, he should come out ahead.

I suggested he swap the Mini for a heavy barrel bolt action varmint rifle with a decent scope so he doesn’t have to hike all over his property to pop coyotes. His longest hit with the Sport is 311 yards, off the top of a round bale.

I was of the understanding (maybe urban legend?) that the .222 Mini-14 was built for export to European countries where military calibers were prohibited for anyone other than military.

From Wikipedia: ".222 Remington
Ruger produced a .222 Remington caliber model as early as 1984.[34] Designated Mini-14/5R.222, these rifles were made mostly for civilian markets overseas where .223 caliber and 5.56 mm firearms are generally banned. These were discontinued in the early 1980s"

From another page (Google is my friend): "Other calibers

Some early Mini-14 rifles were chambered in the .223 Remington cartridge. Since the .223 Remington is not completely dimensionally equivalent to the 5.56x45mm, Ruger chambered Mini-14s for both 5.56 and .223 Remington. Civilian firearms chambered in 5.56 are highly restricted in countries that restrict or prohibit firearms that chamber military cartridges (such as Mexico). By chambering the Mini-14 in the similar but not interchangeable .222 Remington caliber, the Mini-14 could be sold in those countries.[13] "

From an article in NRA American Rifleman: "1. It’s possible, albeit difficult, to find a Ruger Mini-14 chambered in the .222 Remington cartridge. In an attempt to broaden its marketplace, Ruger once produced a number of rifles in .222 Rem. for sale in countries that prohibit civilian ownership of firearms that chamber military cartridges. The practice is a thing of the past, making Mini-14’s chambered in .222 Rem. one of the model’s rarest variants."

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"Stay Frosty"

According to the one seller that has a 222 version posted on the big auction site, they are SUPER RARE. His starting price is sitting at $3500!!! Wonder how long it has been listed and how long it will sit at that price. They are out there to be found, and a guy certainly should not have to dish out $3500 for one.

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"Tastes just like chicken"

From my recent article on the Mini 14:

There was a rare version of the Mini-14 that was chambered for the .222 Remington round. These were destined for sale in those countries that prohibit civilians from using arms that chamber military cartridges. This variant was made for only a short time and it’s rare to find an example today.

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

I believe he is going to trade that .222 Mini for a Winchester Coyote in .243; which should put him into the long range game.

Thank you all for the replies.