Ruger mini-14 223rem

Unless that is specifically marked as a .223
"target" model, it is capable of chambering and firing 5.56 Nato (5.56x45). This is per Ruger. The only models that are incapable of chambering and firing 5.56 x 45 are target only models. All others are safe. Nice rifle.
 
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In California we call that a URG...”under the radar gun” as it will do the exact same damage in the exact same time as an AR but since it isn’t all black and doesn’t have the evil pistol grip and retractable stock, the gun grabbers haven’t gone after banning it. I’m sure once it is used in some high profile crime, it will be the next to go, most likely with all semi auto rifles.
 
I've got an early Mini. It's reasonably accurate; no target rifle nor even a small varmint rifle, but for what it is, it's fine.
 
Nice! I regret not buying one of the many cheapish mini-14s that were available pre-panic.
 
Nice. I was buying these up on the cheap for awhile due to nostalgia. I remember buying my first one in 1990. Back when Colt AR's were big money & the mini was the affordable option. I'm down to 1 Mini-30, a 181 series Mini-14, and a newer Tactical Mini-14. Nice light, handy rifle.
 
dave1918a2 said:
I just bought also. Serial is 184- so I am going to assume accuracy issues. Went to buy ammo. Not going to pay $2.00 a piece so I got small base dies and brass. Have lots of .22 bullets. I am expecting more fun than accuracy. 3 inches at 100 yards is good enough for large targets.
Click to expand...


If accuracy seems skimpy, look at touching up the crown. I got
a 180 series back in 87, and a smithy touched up the muzzle with
brass ball. She tightened up a lot!
 
Mini 14

I just checked my serial number and it starts 188- so it's one of the less accurate. I haven't shot it for a long time but I can say for sure it shoots: minute of chronograph!!! Killed it dead and sent it flying downrange. I sent it to Chrony for repairs and they sent me a new one.
 
I had a total of 5 Mini-14's in the 1980's in the 180 & 181 series 2 Stainless and 3 blue. The 181 was a factory stainless, With the factory folding stock.

Accuracy: Stainless was 5 MOA @ 100 meters/yards. with Military 55 grain ammo. Blue was 3 MOA @ 100, same distance and ammo.

When my brother bought the Stainless Folding stock model new it was the most expensive model semi auto Mini-14 at $369 (1986), I bought the regular stainless for $319. A Bushmaster AR-15 A4 in 1996 was $900 on sale! 1985 ammo price for 5.56 NATO was $8.90/100 retail, I could reload for $4.50/100, if I bought components in large quantities. (first batch of ammo loaded on my Dillon 450 in 1984 was 20,000 223's next 3 batches were 5000 each of 9mm. (reloading cost was $3.50/100; factory Winchester White box was $3.69/50 by the 1000)

By percentage of income, shooting was more expensive back in the 80's & 90's.

Ivan
 
mini 14

Ivan the Butcher said:
I had a total of 5 Mini-14's in the 1980's in the 180 & 181 series 2 Stainless and 3 blue. The 181 was a factory stainless, With the factory folding stock.

Accuracy: Stainless was 5 MOA @ 100 meters/yards. with Military 55 grain ammo. Blue was 3 MOA @ 100, same distance and ammo.

When my brother bought the Stainless Folding stock model new it was the most expensive model semi auto Mini-14 at $369 (1986), I bought the regular stainless for $319. A Bushmaster AR-15 A4 in 1996 was $900 on sale! 1985 ammo price for 5.56 NATO was $8.90/100 retail, I could reload for $4.50/100, if I bought components in large quantities. (first batch of ammo loaded on my Dillon 450 in 1984 was 20,000 223's next 3 batches were 5000 each of 9mm. (reloading cost was $3.50/100; factory Winchester White box was $3.69/50 by the 1000)

By percentage of income, shooting was more expensive back in the 80's & 90's.

Ivan
Click to expand...
it seems that the stainless steel barrel is less accurate than the blue barrel, a weird question of heating perhaps?
 
Fuch said:
it seems that the stainless steel barrel is less accurate than the blue barrel, a weird question of heating perhaps?
Click to expand...

I think Ruger chose their alloy for the machining abilities not the shooting abilities. The barrels on all Ruger rifles (not heavy barrels) that are stainless, don't shoot as well as their blued barrels! Other companies such as Savage overcame this, but have different issues, often price is the biggest issue!

Ivan
 
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We used blued Mini-14s in industrial quantities back in the 1980's. While not varmint rifles, I never saw the accuracy issues some have claimed. However, due to the design of the gas system, putting a bipod on the fore end seems to do weird things to point of impact, possibly due to vibration changes.

I tested a used Mini with 42 rounds through it and found out the original owner didn't know what the knobs on the rear sight were for. However, after moving from 25 to 100 yards, couldn't find the impact. Put a LARGE target up and tried again from the bipod and found the hits ~2 feet low, but a good group. Fired from prone, no bipod, right on target.
 
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Cool setup on my 581 series. Had some extra rail doing nothing so I added a CT rail laser on it.
 

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I've only owned 1 Mini14, a GB model I got from a La. State Trooper with all the bells and whistles (folding stock, flash hider, 2-20rnd Ruger mags etc.), just before, or just after the AWB kicked in in 1994. Never fired it, or bought any 5.56 ammo. I had my 1990 M1A as a 'real' rifle and 5.56 just didn't impress me in the least. Still doesn't TBH. Kept it NIB. Paid $550/$600 if memory serves.

Kept it about a year and saw a small print Ad in the SGN for a NIB Bulgi SLR95 for $995 (not cheap, even back then), but open for trades also. I called him up (this was pretty much pre-internet), and we worked out a straight up swap.

Worked out great! I got a top of the line AK and he got a frilled up Mini14 that I thought mediocre at best.

Still have that AK, but with nice wood furniture and USA made parts to make it legal. It has been my 'go to' house rifle for close to 30 years now.

I wonder if whomever ended up with that GB has kept it as long and been as happy as I've been with the Bulgi.

Rob
 
I have one and just love it. Great rifle and has this classic look that it is impossible not to like. Mine works fine with Aguila, Federal and Tula Ammo.

Congratulations
 

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sipowicz said:
In California we call that a URG...”under the radar gun” as it will do the exact same damage in the exact same time as an AR but since it isn’t all black and doesn’t have the evil pistol grip and retractable stock, the gun grabbers haven’t gone after banning it. I’m sure once it is used in some high profile crime, it will be the next to go, most likely with all semi auto rifles.
Click to expand...

Hope they never see the A-Team :)
 
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