Ruger Mini carbine - caliber choice

[GNLaFrance]

Ruger Mini-14 = .223 Remington, Mini Thirty = 7.62x39mm.

Priorities are KISS, availability, and ease of reloading.

If you wanted a Ruger Mini carbine, which caliber would you choose, and why?

 

[Zombie_013]

I would probably get the Mini-30 if I purchased another because I can share ammo with my SGL-20

 

[GNLaFrance]

I would probably get the Mini-30 if I purchased another because I can share ammo with my SGL-20

It'll be my first rifle caliber anything, so ammo sharing won't be a factor to begin with. But you're making me think of the future - what if I want another one? Hmmm...

 

[Kman]

I like my mini 14.

I would fill the 7.62x39 role with an AK, Saiga or SKS. You might even be able to get 2 Saiga or SKS (or mix and match) for the price of one mini 30.

 

[Name Taken]

Most of the cheap 7.62x39 isnt reloadable is it?

 

[GNLaFrance]

Most of the cheap 7.62x39 isn't reloadable, is it?

Good point. Apparently a lot of the cheap stuff is Berdan primed and a huge PITA to reload. I'll be using only brass Boxer primed stuff from reputable sellers.

 

[yellowsled]

I would look forward and ask myself do I foresee myself getting a AK variant or AR variant next? That would answer it for me.

 

[GNLaFrance]

I would look forward and ask myself do I foresee myself getting a AK variant or AR variant next? That would answer it for me.

Actually, I can't foresee that. Nothing against them, just not interested.

 

[erwos]

Good point. Apparently a lot of the cheap stuff is Berdan primed and a huge PITA to reload. I'll be using only brass Boxer primed stuff from reputable sellers.

You definitely don't want to invest in 7.62x39 or 5.45x39 if you can't stand steel-primed and/or berdan-primed ammo... so I'd go with 5.56x45 in that case.

 

[mbz300sdl]

I have two of the 14s and want to get a 30 and i know someone that wants to but a 300 blackout in one,

 

[BUFF7MM]

Don't forget about the mini in 6.8 SPC.

 

[Al's Snackbar]

I've heard of way too many problems with the firing pins breaking on the 7.62x39. Anyway for that price, at that caliber, might as well get a Romanian AK.

 

[fivepointstar]

i prefer the Mini 30 but the 7.62x39 isn't that reliable in my experience

 

[MDMOUNTAINEER]

I'd go mini-14. Brass case, boxer primed brass is way more prevalent in .223/5.56. There are a ton of people that don't reload it either. Most 7.62x39 you'll find at the range is steel cased anyway.

There are more mini-14's as well as more mini-14 parts available as well.

Just my .02

 

[mopar92]

Mini 14 for reloading 5.56 is cheaper its harder to find brass 7.62x39 and the cheapo stuff in .223 is usually brass cased and boxer primed whereas cheapo 7.62x39 is steel and berdan primed. Also the 5.56 will generally be more accurate to because of the thicker barrel.

 

[ADR]

I'm not much of a rifleman myself but of the ones I do have, I personally like/enjoy the 7.62x39 round the most overall. I've never shot a Mini 30 so I can't offer anything there but it seems like there's some good advise already posted and IMO, the .223 supporters make a pretty good argument.

 

[rj1974]

Go with the Mini-14 I have a few and they are great handy lil carbines. I have never had an issue with them as far as ammo steel , brass whatever , they will eat anything . Just stick to factory magazines .

 

[NY Transplant]

I have two Mini-14s and my next one would be one in 6.8 SPC. I have a Savage in 30-06 so if I wanted another 30 caliber gun it would be a 30-30 lever action. I'm not all that impressed with the 7.62x39 round.

 

[Jimbob2.0]

14, 7.62*39 while a fine caliber is best savored in an AK for cheaper and cheaper mags.

 

[-Z/28-]

Mini-14.
Mine eats what ever .223/5.56 I through in it. Also Mini-14 mags are easier to find and usually cheaper than Mini-30 mags.