Posted on 03/29/2012 4:54:07 PM PDT by pfflier
Do any Freepers out there have an opinion on the Ruger mini 14 .223 ranch or tactical carbine? I researched online and comments are good.
I have one in stainless for my boat love it
We own one, a stainless Ranch model. As long as you don’t expect too much from them you’ll be good. They are not AR’s.
Cant shoot NATO rounds.
The manual states this:
“AMMUNITION (580 series mini14 and above)
The RUGER® MINI-14® RANCH RIFLES are chambered for the .223
Remington (5.56mm) cartridge. The Mini-14 Ranch Rifle is designed to use either
standardized U.S. military, OR factory loaded sporting .223 (5.56mm) cartridges
manufactured in accordance with U.S. industry practice.”
Reliability?
Accuracy
Quality?. From what I read they are more tolerant of dirt in the action and less accurate than an AR-15.
I'm stuned that you haven't attached a beeber-like device to it.
They do that every day in Thailand. Seriesly.
Useful when it's time to scarmable.
Is it limited to Winchester .223?
They are basically M14/Garand rifle carbines. The Garand action and gas system is superior to any gas impingment system. There is a reason ARs have to be constantly cleaned to prevent jams, and took 25 or 30 years to perfect. Mini-14s can shoot the 5.56 NATO as well as the .223 Remington round. I shoot NATO rounds for plinking in my Mini-14 all the time. I would recommend the Mini-30 and the more versatile 7.62X39 round however. I often carry a mini 30 here in the Alaska bush as a long arm, very easy to pack and has plenty of stopping power.
They are not as accurate as an AR.
The manual states this:
“AMMUNITION (580 series mini14 and above)
The RUGER® MINI-14® RANCH RIFLES are chambered for the .223
Remington (5.56mm) cartridge. The Mini-14 Ranch Rifle is designed to use either
standardized U.S. military, OR factory loaded sporting .223 (5.56mm) cartridges
manufactured in accordance with U.S. industry practice.”
The Ruger Mini 14 Ranch Rifle is an excellent carbine. It will shoot both .223 Remington and 5.56 NATO.
“Cant shoot NATO rounds.”
They most certainly can.
Don’t expect too much in the way of accuracy, especially once the barrel heats up. They have a tendency to string shots vertically. They are very reliable and well made.
Mrs L prefers it to the AR.
Yeah they can, do it all the time. NATO green tip in battle packs.
I'm not as accurate as an AR anymore. Age does that to you. No point in owning a rifle that shoots better than you do. ;)
/johnny
I have a Mini-30 and load my own ammo. I have been able to develop a low-velocity (subsonic) load using 190 grain bullets, which I found to be very accurate at 50 yards, but they won’t stabilize out to 100. What I wanted was something to shoot armadillos in the yard at my farm place at night without disturbing the neighbors. It’s interesting that a round like this, at 1100 ft/second, retains nearly all its muzzle velocity almost out to 100 yards with the high ballistic coefficient of the 190 grain spitzer bullet.
Personally, I think the Mini 14 is a great rifle as a varmint(coyote) gun.
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