223 vs 7.62×39 vs 308
I’m looking at an AR platform or Mini-14 or Mini-30 firing a 223, 7.62, or 308. I have shot 223 and 308 from ARs and was wondering if anyone had experience and advice on the Ruger Mini series and the calibers listed.
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well now that you say for those ranges and for Texas deer and Yote
I would Def go with .223
Get a 1/9 twist barrel then shoot the 60 grain nosler partitions for deer and Varmint grenades in 50 grain for coyotes and Vermin
get one of these !!!
http://www.impactguns.com/fn-fs2000-tactical-semi-auto-rifle-223-30-rd-green-3830000000-818513002899.aspx
or this is more suitable
http://www.mossberg.com/products/default.asp?id=44§ion=products
this is a sweet shooter too
http://www.dpmsinc.com/store/products/?prod=6012
if I may ask, what are you looking to have the gun do? This could help narrowing down the options. The ideal use of a Mini-30 is quite different form a long-barreled AR 308, for example. 😀
At lot of good feedback so far.
Primary purpose is 100 and 200 yard paper punching. Followed by the capability of taking a Texas white tail or coyote if I go on a hunt although I have no plans. Finally, for a SHTF scenario I want something that can be used in a 50-100 yard home defense situation when a pistol won’t do.
So, I’m interested in cartridges with light/moderate recoil, and I don’t have a strong preference on the AR platform although I like the ones I’ve shot that have match triggers. If I can get a conventional looking auto loading rifle that would be great.
You all have experience that is helping shape my choice of caliber and then gun.
Here ya go>
http://www.300blktalk.com/forum/
If you life in a free state, the Blackout can be suppressed very effectively with a 9mm pistol can. Very cool.
Crowpopper, MMMMMm MMMMMM, that sounds friggen sweat. Gonna be a BOOMER for sure as well as accurate. The 6.5×284 is a hell of a round.
Libertyman, 300 Blackout, 220 gr SMK at 1000 FPS. Ok, i’m interested. I’m going overload myself on youtube videos on these rounds……..SEE YA!
If you want to stay with the AR15 lower receiver, then I recommend the .300 Blackout. Uses factory 5.56 mags and the standard OEM bolt. Performance essentially mirrors 6.8 SPC (a little better in a short barreled rifle, a little less in 16″).
It is a 5.56 case that is trimmed down to 1.358″ and necked up to .30 caliber. Shines in supersonic with 125-155 grain projectiles but is also a superb subsonic platform for suppressed shooting, running 220 grain SMK at 1000 fps. It’s really a great all purpose platform.
I had a mini 30 many years ago and the gun peformed flawlessly, personally I recommend staying away from 7.62×39 because the trajectory is not very flat. As for the other calibers the .308 is great for hunting four legged animals and the .223 is great for urban areas.
HTH.
SSS,
if I may ask, what are you looking to have the gun do? This could help narrowing down the options. The ideal use of a Mini-30 is quite different form a long-barreled AR 308, for example. 😀
That is correct. The 556 brass is slightly longer at the shoulder/neck than the 223. If you shoot 223 in a 556 rifle you are simply fire forming the brass to match the slightly larger ‘military spec’ chamber.
There are some ultra lightweight receivered 556 autoloaders that don’t recommend 223 I think. Something about the pressure and expansion of the case being problematic. But I could easily be wrong about this one.
I just know my buddy bought a couple thousand rounds of LC brass 556 rounds and I took one apart (removed the powder and destroyed the primer by filling the case with water until it dissolved then pushed it out with a depriming die) and replaced the ball to replicate the length of a loaded round, the bolt wouldn’t close. 😡 I even tried removing the ball and just trying the unfired case, the bolt still wouldn’t close. 👿 I don’t put loaded ammo in my rifle unless i’m at the range (it’s Jewell trigger is very, very sensitive and it makes it real easy to misfire when closing the bolt if I happen to brush the trigger).
I hear you can size the fired cases to get them to work in 223 chambers if you make sure you push the shoulder back far enough. I have a LE Wilson case gauge for verifying the headspace is absolutely correct.
I was waiting for someone to mention this. I know at least some rifles that are chambered for .223 won’t take the NATO 5.56 (such as the NEF’s), but it’s my understanding that most if not all of the 5.56 chambers will accept .223
Something to consider if looking to shoot bulk 5.56
yes I LOVE the 6.5’s
I have a 6.5 x 284 14 inch barrel being done by MGM barrels now should be done pretty soon actually it will be installed on my TC Encore pistol!! that thing is going to be one Sick pistol
A friend has a Mini-14 and it doesn’t shoot for shit.
Apparently the Target model is the one to get for those rifles. But I have my doubts it would be any more accurate… The best thing about that particular model is it can shoot 223 & 556 ammo. I have a 223 rifle that will not take the 556 ammo.
The sweet thing about the AR platform is you can swap out barrels/uppers for different types of shooting.
If your looking to go big i’d recommend the SCAR in 308, pretty sweet rifle there!! Just really expensive.
Ahhhhhhh, Crowpopper, i see you too are a 6.5 MAN,,,,,,,,,,,NIIIICE!!!! Them 6.5 have very high BC and SD numbers and kick lightly.
oh and on the Ruger
Yes they are reliable BUT to get anything resembling accuracy ( – 1 inch at 100)
you need some coin put into it and it will never compete with a decent AR
Dont get me wrong the Ruger is Purpose built and fills that void perfect
It can run any ammo and not jam no matter how much dirt and mud is caked in it but they were never designed for Real tight groups
Go with a Rock River or Dtech
Get a Trigger done
Get a 6.5 Creedmoore or 6.5-.284 or the 6.5 Grendel
all Capable of 1000+ yards and both very accurate
Had a RockRiver befor with a nightforce scope All decked out Trigger broke at 12 oz
only thing is it was in .223 with a 1-7 twist it was very very accurate but I only wished i had gone with a 6.5 instead
Good luck and Post some pics of her!
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if I may ask, what are you looking to have the gun do? This could help narrowing down the options. The ideal use of a Mini-30 is quite different form a long-barreled AR 308, for example. 😀
At lot of good feedback so far.
Primary purpose is 100 and 200 yard paper punching. Followed by the capability of taking a Texas white tail or coyote if I go on a hunt although I have no plans. Finally, for a SHTF scenario I want something that can be used in a 50-100 yard home defense situation when a pistol won’t do.
So, I’m interested in cartridges with light/moderate recoil, and I don’t have a strong preference on the AR platform although I like the ones I’ve shot that have match triggers. If I can get a conventional looking auto loading rifle that would be great.
You all have experience that is helping shape my choice of caliber and then gun.
I don’t have personal experience or anything, but I’m wondering what you think off a lever-action 30-30 loaded with the 125grain Federal blue box (cheap) load (Sierra FNHP) at around 2500fps or something similar with a low power variable scope set-up for shooting both eyes open on it’s lowest power (preferably 1X)?
For inside the house defense scenarios (if you are actually going to use a rifle in the house instead of a shotgun), maybe the “reduced recoil” 125 grain loads often shot by the recoil sensitive/youth hunters? Lots of folk report great accuracy with the blue box 125grain Federal load with impressive terminal ballistics on deer. Seen a few reports from folks that really like that set-up for double-duty as a defensive/whitetail rifle.
There are some defensive-oriented ballistic tests somewhere online comparing the 125grain Federal 30-30 loading to other stuff (don’t recall if other calibers were compared or not), and the 125grain Federal load was a clear favorite. The lever action is a bit antiquated in design I guess but hey….it IS the original assault rifle. Kinda.