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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skydiver386

Participant

January 11, 2012 at 4:33 am

The Ruger is relatively reliable , but will never be able to run with the AR types. The Ruger is a nice, light rifle that is styled similar to an M-1A or M-14, but the trigger is very heavy and this limits accuracy. Bedding is also an issue and it takes a lot of work for any gunsmith to coax the Mini into a properly fitting stock. Roach already mentioned another common problem with the Mini with the gas block. Add to all that the fact that scoping a Mini is a nightmare in comparison and you can see why most choose the AR.

Your best bet would be an AR-15 type in .223/5.56. Most will deliver outstanding accuracy, mags, parts and accessories are everywhere and you can convert any AR platform to dozens of other calibers.

22 LR
204 Ruger
5.7 FN
5.56/223 Rem
.300 Blackout/Whisper
.30 AR
.458 Socom

The list goes on and on.

Anonymous

Inactive

January 11, 2012 at 1:20 am

Roadcheeck, you are a star, thank you. The 30 AR is something I will start looking at.

Ruger apparently retooled their mini line in 2005 and since then reports are the have good accuracy at an increased price. I’m interested in the 223 or 7.62 target models in synthetic because of semi-auto and traditional lines.

This is a late 2012 purchase and my first center fire rifle so I want to gather as much quality opinion and experience as possible.

Any others with experience?

roachcreek

Participant

January 10, 2012 at 11:47 pm

Not for a lot of years on the Mini.

I never had one that shot well, and I had a few.

The barrel clamp for the gas system is attached with four clamp screws, that chokes the barrel down from .224 to .222 on the ones I have slugged, nothing can shoot well when that is done. I even had a Douglas barrel put on one as Ruger barrels were at the time wilson barrels which were not high quality.

But that was a lot of years ago, can’t really say how they are now. At the time SKS’s would shoot far better than the Mini 30’s. It was a shame, I was in love with M1A Super matches at the time and wanted a smaller version.

I knew some guys that did get Minis that shot well and they were superb, I just never could get my hands on one, AR’s on the other hand were always superbly accurate for me, the 1/12 SP-1 barrels being the best.

If I wanted a short cartridge 300 in a semi, I would go with the Remington 30 AR on the AR 15 platform, it is said they will do 2800 with the 125 Nosler BT.