getting a mini 14

[Guest polishprepper]

What's the difference between .223 and 5.56 NATO? Also what's the best rounnd in that rifle.....Ruger arethey interchangeable?

[TripleDigitRide]

Here's an informative link to your first question.

 

http://www.humanevents.com/2011/02/15/223-remington-vs-556-nato-what-you-dont-know-could-hurt-you/

 

I've always heard that 5.56 in an older mini-14 are a no-go for sure. I have witnessed a few folks using 5.56 in the newer mini-14's. I'm not sure if the improvements to the newer models were good enough to withstand prolonged abuse from the added pressure of the 5.56.

[NRA]

mini should fire both just fine

[swim615]

# 2 is straight from the horses mouth.


http://ruger.com/service/FAQs.html#Q132

select rifles

Can I shoot 5.56 NATO ammunition in my Mini-14 or Ranch Rifle?
With the exception of the Mini-14 Target Rifle, which accepts only .223 Rem. ammunition, .223 Rem. and 5.56 NATO can be used in all Mini-14 rifles and Ranch Rifles.
Please note that "Military Surplus" 5.56mm NATO can vary greatly in its quality and consistency. Edited January 23, 2013 by swim615

[Oh Shoot]

I've always heard that 5.56 in an older mini-14 are a no-go for sure. I have witnessed a few folks using 5.56 in the newer mini-14's. I'm not sure if the improvements to the newer models were good enough to withstand prolonged abuse from the added pressure of the 5.56.

 

Just shows how much urban gun legend is out there, Triple.

 

See Swim's post.

 

The Mini14 has been chambered in 5.56 since its inception in 1973

 

Only the recent Target model is .223 only, and that's really more for accuracy purposes than actual safety.

 

- OS

[TripleDigitRide]

Just shows how much urban gun legend is out there, Triple.

See Swim's post.

The Mini14 has been chambered in 5.56 since its inception in 1973

Only the recent Target model is .223 only, and that's really more for accuracy purposes than actual safety.

- OS

That's good to know. A co-worker just purchased the tactical model from Nashville Armory. He said it was stamped .233, and the salesman told him what I posted earlier. If Ruger says it's OK, that's enough for me.

[Oh Shoot]

That's good to know. A co-worker just purchased the tactical model from Nashville Armory. He said it was stamped .233, and the salesman told him what I posted earlier. If Ruger says it's OK, that's enough for me.

 

Yeah, for some reason, the caliber on the Mini is not marked on the barrels, only a "Cal.223" on the receiver. Has ever been thus.

 

Never seen a statement from Ruger, but it has been opined that when they designed it, there wasn't any commercial ammo out there labeled 5.56x45, so they just labeled it for the designation folks would actually see on the shelves, and just never changed it.

 

- OS

Edited January 23, 2013 by Oh Shoot

[Guest polishprepper]

So I called Ruger and I got from them that it is Absoutley OK to shoot 5.56 NATO from it as long as its not imported is what they said......they said its in the manual which can be downloaded for free from Ruger.com.....TARGET MODELS IS NOT OK!!!! Thank you all for the help.....so what about the other part of the question?

[Oh Shoot]

........so what about the other part of the question?

 

Which one is "best"? Excepting the target, current models are all the same, 'cept for the clothes.

 

Modern models (580 after the first couple of months or so, and 581)  have the improved barrel and sights also, definitely desirable over the older pencil barreled models, some of which also don't have scope bases.

 

Like anything else, good luck finding one for reasonable price during this panic though, old or new. I saw a ratty old one at last gun show apparently go for an even grand, and didn't even have Ruger factory magazines. Oh , the magazines, which have always been pricey, and also even more out of sight right now too. Sorry for all the good news.

 

- OS

Edited January 23, 2013 by Oh Shoot

[NRA]

the newer  580 + serials have better accuracy than the older thinner barrels.  The thinners ones heated up and accuracy declined a bit.

[Oh Shoot]

the newer  580 + serials have better accuracy than the older thinner barrels.  The thinners ones heated up and accuracy declined a bit.

 

Not all the 580 series got the improvements, started after a month or two into that run of serial number.

 

- OS

[Guest polishprepper]

Lmao info is great but which round usually performs best for that rifle

[Oh Shoot]

Lmao info is great but which round usually performs best for that rifle

 

Whichever you can find and afford. The Mini will eat it all, including lacquered steel.

 

5.56 military is hotter than Russian steel which may not chrono but 27-2800 even with 55gr.  Civilian 5.56 is often loaded closer to the military spec than perhaps most .223 in general, but that's not a hard and fast axiom or anything, ammo varies among manufacturers and over time, and bullet weight is one of the biggest variables.

 

Don't know of any source for either that won't reliably go boom.

 

- OS

Edited January 24, 2013 by Oh Shoot

[gregintenn]

Mine shoots the cheap steel cased Russian stuff about as well as anything else. 55-62 grain bullets work better than heavier ones. I've yet to find anything that won't function properly in it.