New Mini-14 or AR-15?

[CowboyT]

The RUGER® MINI-14® RANCH RIFLES are offered in two calibers :the .223 Remington (5.56mm) cartridge and the 6.8mm Remington SPC cartridge. The Target Model uses .223 Remington cartridges only.

Page 12 of the manual, CowboyT. The confusion made me wary enough to check.

Repeated on page 13:

RUGER® MINI-14® RANCH RIFLES are offered in two calibers: .223 Rem. (5.56mm) and 6.8mm Rem. SPC. The Target Model Mini-14 is chambered for .223 Remington ammunition only.

http://ruger.com/products/_manuals/mini.pdf

What year is the target rifle? That might explain why the manuals appear different.

Not sure what year it is, but my manual doesn't have the new "Copyright 2009" on it like that PDF does, so I'm guessing it's a 2008 or earlier gun (maybe the "older" Mini Targets are better? ). Now, how a brand new, American made, 2008-or-earlier semi-auto rifle in .223 Rem sat in a dealer's stock for two-plus years, throughout the Obama-inspired gun rush, is beyond me, but since it was a decent deal, I ain't complainin'.

[Vahunter]

If only you could find one of the non-ranch models that were chambered in .222 then you'd be sittin' on something worth a lot of $$'s. I think most of those were shipped overseas.

[zephyp]

Tell me about it! There was a dude on MDShooters that posted something with (I believe) his Remington 700 and from 300 yards, he was getting 0.35" and smaller groups. Really scary. And no, I don't believe he was lying.

So, Mindflayer, when are we going shooting? Just PM'd you.

If he's got a decent gun, ammo, and bench sled then that is doable...but its hard to get everything to line up every time to be sub-MOA consistent at 300 yards...if he can then he's got almost as much invested in a bench sled as his scope...

[LFS]

If only you could find one of the non-ranch models that were chambered in .222 then you'd be sittin' on something worth a lot of $$'s. I think most of those were shipped overseas.

And, as I recall, most of them had the gas piston removed effectively making them bolt action rifles. Why would these be worth any money?

[gunderwood]

If only you could find one of the non-ranch models that were chambered in .222 then you'd be sittin' on something worth a lot of $$'s. I think most of those were shipped overseas.

And, as I recall, most of them had the gas piston removed effectively making them bolt action rifles. Why would these be worth any money?

If I had to guess because they are rare? Most people in America wouldn't want it, so they went overseas...good luck ever getting any of them back into the country. Collectors like odd things.

[LFS]

If only you could find one of the non-ranch models that were chambered in .222 then you'd be sittin' on something worth a lot of $$'s. I think most of those were shipped overseas.

And, as I recall, most of them had the gas piston removed effectively making them bolt action rifles. Why would these be worth any money?

If I had to guess because they are rare? Most people in America wouldn't want it, so they went overseas...good luck ever getting any of them back into the country. Collectors like odd things.

The only thing seriously collectable in the Mini-14 line are the old Ruger factory folding stocks. They go for about $400. I've seriously wondered why Ruger hasn't started making those again.

[rromeo]

The only thing seriously collectable in the Mini-14 line are the old Ruger factory folding stocks. They go for about $400. I've seriously wondered why Ruger hasn't started making those again.

Because somebody there is sitting on 10,000 of them and releasing one on gunbroker and all gun forums in the country every 3 1/2 weeks.

[jrswanson1]

If only you could find one of the non-ranch models that were chambered in .222 then you'd be sittin' on something worth a lot of $$'s. I think most of those were shipped overseas.

And, as I recall, most of them had the gas piston removed effectively making them bolt action rifles. Why would these be worth any money?

If I had to guess because they are rare? Most people in America wouldn't want it, so they went overseas...good luck ever getting any of them back into the country. Collectors like odd things.

Mini-14s in .222 were made for overseas sales to places that didn't allow private ownership of military caliber firearms.

Jim

[Drewsifer]

Well I hope you're happy, I got bored at work and reread this thread, and now I want a Mini-14. Seems like a perfectly fine alternative to an AR.

[gunderwood]

Well I hope you're happy, I got bored at work and reread this thread, and now I want a Mini-14. Seems like a perfectly fine alternative to an AR.

No.

Either is a perfectly fine alternative until you have the funds to own both!

[Drewsifer]

Well I hope you're happy, I got bored at work and reread this thread, and now I want a Mini-14. Seems like a perfectly fine alternative to an AR.

No.

Either is a perfectly fine alternative until you have the funds to own both!

I like the cut of your jib good sir. Now to make it so!

[LFS]

I think this is one of the best threads yet on this forum... a very fun and cordial discussion about these two types of firearms. Normal Mini-14 vs AR-15 threads on other forums go south in a hurry.

[rromeo]

Is there already a Saiga vs Mini 14 thread? Maybe I'll start it tomorrow.

[CowboyT]

Well I hope you're happy, I got bored at work and reread this thread, and now I want a Mini-14. Seems like a perfectly fine alternative to an AR.

No.

Either is a perfectly fine alternative until you have the funds to own both!

Hmm...OK, I've got to agree with that. While the Mini is a lot of fun to shoot, so were both AR's that I tried recently. Perhaps some day I will also have an AR of some type.

[Mindflayer]

Don't get me wrong - I still love shooting the AR-15. There's something about the Mini-14, though, that makes it more fun to shoot lately. Maybe it's because of the action, or that it eats anything I feed it. If the SHTF, there's not doubt I would grab both

[OleMan]

I think this is one of the best threads yet on this forum... a very fun and cordial discussion about these two types of firearms. Normal Mini-14 vs AR-15 threads on other forums go south in a hurry.

I agree, this forum is more 'cordial discussion' than some of the others. I just went thru a similar decision as the OP. Wanted a semi-auto in a 'medium' caliber with less recoil but enough power for deer. I chose the Mini-14 Ranch Rifle in 6.8 SPC and just picked it up yesterday. I was sorely tempted by a number of the AR pattern rifles in 6.8 SPC or 6.5 Grendel, and badly tempted by the Springfield M1A, but the Mini was a better personal choice for me.

My thoughts related to arguments about rifles (and other firearms as well):
There are probably more bad shooters than bad rifles.
My old eyes may put me in the bad shooter category, but I will enjoy my rifle.
A bad rifle is one that is damaged or poorly made.
Some old, damaged rifles are treasures you keep in the family.
A good rifle is one that is well made and well maintained.
There are no bad calibers - they all suit one or more purposes.
A good caliber is one that suits the shooter's purpose(s).
Love of a rifle or a caliber can lead to much debate.

[tyler6971]

I have had both too.but the way i went WITH the ROCK RIVER CAR 15 .223 THE RIFLE IS GREAT.IT COST 1100 BUT ITS GREAT.ALSO I ADDED A FREE FLOAT TUBE AND A TTI MUZZLE BRAKE. the rifling is great.if you get one you will love it.

[Reverenddel]

YUP! I own both... Great guns.

"The only thing seriously collectable in the Mini-14 line are the old Ruger factory folding stocks. They go for about $400."

Little known fact, those folders were made by a company called "Falcon" for the Ruger company, and sold some as aftermarket accessories. Not valued nearly as much, but I put a Choate Fixed Stock on my Stainless Mini-14, and it looks great.

[surefire]

I love the AR15 platform. The Mini 14 is great as well, and I would do well with either. But if you want to spice up the rifle with gear, the AR is the way to go.