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Ruger Mini's, 30 cal, 223, and 6.8mm
Red_Fly
Member Posts: 41 ✭✭
I just came across an article that has totally confused me, I am looking for clarification.
The article stated that the Ruger Mini 30 would shoot 7.62x39 ammo. I always belived 30 cal carbine shells did not have raised shoulder. The article also stated that the Mini 14 would fire .223 cal and the 5.56 Nato.
As I understand the 6.8 is (according the same writer) a .270, does this mean that the Ruger 6.8 will shoot the .270 Winchester.
I'm looking for something that will fill the gap between my 9 mm carbine and my AK 47 without having to sell my first born.
Feedback is appreciated.
The article stated that the Ruger Mini 30 would shoot 7.62x39 ammo. I always belived 30 cal carbine shells did not have raised shoulder. The article also stated that the Mini 14 would fire .223 cal and the 5.56 Nato.
As I understand the 6.8 is (according the same writer) a .270, does this mean that the Ruger 6.8 will shoot the .270 Winchester.
I'm looking for something that will fill the gap between my 9 mm carbine and my AK 47 without having to sell my first born.
Feedback is appreciated.
Comments
Mini 30 shoots 7.62x39 like the AK you have NOT .30 Carbine.
7.62x39 is a normal bottle neck shaped round that fires about a 125gr bullet, where the .30 Carbine round is a "straight" walled round like a pistol and shoots a 110 gr bullet. If done metricly the .30 Carbine would be a 7.62x33.
ANY .30 caliber bullet is 7.62mm, this does not mean the loaded rounds are interchangeable. Here is a link you NEED to read, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caliber
Just like with the .30 caliber a 6.8 rifle uses a .270 caliber bullet NOT the .270 Winchester rounds. 6.8 is the metric measurement for .270 caliber (inch).
Yes you are right about the .223 and 5.56 Nato being interchangeable since they happen to be the same round. Just like .308 is 7.62x51 aka 7.62 Nato.
+1 on what Nwcid said. Don't be too confused when you hear various calibers talked about.
The 7.62x39 shoots a .310-.312 diameter bullet. As did the Russian 7.62x 54 before it. The 7.62 is the diameter of the lands...not the bullet. Sometimes, this overall diameter (.310-.312) is referred to as 7.65, such as the Belgian/Argentine. True 7.62 is .300 land diameter and .308 overal bullet/bore diameter. Also, the .30 Cal Carbine does not have a shoulder, but the overall dimensions don't indicate that.
The 6.8 is a generic measurement for the .270 diameter bullet. If you were to give it a true measurement is would be 6.86mm (like the 7.62/7.65 where the measurement was carried two places. The bullet would measure .277" in diameter. The case of a 6.8 SPC is 43mm long and has a shoulder. The case of a .270 Win is 64mm long and has a shoulder. Again no mention in the adopted measurements that the 6.8 has a .422 head and the .270 has a .473 head. That's the back of the bullet where you can read what it is.
Lastly, the 5.56 and the .223 are almost one in the same. The dimensions are all about the same for SAAMI spec and NATO spec. The difference is the pressure is much higher in the{edit for oreegun} 5.56 NATO cartridge. It's dealt with by extending the throat or leade to allow it to achieve max velocity and not get over-pressured. Firing a NATO 5.56 in a .223 chamber can result in too high of pressure and the chance you could blow a case.
Cartridge nomenclature and measurement values can take a while to learn if you don't dedicate yourself to it on a consistent basis. Learn and remember what you can. The most important thing to remember is to go to your manual when you don't know. If it doesn't explain it to your satisfaction ask a question here or another reloader.
-Hope that helps
Mini-14- 223Remington/5.56x45mm nato
Older mini-14s are chambered to shoot .223 Remington only.
New mini-14s will fire both .223/5.56x45. The 5.56x45 is the same basic deminsions as .223Remington round but the 5.56x45nato round is loaded to higher presures and should only be shot in guns chambered for it. You can get hi-caps 20,30, shot box mags And 90, and 100 round drums
The three main 5.56x45 loads on the market now are M-193, M-855heavy ball, and M-856 heavy tracer.
mini-30- 7.62x39mm, the 7.62x39mm is the same round as the Ak-47 and SKS are chambered to fire. you can get hi-caps mags 20,30 shot, no readily available drums. .30 carbine is a completely different round and should never be used in the mini-30,sks or ak-47.
mini-6.8- 6.8x43mm Remington spc. no one makes Hi-caps mags yet 10,20,30 mags so you may not want to buy one. Never try to put a .270winchester in a 6.8x43mm.
It's not hard to get confused where cartridge nomenclature is concerned. There are a bunch of aberrations when it comes to cartridge names. The simple solution is to borrow or buy a copy of a book titled:
Cartridges of the World
This book is a compendium of most cartridges from around the world, which includes some history or each, reloading data for some and a dimensions chart at the end of each chapter.
In the mean time, here are a couple of pictures for comparison:
7.62x51_7.62x39_5.56x45
.30 Carbine_7.62x39_5.56x45
Best.
Good information thanks for sharing.
It never occured to that it would be a 7.62.
Again be careful with that statement since ANY .30 caliber IS a 7.62. It is the numbers or name after it that count. Also there are pistols that are 7.62 as in the 7.62x25. On the other end you have guns like the .300 Win Mag and RMU that are long cases that shoot heavier bullets but are still 7.62mm diameter.
Doug
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