mini 30 vs mini 14

brickmaster1248

is the mini 30 any more accurate than the mini-14? The reason i ask is i used to own a mini 14 and was very unsatisfied with its accuracy so i sold it. Today i was asked if i was interested in a mini-30 for 350.00 dollars. It seems to be a good buy but im alittle concerned about the accuracy. Now i dont expect it to cut holes at 100 but i would like to know if it should shoot 2 inches at 100 or is this not likely to be the case?

Grasshopper

Buy it,, 350 is a good price,, some ballistics as a 30-30...close anyway, I think//nambu

MrGunz22

I have a mini-30 and it is by no means an MOA rifle. I've never shot it from a bench at a 100yd target but at 50yds it shoots 1.5" groups with Winchester ammo. I consider that accurate enough for a semi-auto packin 30+ rounds. The wolf ammo is not as accurate.

5mmgunguy

I have owned them both...they shoot about the same. 3 - 4 inch pattern (some people call it a group) at 100 yards...that is on the average because sometimes you can find an ammo combination that is better...accuratized the Mini 14 (can do tha same for the Mini 30)..gets the group down but still 1 to 1 1/2 inches at 100 yards.

dppatrol

i had a mini 30 years ago that would shoot 3" groups at 100yds with decent factory ammo(fixed 4x also)for 350 you'll get a reliable brush/truck/camp/plinker that will kill whitetails,takes high cap mags and eats cheap russian surplus.

rsnyder55

Had both, kept the Mini-14 because of the ton of ammo I have. Sold the Mini-30 and now shoot an SKS with chromed chamber and bore.

If you go with the inexpensive 7.62X39 ammo, this is usually lacquer coated.

iwannausername

Consider that for the price you can also get a new Saiga in either caliber, may be a better option for your uses.

MFI

Agree on the Saiga !!

JustC

buy it at $350, and resell it to someone who thinks it is worth $450. Take the extra hundred bucks and put it toward an AR.

moreammoplz

I had a Mini 30 and the accuracy to me was worse than my Mini 14. With that said $350 is a good deal. New guns are over $600.

I still own a mini 14 and mine is a keeper. My dad had a mini 14 years ago and his shot 5 inch groups at 100 yards. My 14 shoots 2-3 inch groups. I have a 3x9 mounted on it.

Mini 30 mags are harder to find.

dfletcher

quote:Originally posted by brickmaster1248
is the mini 30 any more accurate than the mini-14? The reason i ask is i used to own a mini 14 and was very unsatisfied with its accuracy so i sold it. Today i was asked if i was interested in a mini-30 for 350.00 dollars. It seems to be a good buy but im alittle concerned about the accuracy. Now i dont expect it to cut holes at 100 but i would like to know if it should shoot 2 inches at 100 or is this not likely to be the case?


I doubt you'll routinely get 2" at 100 yds with a factory Mini. I think 3" or so is a more realistic expectation. I shortened my Mini 14 (5.56) barrel to 16.25" and it actually helped a bit. I figure at 100 yds if I can keep my shots in "about 3"" I'm doing fine.

drobs

The other problem with the Mini-30 is the lack of functional high capacity mags.

The only saving grace I see with the Mini-14 is there are expensive factory Ruger 20rd mags that work.

I too would say you are better off getting an AK style rifle or SKS over a Mini-30. It does everything the Mini-30 does better.