Thread: Mini 14 s/s

Ok looking at Mini14 "A" cat, for quick take down of Fallow deer and possums at 80m to 120m.
Go bigger cal or sufficient cal for the job ???

Good enough cal. I reckon you should consider a bolt rifle. It ll probably be way more accurate . Not saying Mini 14 are not accurate but
I ve seen 223 rifles in bolt action that drill 10 cent pieces all day at 100 + mtrs... Be the same or less coin to get set up..

Get an AR if you want a semi auto

Originally Posted by Beavis

Get an AR if you want a semi auto

That's sensible, but I've decided I'm going to gave both

Originally Posted by Beavis

Get an AR if you want a semi auto

That's sensible, but I've decided I'm going to have both

Hmm I already have bolt action .223, with reasonable scope and suppressor, good for longer shots, but was looking at snap and shoot at close range.
After taking my first deer the other night, with my .223 bolt, I could have easily had both deer, but wasn't quick enough on the reload and finding target again with scope at short range.
My thought was small 2.5x or red dot or just open sights at sort range to get off a couple of good shots, but was concerned that the semi auto may lack stopping power.
My thoughts to the Mini 14 was I did have a M1 30cal carbine many years ago, and found it bloody reliable and good for scrub shooting pigs in Oz.
I believe the gas systems are the same type and not too much goes wrong with them, but have seen on the forums that AR's tend to have issues with the gas blocks ??

I have both an AR and the new model mini 14 with a 2-7 redfield. Have used both for hunting and the AR is defiantly more accurate. But the mini just feels handier in the scrub when hunting and is plenty accurate out to 150m.

Good caliber 223 is great for what you described.

You would be better with an AK or an AR, better parts availability.

Nah no issues with the gas blocks, every gas block gets hot that's just normal.

And of course what Brand AR15, there are so many, what is junk and what isn't ??

A good 99% of "problems" you hear about with AR rifles it nonsense. You can get them for around the same price as a Mini 14 these days. Much better accuracy potential and quicker, smoother follow up shots, cheaper and more available mags etc

Don't get a Chinese made Ranger from Gun City if you want a quality AR. Digit sells a range of models so it would be worth giving him a call as a starting point.

Originally Posted by Beavis

A good 99% of "problems" you hear about with AR rifles it nonsense. You can get them for around the same price as a Mini 14 these days. Much better accuracy potential and quicker, smoother follow up shots, cheaper and more available mags etc

Rugers website list their own AR 556(gas inpingment model) at $750 and their mini 14 at $940.

If your hearts set on a mini 14 try to get one in 7.62x39 slight overkill on posssums but steps up easily to reds if you need to. As has been said before overkill is underrated.

used a mini 14 for goats culling and took the odd fallow as well....using 55gr hornady sp from Belmont. ....never missed a beat in the 3 hard years I used it.....all shots were inside 100meters

As a former Mini-14 owner, there are things you learn to hate about them - mine being a modern one it shot well enough, 2" groups was the norm but they're not the quietest actions out there, actually, it was like cycling a howitzer...

And don't expect to find any ejected brass, they typically end up somewhere beyond the horizon.