Rifle and Optics Forums > Ruger Rifles and Shotguns

Why keep the older Mini 30

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finisher:
I have a very early Mini 30 that I purchased around 91 or 92. I doubt if I've put more than 100 rounds through it doing just casual plinking out to 100 yards.
 
First of all know that I do not reload (one day i'll get into it).
 
I am considering selling this rifle in order to help fund a Springfield SOCOM as I have an AK and an SKS shorty that I love. But I just won't scope either of them
 
But I'm also tempted to put a cheap but durable piece of glass on the mini just to see. I like the Saigas but I like the top loading capability of the Mini more.
 
Now since I don't reload, I'll likely be shooting mostly the cheap stuff which I understand is .310 or .311 caliber. What effects, in regards to accuracy and mostly SAFETY, will this have in my Mini which I am told is a .308 bore? Is it  safe?
 
Are the newer ones which supposedly have a .310 bore (I've heard varying accounts of .309 & .311 but mostly .310) better suited for the cheap ammo I don't expect match grade accuracy, just the ability to hit (JUST HIT) a target  about the size of  say a 5 gallon water jug out to 300, maybe even 500 yrds or so.
 
And what happens for those who do reload .308 caliber bullets and fire them in the newer wider diameter bore?
 
How much advantage will the OLD or NEWER scoped Mini have over the open sighted AK or SKS on the targets I described with the cheap ammo.
 
If none significant, I would say sell it and save up for the SOCOM. But I'm looking for a not so expensive (cheap x39 ammo VS. SOCOM) reason to give this old Mini a chance.
 
Appreciate any and all opinions.
 
 

Omaha-BeenGlockin:
If you get the Springfield, you'll need to take up reloading just to feed it without killing your wallet.
The 7.62x39 isn't really a long range cartridge---think 200yds as your max distance.
Now the Ruger makes 20 rd mags for it---the Mini-30 has kind of come into it own---get a couple mags and have fun with your Mini.
The older mini-30's might not be the most accurate--but either .308 or .311 will be safe to shoot---Ruger planned on that---see which one works best in your gun.

Lloyd Smale:
Id get the socom! there great guns and i wish i would have gotten one back before i retired. About the only way new guns come my way anymore is trading. Ive had a couple mini 30s. there ok guns. they are reliable with good ammo but arent as reliable as a socom and dont shoot as well either and sure dont have the cool factor. Ive had quite a few mini 14s too but just never could get attached to one. Ive got an ar in 762x39 and an ar10 which are both good guns but still dont have the cool factor a socom has.

finisher:

--- Quote from: Omaha-BeenGlockin on April 18, 2012, 11:08:58 PM ---
[you'll need to take up reloading just to feed it /quote]
I've been avoiding this like I avoided buying a safe..."for that price I can buy another toy" I'd say. But after my first child was born I knew I shouldn't put it off any longer....you know. But I will make it happen and I can even see fair possibilities in the x39 with those .308 bullets.
Thanks,
Finisher
--- End quote ---

finisher:

--- Quote from: Lloyd Smale on April 19, 2012, 05:10:12 AM ---[About the only way new guns come my way anymore is trading./quote]
I'm not retired But I'm not making the kind of money I was during the construction boom. I'm sort of in the same boat with a limited income.
I have been trimming alot of the unneeded fat sitting around in the safe, either selling it or trading it for simple, durable guns, that I can pass down and, that I'm actually going to put to use. The SOCOM certainly fits that bill for me and I know what you mean about the "cool factor".
 
The .223 has little use to me other than a cheap and abundant ammo supply for a mid range "shredder" like my AR. The x39 isn't much more but it does have just a little more "umph!" than the .223. And it's the only COMMERCIAL (meaning cheap and abundant-remember, I don't reload) middle ground between the .223 and .308 Win.
 
I guess thats why I'm tryin to convince myself to keep it, otherwise I'll need to save even longer for that SOCOM. I'd like to get it before another fear sparked buying fenzy starts and the prices really become unreachable.
--- End quote ---

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