NCLEO89

Greetings to all of my fellow Ruger fans; my very first posting. I need your input on a possible upcoming purchase. I already have a Mini 14, and of course I love it dearly, but now I'm thinking about adding a stainless Mini 30 to the stable. Having surfed the 'net, I've come across some complaints here and there about them. You guys, please tell me the real deal! Are the 30s as reliable as the 14s? Thanks in advance for any and all help! P.S.: I look forward to much discussion and exchanging of ideas on this forum.

Mayor Al

First of all, Welcome to the group. I think you will enjoy sharing info on this forum.

I do not own a mini-14, but I do have a great Mini-30. I bought it for my wife to use on an upcoming hog hunt. She has now moved on to a Ruger 44 mag carbine and I will be using the Mini-30 for my Hog Gun. It shoots great. Since our quarry will be mainly within the 100 yard perimeter I have sighted it in and done a lot of water jug busting at that distance. it does well with the cheaper Russian ammo as well as some good Hornaday stuff also.

Here's my gun... I hope you enjoy yours as much I have mine !

nathan260

I have a 582 series mini 30 mounted in a ati folding stock.
It eats cheap commie ammo all day long. Havent had a single fail to fire, fail to eject.
The only issue i have is i seem to always run out of ammo.

I had trouble with the scope rings staying tight.

With a good scope im able to shoot 2.5" groups at 100 yrds.

Let the nay sayers continue to claim its a lousy inaccurate rifle.. it will allow me to buy them used on the cheap

Nathan

NCLEO89

Thanks, guys! Anyone else?

Kyle N

Yeah, I've had a SS Ranch model since new for about 5 months. Like most others, not a single mechanical problem, have about 400 rounds through it. All brass case, but a lot were once fired cheap reloads.

Only issue I've had (a non-issue, kinda) is the rear sight vibrates loose all the time. I'm on my second (more liberal) blue lock-tite round. Held through 20 rounds earlier today, not much use. I think this time it'll be good, though. Do it early so you don't need to keep adjusting the sights.

NCLEO89

My Mini-14 Ranch does the same thing.

KKBMTGG/go army

Welcome to the forum.
The straight dope on the Mini 30 is this, It's a dandy little utility carbine so long as you stick to commercial non mil spec ammo. If you're buying it to burn cheap Russian type hard primed ammo you'll be dissapointed as the mini 30 is notorious for light primer strikes.
Some folks get lucky and have no issues with mil spec ammo but that is not the norm. If you intend to shoot American commercial ammo you'll love it like you do your mini 14.
The good news is that running the misfired rounds through a second time often results in a bang so given that the Russian stuff is so cheap, it's still OK plinking ammo, just don't get pizzed when you get some misfires, that's part of the mini 30's "charm"

nathan260

My mini 30 just ate 200 rds of wolf mil spec ammo with out a hic-up.
i now have close to 400rds of nothing but steel cased cheap russian ammo through mine.
other than the scope rings coming loose, which hasnt happened since i cranked them down. I thought i was going to break them, as i was really wrenching on them.

I love mine. My wife even enjoys shooting it..

My only complaint is that the ammo should be cheaper..


Nathan

rjs95

I have a 30 and recently bought a Saiga (ak47). i paid under 300 shipped and will devour all the commie and eastern bloc crap you throw at it. Shoots 2" @ 100 all day.
i love my 30, its built magnificently, looks sweet but i do have a problem with the military ammo. The pin isnt robust enough to hit the military primers and set it off. I must admit the commie gun is a true battle rifle, tolerances are huge and basically made to go the distance.
It will never be built like the Ruger or look as sweet(the AK is not as clean looking and yes its stamped receiver, its fugly) It has a chrome bore and cleans up easily and i dont have a soft spot for her like my Ruger, its a beater and is a great rifle for the truck and around the farm.Just some suggestions. i will admit the price is good on the Saiga but rising slowly But bang for the buck its a decent deal as compared to the high 6's i paid for the mini 30

Ulfric

This is my Mini-Thirty.

I have never had any trouble out of it, and it has eaten anything I have thrown at it. It'll never be my 'grab-n-go' rifle, but it has given me several years of reliable fun and service.

yzingerr

I really want one, but the funds won't allow it (wife!). someone has to be the responsible adult in a relationship!

staff3704

nathan260 - Which Wolf WPA ammo were you using?

Therealmfngrinch

i put accuracy heavy springs in mine and it just won't fire. nothing worse than loading a half struck bullet into sks to alleviate bullet

nathan260

Staff3704,
i thought it was wolf mil spec, but its military classic. I had one box that didnt like to load correctly, but they always fired.

I now have 1000 rds through my mini 30. Almost all of those rounds have been tula ammo, wpa, or herters...

I liked the thirty so much i now have a fourteen and a 10/22.. the 10/22 is so much fun and its cheap to shoot. $15 for 525 rds or remmington 22lr..


Nathan

deadduck357

Have a 30 Tactical and like it very much. It has the newer 'mil type' sights and heavier barrel. Don't know how many rounds through it to date but it has eaten brass and steel cased ammo without fail.