harryball

I got the mini-30. I'm running WPA steel cased Ammo without a problem. TulAmmo has a problem and fails to fire on the first strike. Some other crap ammo I got when I bought an SKS won't even cycle. I think I paid $240 for 1000 rounds for the WPA. Accuracy doesn't seem to be a problem.

Had some fun here with a network drive of which I hold a very low opinion.





/RB

funkymonkey1111

the cost of 7.62 ammo is considerably less that 5.55/.223. Is that what you were going for there?

texas jack

I have read the 7.62x39 is in the same class as the 30-30! Not that they are the same.
My Mini 30 has about 2000 rounds through it mostly steel case very few problems.
My poor M1 has become a safe Queen...
I have owned several Mini14's 223 never kept them very long.
Mini 30's are just fun to shoot.

bwinters

I like both calibers but if I had to choose I would take 223. My 308 can be downloaded if I want lighter recoil.

P89Guy

probably because a lot of guys fear light strikes with cheap russian steel........i've read that even extra power hammer springs don't always cure it.

I know guys who have had no problem with their mini30s and cheap russian steel, and others who have nothing but problems.

So if yours runs cheap russian steel fine....it's cheaper. If you need brass x39.....its more expensive than .223/5.56

the mini-14 typically eats every .223/5.56 from what i understand and is less of a gamble

Redleg

When I implied .223 was cheaper I was basing that on the fact that I won't buy the Russian steel crapola. Around here the ranges won't even let you shoot it. And I have heard from friends that the Mini 30 doesn't do well with it.

If I were out in hunting country I might well go with the Mini 30. But I still wouldn't shoot the Russian crapola.

Mayor Al

I shoot the Russian Golden Bear ammo now and then. In the last 6 months, perhaps about 500 rounds. I have had just a couple of FTF in that useage. My hunting ammo is also Russian, and I have had no issues with about 100 rounds expended of the 154 gr 7.62x39mm.

I did stop using any of the Russian HP ammo, as it seemed to be the cause of many complaints for FTF in Mini-30's (and Saiga's). I use a lot of FMJ for playing and spinner targets, and SP rounds for hunting and related shooting activities.

deadduck357

Decisions:

14 for rabbits - coyotes
30 for hogs - deer

For defense: either.

wingspar

I should retake this photo. I didn’t have any steel cased ammo in .223 when I took this photo. I do now.

kingfish15

I had the same dilemma. Solved the problem by getting one of each. If I had to have only one, I would lean towards the mini-30.

nathan260

I bought the mini 30 first. Had so much trouble free fun that i bought a mini 14. i've had so much trouble free fun with my mini 14 that i went out and bought a 10/22 with a bull barrel and trigger job.
Now i can have even more touble free fun because the 10/22 is a whole heck of alot cheaper to shoot. $15 gets 525 rounds of 10/22 where $15 gets me 60 rounds of 5.56 or 7.62

So i say buy them both and maybe a third..

Nathan

Lee D

the Mini14 is a better choice imo for home defense (.223 vs .30 commie), and ive seen plenty of deer dropped (i know...illegal) with a .223...plus, if you reload, the .223 can be loaded down to near .22 mag performance. i know itd make the Mini a single shot, but itd put alotta food on the table.

Sr40ken

Many states allow deer to be taken w .223, and many have.

harryball

I still like my Mini-30. If I could only choose one, I'd choose the 30 (and did) but I have different rifles that fit in the smaller calibers and the .223 would overlap capability. That is what mainly drove my decision. I might get a 14 in the future, but for now I'm good. I see no reason one is better than the other, which one fits best?

TMB

Why not Mini-14 & SKS