gqucool [OP]

For all of you members out there who own a Ruger Mini 14 Ranch Rifle, what factory ammo have you used that gives the most consistant feeding and accuracy?? All I have shot thru my Mini to date was 40 rounds of some Russian made cheap steel cased ammo. That was used just because the day was too darn cold to really check the accuracy I shot this ammo more for function of my gun. I had no malfunctions and the rifle seems just fine in that deptment. But I have a myriad of different sorts of ammo right now from some Military Ball ammo to some Fiocchi fmj's etc. anywhere from 50-62 gr fmj's. I do reload but I am wanting to first get a supply of brass before I start to reload henceforth the buying of factory ammo right now. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!!!

liberalsmakemepuke

Actually, as much as I hate to admit it, my Mini likes Wolf 62 gr. FMJ about as well as anything I've ever shot. It seems to prefer 62 grain in general, and no lighter than 55. The 1 in 9 barrel twist isn't enough to stabilize the big boy match shooters either. I have shied away from Wolf ammo, though it is really only from feeling like I'm beating the crap out of my rifle shooting steel case. I have heard arguments on both sides of this. I have had some decent luck with their brass case ammo, but in 5.56, the saving really isn't enough to send my money overseas.

Mostly I just buy bulk lots of whatever 62 or 55 gr. I can get a good deal on. I try to shoot in the same lot, as it is made to so many specs, sometimes you have to move your scope a couple of clicks if you're being fussy. It all performs accurately enough in the field. Of all the Mil spec. ammo, I think I've had the best luck with Lake City.

Anything smaller than 55, and it would just send them flying every which way but where I wanted them.

bestseller92

I mostly shoot Rem-UMC 55 grain FMJ.

westmorgan

When I still had my mini14 I usually shot Fed, Win, or Rem 55gr .223 rounds whichever was cheapest at the time. Sometimes I would fire LC 5.56. Never had any problems with feeding or extracting and accuracy was not the greatest. Never could really tell much difference.

gqucool [OP]

Well I have a mix of some ball ammo some Fiocchi, some Remington some of the American Eagle Tactical, some cheap brand of Russian made stuff steel cased I bought at Cabela's but not Wolf Brand but I shot 40 rounds the other day worked great. But trying to collect ammo in general and also get some reloading supplies as well never can have enough ammo! But still good to get some advice here from you great members!!

TN.Ruger

my mini-14 isn't exactly the most accurate rifle in my battery, so...haven't noticed much of a difference between loads as far as accuracy goes? the gun is really just a plinker for me anyway, so I usually just shoot whatever is cheapest that particular week. "Bob" the cardboard silhouette target hates my mini-14...

it is dead-reliable...never had a malfunction of any kind.

kayaknjames

PMC 55 grain seems to be consistant at about $8.00 a box. About 2 inch groups at 75 yards.

LFH

Back this past hunting season, I was trying different ammo in my three .223's and discovered that the Mini 14 has a definite preference for Hornady 40g V-Max The one with the pink plastic tip. Shot some of the tightest groups I have ever shot in that old stainless ranch.

Then killed a couple of hogs with it, using those rounds.

texas tiger

So you should not shoot 5.56 in the mini 14's

ditto1958

Why not?

gfw1985

Only the target barrel is limited to .223 Rem. The others do just fine with either.

Fackler Rebel

UMC ball 5.56 in all three Mini's I have owned. Gun shop wanted to sell me a AR-15, I told him I would put my Mini up against any AR-15 out to 150 yards or so, FOR WHAT it was designed for, to engage and take down a man sized target at that range. Carried a M-16 in the Army and was not impressed. Give me the M-14 or a sweet Garand if you want to talk accuracy and range. Old eyes going to hell so it's a moot point. Wait to you can see the whites of their eyes is my mode nowadays.

Reb

Specs

I am having good success with Silver Bear sp or hp and Golden Bear hp. If I shop it hard I can buy it for just over $4.00/20 online in 500 round lots..

heymatthew

I've had my Mini for about 3 weeks now. In that time I've shot Winchester 5.56 (Brass), American Eagle 5.56 (Brass), American Eagle .223 "AR Tactical" (Brass), Wolf .223 (Steel), WPA .223 (Steel) and Brown Bear .223 (Steel, Laquer) and Freedom Munitions .223 (Brass). All have shot flawlessly. Of the 210 rounds that I've shot, I had 2 rounds that FTF and they were from the Freedom Munitions box, but I put them in the next magazine and pulled the trigger on them again and they fired perfectly. I have yet to see the gun jam or malfunction in any way. I haven't even cleaned it yet.

I'm able to hit a 20oz soda bottle at 50 yards off-hand, standing at least 60% of the time. at 25 yards, I can do a serious amount of damage to a full can of soda or a white potato. Minute-of-potato is good enough for me. From a rest, using good trigger control, I can get 2" groups at 50 yards, which is enough for me. I'm using iron sights so I can't even see the target at 50 yards to tell where I've hit.

Long story short, I have yet to find that my Mini is picky about anything and for plinking or home defense or even a decent-sized hog (which I have yet to do), it would be fine.

damartineztx

Hey guys,
I'm a newbie to this site and I'm just now getting to know my way around here.
I just bought a brand new Ruger Ranch Rifle and I was wondering what is the best and most accurate hunting ammo for my new baby?