-
- Species
- Whitetails
- Rut Reporters
- Deer Camp
- Big Game
- Small Game
- Birds
- Special Methods
- Bow Hunting
- Conservation
- Heroes of Conservation
- Hero for a Day
- Outdoor Skills
- Total Outdoorsman Challenge
- Land for Sale
-
- Species
- Bass
- Trout
- More Freshwater
- Saltwater
- Catchbook
- Special Methods
- Fly Fishing
- Hook Shots
- Conservation
- Heroes of Conservation
- Hero for a Day
- Outdoor Skills
- Total Outdoorsman Challenge
- Land for Sale
-
- Health & Fitness
- F&S Adventurer
- Outdoor Skills
- Total Outdoorsman Challenge
-
- Rifles
- Shotguns
- 2nd Amendment
- SHOT Show
- Outdoor Skills
- Total Outdoorsman Challenge
Print
Email
Share
Hunting
Mini30/Mini14, your thoughts and experiences?
Uploaded on November 23, 2009I have been kicking around another rifle purchase recently. I've had my eyes on either the Mini14 or the Mini30 for a while. I wasn't quite up to the challenge of coming up with enough cash for the run-on-guns priced AR-15, but I figured I could get a new Mini for $650 or used for probably $550 to 600.
I can't hunt deer with a rifle in Ohio, but varmints and plinking would be the purpose of this rifle.
The Garand-style action was something I liked as well, which is pretty hard to find in anything except a Garand, besides a 30-06 might be a little much for varmints.
So I guess I'm more or less already decided: but I'm open to suggestions, and let me know what your experiences have been.
ADVERTISEMENT
Message Boards
ADVERTISEMENT
Today on Field & Stream
Loading...
Visit Our Sister Sites at Bonnier Corporation
| Enthusiast | Kiteboarding | QUAD | SKI | Skiing | Scuba Diving | Sport Diver | TransWorld Ride BMX | TransWorld Business | TransWorld Motocross | TransWorld SKATEboarding, | TransWorld SNOWboarding | TransWorld SURF | WakeBoarding | WaterSki | Warren Miller Entertainment | WindSurfing |
|---|---|
| Travel | Caribbean Travel & Life | Destination Weddings & Honeymoon | Islands | Meeting Traveler | Resorts & Great Hotels |
| Lifestyle & Shelter | Florida Travel & Life | Garden Design | Home Ft. Lauderdale | Home Miami |
| Luxury | SNOW | Spa |
| Marine | Boating Life | Cruising World | Fly Fishing in Salt Waters | Power Cruising | Marlin | Motor Boating | Sailing World | Salt Water Sportsman | Sport Fishing | Yachting | NewBoats.com | UsedBoats.com | YachtBroker.com |
| Outdoor | Field & Stream | Outdoor Life | SHOT Business |
| Parenting | Babytalk | Parenting |
| Science | Popular Science | Science Illustrated |
| Saveur | Saveur |
| Working Mother Media | Working Mother |
| Entertainment / Events | World Entertainment Services | World Sports & Marketing |
Fieldandstream.com is part of the Field & Stream Network, a division of Bonnier Corporation.
Copyright © 2012 Bonnier Corp. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.
The mini-thirty is a lot of fun to shoot but its definately not the most accurate.
POS
I have always wanted a mini 14 myself, but for years I have heard of inaccuracy, misfires, failure to feed etc. Alot of the "tactical" forums have reviews and more info, after reading this info I have decided NOT to buy one even tho I really like the looks of them, I can't justify spending that much money for something that is as controversial (quality wise) as the mini's.
I carried a Mini-14 .223 professionally for way too many years. For its designed purpose I really like it and it is on my list. However, if I was looking for a varmint rifle I would probably be looking for a quality bolt action with great optics in maybe .22-250. I never fired the Mini-30 but did own an AK briefly and really was not all that impressed by the 7.62 X 39. But, thats just me.
I gotta go with Dave. For it's designed purpose. The Mini-14 is great. It's an outstanding ranch carbine and I want one to go in my truck. But a hunting rifle, it's not. I'd stick with the .223, but change the platform. And the 7.62x39 only performs well in the SKS. I have an AK, as well. I call it my "support weapon." If I need to send a lot of lead down-range, and don't care what it hits... that's the one I grab. Lol
I bought a Mini-14 years ago and got rid of it for accuracy reasons- couldn't hit s###. Years later I was issued a stainless Mini-14 to carry in my patrol car. It was for shooting large sized 2 legged critters at not to far away. I didn't care for either one. It was not for hitting small objects at far away distances. I wouldn't waste money to purchase one but each to his own choosing.
I opted for the 6.8 Rem SPC.
At this point, it's as accurate as I can shoot. I'm getting a 2" group at 100 yards with iron sights. The one deer I shot with it died in it's tracks. DIRT (Dead, Instantly, Right There!)
The purchase was to assist in the wholesale slaughter of the local feral hog population. Still hunting hogs, long ranges are 35 to 40 yards. Cover is VERY thick! (pigs like creek and river bottoms!)
In my state, a clip fed semi-auto is legal, as long as the mag holds NO MORE than 5 (five!) rounds.
At this point, I am not disappointed in my purchase! Use the rifle quite often, easily disassembled and cleaned. Accurate enough for what I use it for.
The deer was a target of opportunity. If I'm deer hunting, I use a scoped rifle!
Bubba
I had a mini 14 a few years back, I loved it, but it was for fun, not for hunting or anything. Like the others stated, its not the most accurate, but it is fun to shoot. I sold it to make ends meet one month, but if i had other options at the time, I would have kept it.
Post a Reply
I carried a Mini-14 .223 professionally for way too many years. For its designed purpose I really like it and it is on my list. However, if I was looking for a varmint rifle I would probably be looking for a quality bolt action with great optics in maybe .22-250. I never fired the Mini-30 but did own an AK briefly and really was not all that impressed by the 7.62 X 39. But, thats just me.
I opted for the 6.8 Rem SPC.
At this point, it's as accurate as I can shoot. I'm getting a 2" group at 100 yards with iron sights. The one deer I shot with it died in it's tracks. DIRT (Dead, Instantly, Right There!)
The purchase was to assist in the wholesale slaughter of the local feral hog population. Still hunting hogs, long ranges are 35 to 40 yards. Cover is VERY thick! (pigs like creek and river bottoms!)
In my state, a clip fed semi-auto is legal, as long as the mag holds NO MORE than 5 (five!) rounds.
At this point, I am not disappointed in my purchase! Use the rifle quite often, easily disassembled and cleaned. Accurate enough for what I use it for.
The deer was a target of opportunity. If I'm deer hunting, I use a scoped rifle!
Bubba
The mini-thirty is a lot of fun to shoot but its definately not the most accurate.
I have always wanted a mini 14 myself, but for years I have heard of inaccuracy, misfires, failure to feed etc. Alot of the "tactical" forums have reviews and more info, after reading this info I have decided NOT to buy one even tho I really like the looks of them, I can't justify spending that much money for something that is as controversial (quality wise) as the mini's.
I gotta go with Dave. For it's designed purpose. The Mini-14 is great. It's an outstanding ranch carbine and I want one to go in my truck. But a hunting rifle, it's not. I'd stick with the .223, but change the platform. And the 7.62x39 only performs well in the SKS. I have an AK, as well. I call it my "support weapon." If I need to send a lot of lead down-range, and don't care what it hits... that's the one I grab. Lol
I bought a Mini-14 years ago and got rid of it for accuracy reasons- couldn't hit s###. Years later I was issued a stainless Mini-14 to carry in my patrol car. It was for shooting large sized 2 legged critters at not to far away. I didn't care for either one. It was not for hitting small objects at far away distances. I wouldn't waste money to purchase one but each to his own choosing.
I had a mini 14 a few years back, I loved it, but it was for fun, not for hunting or anything. Like the others stated, its not the most accurate, but it is fun to shoot. I sold it to make ends meet one month, but if i had other options at the time, I would have kept it.
POS
Post a Reply