jimdana1942
oldtimer
Thinking of buying a Ranch Rifle in .223. What is the backgound on this rifle? Anything I need to know or watch for?
Might buy Mini-14 Ranch, is it a good Rifle?
- Thread starter jimdana1942
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Richard in LA
Mag Whore
Factory 20 Round mags are @ $50 each, and very few of the aftermarket mags work. I agree with the above poster, and unless you are getting one heck of a deal, go with an AR, and the abundance of accessories and mags that are on the market.
Agreed.
I have to agree also. I picked up one a few months back, put about 50-60 rounds through it and sold it last week. The guy that bought it is going to use it hog hunting which will be fine for that. Also the mini-14 can only shoot .223 rounds, not 5.56. It will shoot 5.56 but it is dangerous to do so because it is not designed to handle that round. So if somehow a 5.56 round got in there it might end up with a kaboom.
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CavalryJim
Well-Known Member
Also the mini-14 can only shoot .223 rounds, not 5.56. It will shoot 5.56 but it is dangerous to do so because it is not designed to handle that round. So if somehow a 5.56 round got in there it might end up with a kaboom.
Not true. The mini is completely safe with NATO 5.56 and .223 Remington.
Per the instruction manual (p. 11), "The Mini-14 Ranch Rifle is designed to use either standardized U.S. military, or factory loaded sporting .223 (5.56 mm) cartridges manufactured in accordance with U.S. industry practice." Underlining added by me.
http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/PDF/InstructionManuals/55.pdf
My mini has been through 1000s of rounds of 5.56 without a single issue.
This is just part of the info that researched. I picked up a used one and iirc going by the serial it was an older model. It doesn't state it in this link but from all the research most info said if it was stamped .223 on the breach it was not advisable to shoot 5.56 in it. It may only apply to the older models. Most of this is based on the pressures. Again, I am just going by all the reference from all the data I found when re-searching. This is one link:
http://www.thegunzone.com/556v223.html
http://www.thegunzone.com/556v223.html
nickatnite
Crybaby Hater...
They are good weapons. I've got several. The receiver is based on the M1 platform.
There are a few good places to get aftermarket work done if you want to. One place in Colorado (Accuracy Systems) does great work and guaranteed.
Click here for Accuracy
There are a few good places to get aftermarket work done if you want to. One place in Colorado (Accuracy Systems) does great work and guaranteed.
Click here for Accuracy
I had one and then sold it a year later. It was mostly reliable w/ factory mags ($40 each). Non-factory mags are junk.
I also recommend the AR15 instead. Little more expensive, but cheap mags, reliable and more accurate. Time to embrace the evil black rifle
I also recommend the AR15 instead. Little more expensive, but cheap mags, reliable and more accurate. Time to embrace the evil black rifle
My primary reason for choosing a 14 over an AR is reliability in less than desirable conditions. Throw an AR and a mini into a yucky muck, wait a couple of weeks, take them out and rinse them off a little and see which one fires without failure. I'm betting on the 14. As far as accuracy goes, not very. About as good as an Ak on a good day.
I would not have a problem firing either .223 or 5.56 in one. For varmint hunting choose an AR.
I would not have a problem firing either .223 or 5.56 in one. For varmint hunting choose an AR.
whbonney26
Well-Known Member
I have a couple mini 14's and they are very reliable. Likes said above though. The AR can fit any need and can be had for just a little more. I have had mine for years but the prices on them now seem to be in the 500 + range.
You can get good magazines for them from Cabelas though for less than 50.00 in both nickle and blued.
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/t...h-box.jsp.form1&Go.x=0&_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/t...h-box.jsp.form1&Go.x=0&_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1
You can get good magazines for them from Cabelas though for less than 50.00 in both nickle and blued.
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/t...h-box.jsp.form1&Go.x=0&_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/t...h-box.jsp.form1&Go.x=0&_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1
jimdana1942
oldtimer
Been looking for an AR and the dealer I've been talking to says they are hard to find now and high cap. mags for any gun aare getting very costly if you can find one.
Also, I read that the Mini-14 had accuracy and functioning issues but Ruger fixed them with the introduction of the Ranch Rifle in 2003. Is that correct to those of you that have one?
Also, I read that the Mini-14 had accuracy and functioning issues but Ruger fixed them with the introduction of the Ranch Rifle in 2003. Is that correct to those of you that have one?
If you are still looking for an AR AIM has these. I do not know anything about the manufacturer.http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/Del-Ton_DTI-15_5.56_Carbine.html
