Originally Posted By: FordBroncoVWJeta
There is a Ruger Mini 14 in .223 at Walmart for $747. I have a discount for 25% (Because I work there). That would make the gun around $610 after taxes. Are the Mini 14s good guns? I have read that the newer ones (2005 up) are more accurate. Purpose of the gun would be for fun and a gun for deer for in the woods. Opinions?
I'm currently shooting 3 Ruger Mini 14's. The top one is a NRA Commemorative Model that has the Hogue overmolded stock, and is scoped. And the other 2 are both tactical models. One blued, and the other in Stainless Steel. All 3 are the "new" Model Mini 14's, (post 2005). That were produced with the slightly thicker barrels, and the redesigned gas block. That were manufactured after the entire Ruger Mini 14 assembly line was retooled. This was supposed to increase accuracy over the earlier produced Mini's. As you may know, Mini 14's are not the most accurate rifles. Part of the reason is when Ruger pressed the gas block on to the barrel, it generated a lot of stress in the barrel itself. Some times to the point when the barrel got hot from frequent shooting it would warp, and in the process walk rounds all over the target. The newer Mini 14's are supposedly void of this problem.
All 3 of my Mini's are not as accurate as any of my AR-15's. In that regard you could say the AR-15 is an inherently accurate rifle, while the Mini 14 is an inherently inaccurate one. With that said, all 3 of mine are more accurate than any older Mini14's I've run across at the range. While the newer one's are not all that accurate, they are consistent, and don't walk rounds when they get hot.
Ruger Mini 14's are extremely reliable rifles, and will run very well clean or dirty, and with most all types of ammunition. One standard feature of the Ruger Mini 14 is they will eject the brass into the next county. All 3 of mine will toss brass a good 20 to 30 feet. This is because as a rule the Ruger Mini 14 is over gassed. They sell adjustable gas blocks for them. But I have never found it to be enough of a nuisance to alter the weapon over. While ejection is very positive, none of mine dent or damage brass.
The price you're quoting is a good one. But if you're serious about deer hunting, don't do it with a Mini 14, unless you get one in 7.62 X 39 MM. That is a far better deer cartridge than the .223 will ever be on it's best day. There are some that will argue that,
but the .223 is a varmint cartridge. Shooting it out of a cool looking black rifle does not make it any more deadly. Yes, it will kill a deer, but so will a .22 L.R. That doesn't make it a good choice. As was mentioned, the Ruger Mini 14 in .223 is a "fun gun". That is why I have mine. The gun is pure joy to shoot. Because of that I hardly ever pack up for a trip to the range without loading at least one Mini 14 with the rest of my guns.... Along with plenty of ammunition for it.
As far as magazines, Ruger factory magazines while more expensive, are the only one's that will function 100% all the time. That is why I don't own ANY other aftermarket magazines for my Mini's. The prices have come down considerably on Ruger Mini 14 magazines recently. And if you watch for sales you can pick them up quite reasonably. With the recent election results that will likely improve even more.
