Ruger mini 14 ammunition suggestions wanted

Celo456 · December 12, 2009, 10:05 PM

I have a ruger mini 14. it is a older rifle made in 1976. I inherited it from my father, and I Do not know of it's life prior to 1990. But i do know it is in wonderful working and looking shape so I assume it was babied, and I want to keep it in this shape. I bought some Russian made surplus ammo. Upon hearing this a few people I know who claim to know better than I do told me this is a mistake. I could accept this but I can't get a straight reason why. Some say it will compromise my accuracy, others say it will Wear the gun down faster or outright damage the rifles action and barrel. Others have said it won't travel as far, move as fast, hit as hard etc. So what is the real story with wolf .223 Russian, and if thats no good, what should I load?

Relentless Pursuit · December 12, 2009, 10:17 PM

Copper washed steel jackets,ARE hard on barrels.

Wolf makes a multitude of ammo,some which is copper jacketed and corrosion proof(primers),while some of the lineage is far tougher on tubes and mercuric.

As a rule...you DO get what you pay for.

olyinaz · December 13, 2009, 03:37 AM

While the steel ammo is a bit harder on your steel rifle, it's not the end of the world if you just want to shoot up a few boxes. As far as how strong the stuff is I've it's maybe down 50fps or so from good stuff and shoots a bit sooty, but again - not the end of the world.

In general, however, the Mini-14 will give you better results with premium ammo.

Since you don't know the exact history of the rifle and when (or presumably if ever) it's been done, I suggest that you clean the copper out of the bore with some proper copper remover.

Best,
Oly

KMO · December 13, 2009, 06:53 AM

Well, if that rifle has been cared for as you describe for all of these years, why even risk subjecting it to something that may harm it? I've noticed that the Federal box of 100 rounds of .223 (155 gr.) is once again commonly available at Wal-Marts. Get some of that and sell that cheap Wolf stuff to someone whose rifle has not been cared for quite as well as yours...

radom · December 13, 2009, 09:47 AM

Thats a load of bull..most GI ammo is copper washed mild steel..is no harder than the newer copper jacket stuff. Almost all US GI 06 ammo is mild steel copper wash stuff.

Matt19 · December 13, 2009, 10:15 AM

Do be wary of Wolf, especially the steel cased stuff. However, a few boxes of it now and then is not necessarily a bad thing.

stubbicatt · December 13, 2009, 10:52 AM

You could always shoot the rifle with what you have and if it doesn't work to your satisfaction, try something else.

Art Eatman · December 13, 2009, 11:02 AM

I never had a problem with gunshow reloads in my Minis. I guess I'd look around, find some reloader and try a few of his loads and then buy in bulk. Otherwise I guess I'd buy US-made stuff or PMC. Sellier&Belot works okay in my AR.

I just don't like to mess around with ammo where I hear about steel cases or varnish or steel jackets. I don't see the point to using that stuff.

Celo456 · January 20, 2010, 02:49 AM

Thanks again for all the info. It was helpfull

Celo456 · January 20, 2010, 02:50 AM

Thanks again for all the info. It was helpful

Celo456 · January 20, 2010, 02:54 AM

Thanks again for all the info. It was helpfull

Celo456 · January 20, 2010, 03:16 AM

Thanks again for all the info. It was helpfull

Celo456 · January 20, 2010, 03:17 AM

Once again,Thanks again for all the info. It was helpfull

hagar · January 20, 2010, 11:29 AM

Try some 64 grain Winchester PP loads in your Mini, for mine it was THE magic load. It would scatter surplus 55 grain ammo 2-3 inches at 100 yards, but the 64 PP loads would shoot under an inch, sometimes way under an inch.

greyeyezz · January 20, 2010, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Thats a load of bull..most GI ammo is copper washed mild steel..is no harder than the newer copper jacket stuff. Almost all US GI 06 ammo is mild steel copper wash stuff.

NONE of the milspec 556 ammo I have is steel jacketed. XM193, Q3131a, Winchester M855, none.

December 12, 2009, 10:05 PM	#1
Celo456 Member Join Date: December 12, 2009 Location: Nassau County, New York Posts: 25	Ruger mini 14 ammunition suggestions wanted I have a ruger mini 14. it is a older rifle made in 1976. I inherited it from my father, and I Do not know of it's life prior to 1990. But i do know it is in wonderful working and looking shape so I assume it was babied, and I want to keep it in this shape. I bought some Russian made surplus ammo. Upon hearing this a few people I know who claim to know better than I do told me this is a mistake. I could accept this but I can't get a straight reason why. Some say it will compromise my accuracy, others say it will Wear the gun down faster or outright damage the rifles action and barrel. Others have said it won't travel as far, move as fast, hit as hard etc. So what is the real story with wolf .223 Russian, and if thats no good, what should I load?

December 13, 2009, 06:53 AM	#4
KMO Senior Member Join Date: January 13, 2008 Location: Northern Arizona Posts: 949	Well, if that rifle has been cared for as you describe for all of these years, why even risk subjecting it to something that may harm it? I've noticed that the Federal box of 100 rounds of .223 (155 gr.) is once again commonly available at Wal-Marts. Get some of that and sell that cheap Wolf stuff to someone whose rifle has not been cared for quite as well as yours... __________________ *"In God We Trust"*

December 13, 2009, 10:15 AM	#6
Matt19 Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 1999 Posts: 315	Do be wary of Wolf, especially the steel cased stuff. However, a few boxes of it now and then is not necessarily a bad thing. __________________ In life, you'll have your back up against the wall many times. You might as well get used to it.-Bear Bryant.

January 20, 2010, 02:49 AM	#9
Celo456 Member Join Date: December 12, 2009 Location: Nassau County, New York Posts: 25	Thank u Thanks again for all the info. It was helpfull

January 20, 2010, 02:50 AM	#10
Celo456 Member Join Date: December 12, 2009 Location: Nassau County, New York Posts: 25	Lol Thanks again for all the info. It was helpful

December 12, 2009, 10:17 PM	#2
Relentless Pursuit Junior member Join Date: December 12, 2009 Posts: 116	Copper washed steel jackets,ARE hard on barrels. Wolf makes a multitude of ammo,some which is copper jacketed and corrosion proof(primers),while some of the lineage is far tougher on tubes and mercuric. As a rule...you DO get what you pay for.

December 13, 2009, 03:37 AM	#3
olyinaz Senior Member Join Date: February 24, 2009 Location: Arizona Posts: 877	While the steel ammo is a bit harder on your steel rifle, it's not the end of the world if you just want to shoot up a few boxes. As far as how strong the stuff is I've it's maybe down 50fps or so from good stuff and shoots a bit sooty, but again - not the end of the world. In general, however, the Mini-14 will give you better results with premium ammo. Since you don't know the exact history of the rifle and when (or presumably if ever) it's been done, I suggest that you clean the copper out of the bore with some proper copper remover. Best, Oly

December 13, 2009, 09:47 AM	#5
radom Senior Member Join Date: January 21, 2000 Posts: 1,357	Thats a load of bull..most GI ammo is copper washed mild steel..is no harder than the newer copper jacket stuff. Almost all US GI 06 ammo is mild steel copper wash stuff.

December 13, 2009, 10:52 AM	#7
stubbicatt Senior Member Join Date: September 15, 2007 Posts: 1,707	You could always shoot the rifle with what you have and if it doesn't work to your satisfaction, try something else.

December 13, 2009, 11:02 AM	#8
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	I never had a problem with gunshow reloads in my Minis. I guess I'd look around, find some reloader and try a few of his loads and then buy in bulk. Otherwise I guess I'd buy US-made stuff or PMC. Sellier&Belot works okay in my AR. I just don't like to mess around with ammo where I hear about steel cases or varnish or steel jackets. I don't see the point to using that stuff.

January 20, 2010, 02:54 AM	#11
Celo456 Member Join Date: December 12, 2009 Location: Nassau County, New York Posts: 25	Thanks again for all the info. It was helpfull

January 20, 2010, 03:16 AM	#12
Celo456 Member Join Date: December 12, 2009 Location: Nassau County, New York Posts: 25	Hello Thanks again for all the info. It was helpfull

January 20, 2010, 03:17 AM	#13
Celo456 Member Join Date: December 12, 2009 Location: Nassau County, New York Posts: 25	Hello Once again,Thanks again for all the info. It was helpfull

January 20, 2010, 11:29 AM	#14
hagar Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 2000 Location: Colombia, SC Posts: 745	Try some 64 grain Winchester PP loads in your Mini, for mine it was THE magic load. It would scatter surplus 55 grain ammo 2-3 inches at 100 yards, but the 64 PP loads would shoot under an inch, sometimes way under an inch. __________________ I don't have time for busy people