Mini 14 6.8 SPC vs. Mini 30

[Jason_G]

Alright, I'm looking for a ranch rifle/carbine in a chambering that will kill deer and hogs effectively within 125 yds or so, and be quick enough for follow up shots on close up hogs if necessary. I would also like it to be cheap enough to plink with. The first thing that came to mind was the Mini 30 (7.62x39), but then I saw the Mini 14 is offered in Remington 6.8 SPC. I know the Russian caliber is cheaper to shoot, but the 6.8 has slightly more impressive ballistics. I've got a dilemma now. Anyone who knows about both calibers care to help me weigh these options?

Thanks
Jason

[FALshootist]

I've used an SKS to hunt pigs with remington soft point ammo and it works great. The SKS is really nice because its cheap and hold up well to any abuse the weather may throw your way. You also don't cry when you slip and fall in the swamp mud or rocks with it. I think the SKS is a better gun than the Ruger for alot less money.

However, the 6.8 spc is very tempting and when I can find a chrome lined, 20 inch barrel I'm going to build an upper for my AR. I think that the accuracy of the AR and the ballistics of the 6.8 will be a real winner both on the range and in the woods for pigs and deer.

[reginhild]

The ballistics through the air are not that much different. The terminal ballistics when using OTM (open tip match) ammo is better in the 6.8 if you want massive bullet fragmentation - this is what the 6.8 was designed to do - fragment after 1" penetration with Remington OTM and Hornady OTM ammo - great for self-defense/anti-personnel/military use but not what you want for most hunting.

With SP or other hunting designed ammo you should get similar results in both 7.62x39 and 6.8.

[gmarr]

I'm a fan of the Mini-14, have one in .223, and have been looking at getting the Mini-30 for some time now. I especially like what I've read about the 6.8 and look forward to trying it. Both calibers are excellent for their purpose. Hogs, deer, and home defense. Decisions...decisions...

My only concern is that Ruger only offers 5 rd. magazines. There are after-market mags (20 and 30 rds.) but they're not reliable. If Ruger offered a 15 or 20 rd. factory magazine I'd break out the credit card in a heartbeat.

[Grim_Reaper]

I'd still go with the 7.62x39.:D

[john in jax]

The 6.8 does have impressive ballistics and should work well for hunting with good shot placement.

However, I'd choose the 7.62x39 mostly because it is more common and cheaper to shoot. It is a round that has proven itself over time and more and more rifles are being chambered for it. 7.62x39 is a ral good +/-100yard hunting round and a variety of ammo for it can be affordably purchased at gun stores, sporting goods stores, and even Walmart.

Right now 6.8 is more expensive and harder to find. If you reload it is no big deal, but if the 6.8 does not catch on then it will only become more expensive to shoot and harder to find.

[FALshootist]

If you already have an AR I think a 6.8 upper woould be great. There are alot of good .270 caliber bullets out there. Its just another interesting choice.

[Adian]

My cousin had to many bad experiences with the 7.62x39 round in a SKS, if I am not mistaken he lost about 6 to 7 deer with it over a number of years. He still insists that its a good round and since then, I have yet to invite him to my deer lease. I shoot a 270 Win. with the Remington 50% off recoil ammo, this year I have harvested 3 deer with this set up, two shots within 15 yards and one shot at 130 yards the deer ran no further than 25 yards. This is why I lean towards the the 6.8 SPC its billistics are similar to that of a 270 with the 50% off recoil ammo by Remington. Good luck

[bedlamite]

That rifle is really good for zombie threads.

[jimbob86]

What's the bore diameter on the Mini-30? Hornady's fith ed. sez it has a .308 diameter bore ...... if this is the case, then is it a bright idea to use cheap foreign ammo?

If this is the case, then either caliber is a handloading and/or spendy factory ammo proposition with that rifle.....

[LSnSC]

Ive got a 6.8 SPC that I built on an AR platform. I shot half a dozen deer with it this season and about twice that many last summer on nuisance permits. Its worked very well, better than I expected actually. There are some really good bullet choices in 6.8 as well. Barnes built it 95 gr TTSX specifically for the 6.8. Nosler has the 100 and 110 Accubonds, both engineered for the 6.8. Ive used the Sierra 110 Pro Hunters as well. All three bullet gave good penetration and expansion from 50 to 250 yards on deer.
If you primary concern is hunting, Id choose the 6.8. If you want to burn cheap ammo the 7.62 x 39 would be better.