Warning

 

Close
Confirm Action

Are you sure you wish to do this?

Cancel Confirm
AR15.COM
Armory Sponsor
1/9/2003 8:37:51 AM EDT
Does this thing shoot the surplus (or wolf and other commie bloc) ammo?

I have a friend looking into one, and heard issues about the .308 diameter bullet, and the .311 diameter.  

Are all 7.62X39 created equal?

Thanks

TXLEWIS
1/9/2003 10:00:45 AM EDT
[#1]
Try here for a start, little discussion, follow the replies.

subguns.biggerhammer.net/reloading.cgi?read=6031
1/9/2003 1:35:44 PM EDT
[#2]
Hit or Miss, One case works the next case does not. But it is not the bullet diameter that matters, It's the primers, I had to recock & double hit about every other round in one case the next case worked fine!
1/9/2003 1:45:45 PM EDT
[#3]
If it was made before 1990 it has a .308 bore. If it was made after it is .310.
1/12/2003 10:02:08 AM EDT
[#4]
is that it? Older than 1990, it is 308, and after 1990, the 311?

Thats all?

Does this mean that the newer stuff can use the surplus or wolf stuff, or can they both?

Thanks

TXLEWIS
1/12/2003 10:09:07 AM EDT
[#5]
The Ruger Ranch rifles have a rep of being tough little bastards. Feed anything, shoot anything. Accuracy is terrible though.

Before he buys a gazillion rds of Wolfe, have him get 100rds or so of it & test it out first.

My .o2
1/12/2003 11:35:19 AM EDT
[#6]
Here's a tip for you Ruger Ranch owners:  Buy a surplus M1 Carbine adjustable rear sight, file the dovetail of the sight itself to match the rifle, and install.  Midline the windage adjustment on the sight, and drift the sight for initial windage zero.  Pick an appropriate elevation setting, and file the front sight for initial elevation zero.  Use Improved Santose method for initial sighting-in.
1/12/2003 2:54:16 PM EDT
[#7]
Thanks Bob and Raf.
And the rest of you guys also.
TXLEWIS
1/12/2003 2:58:40 PM EDT
[#8]
I know this doesn't help much but my mini 14 loves wolf.
1/12/2003 5:10:41 PM EDT
[#9]
FWIW, My mini-30 prefers Silver bear.  I shot a couple battle packs of chinese, but primers were too hard.  I had alot of no fires.  Wolf was ok, but not great.  Silver Bear works great.  As far as accuracy goes, I get 4" groups at 100M using a 1x32 T/C scop.  I've had a Simmons AETEC on and shot 2-3" groups. IMO, this kind of accuracy is fine. My other "dandy" rifle is a Marlin .44mag lever action.  It does not shott as well at 50M or 100M.  ZT
1/12/2003 7:16:15 PM EDT
[#10]
The great obershutze916 clued me in to the bore diameter issue.  (Many, many thanks oh great obershutze916!).  I even called the factory to confirm it.  Pre-1990 models have a bore diameter of .308-.309.  After 1990 they went with .310-.311.  Ruger recommends against using ANY foreign made ammo.  However, the Wolf stuff did shoot and function fine in my post-1990 model.  The Wolf ammo has a bore diameter of .310 (someone please correct me if I’m wrong).  I still ditched the foreign stuff in my 30.

I would, however, like to challenge BobCole on the accuracy issue.  It seems that after I did nothing more than add a Choate draganov type stock to my mini-30 the accuracy improved GREATLY.  The stock was a tight, tight fit.  I scoped the thing (Leupold Vari-X II 3-9X40) and it will hold 2 MOA off a rest (and I’m NOT that great a bench shooter).  In defense of Bob and others who doubt the mini (14 and 30) accuracy, it does seem to be hit or miss (is that a pun?).
1/12/2003 8:39:45 PM EDT
[#11]
Used to have one, the key to accuracy IS that tight fit. I glassbedded the wood to the action where it slides into the front ahead of the gas port, and the rear of the action with the plate that holds the trigger group.  If you looked you could see the epoxy kind of around all the gap between the metal and the stock.  If you looked inside, there was no gap between the plate and the trigger group.  She shot well after the work, but it was a crapshoot whether it would go bang the first time.  If you really need a 7.62x39 that can take a scope, and are planning on handloading and using only factory 5 round mags, they are great.  If you want hi-cap, and do not need a scope get some ak variant or buy a couple of sks.
1/13/2003 10:30:00 PM EDT
[#12]

Quoted:
I would, however, like to challenge BobCole on the accuracy issue.  



Go ahead, cousin. >gg<  IMO, the Mini is along the lines of the SKS on accuracy, perhaps a bit better with a scope. But when compared to any other .30 cal rifle (Carbine, Garand, AR-10, lever action, etc.) the Mini always seems to come in dead last in accuracy.

Of course, I may be comparing apples to oranges. The more accurate comparasion may be the SKS & AK?

Personally, I would pass on buying a Mini.
1/14/2003 2:35:36 PM EDT
[#13]
the only reason I would ever by a mini is it may be the last legal pos semi to own.

Im an ar guy, got the 10, got the 15

will get a mi and an ak and a cetme in the future.

Thanks one and all for your input, and please, don't think the thread has to die.

TXLEWIS
Armory Sponsor