In another post (in the AR15 Ammo forum) it was mentioned that the Ruger Mini-30 has a .308 diameter bore and Wolf 7.62x39 ammo has a .310 diameter.  It was suggested that this would cause heavy barrel wear.  

Can anyone else verify this?  I'm going to call Ruger tomorrow and I'll post their comments.

This was news to me and scared me a little because I've put lots of Wolf down that Mini-30.  Even so, accuracy (for a mini-30) seems pretty good.  I just hope I'm not hurting the barrel.

Just got off the phone with Mike at Ruger.  All Mini-30s manufactured up to and including 1989 had a bore diameter of .308-.309.   All Mini-30s manufactured in 1990 to the present have a bore diameter of .310-.311.

He went on to say Ruger officially recommends using only SAAMI spec or US Military spec ammo and strongly recommends NOT using any foreign made ammo.  It sounds like I might still be okay, but I’d feel better if I just let the SKS have that case of Wolf all to itself.

Time to look for new fodder for the Mini-30.  Heck, I don’t think I’ve ever even seen any 7.62x39 ammo that wasn’t made overseas.

Special thanks to obershutze916 for bringing this to my attention.

Don't Shoot Russian Ammo thru your Mini-30.  I have done it however, there were many FTF's (hard ass primer I guess) Additionally, not that the accuracy is great w/ the mini-30, but the Russian stuff was ALL over the paper.  I use federal (AE) or Winchester.  They all go BANG and the accuracy is what you should get out of a mini-30 (not great but acceptable).  Fun gun but My lord does that Barrel get hot, QUICKLY!

Strudle54 and Aimless,

You guys bring up some interesting points.  Strudle54, in what year was your Mini-30 manufactured?  Is it pre-1990?

What's the diameter of the AE and Winchester stuff?

Quoted: Strudle54 and Aimless, You guys bring up some interesting points.  Strudle54, in what year was your Mini-30 manufactured?  Is it pre-1990? What's the diameter of the AE and Winchester stuff?

Got my Mini-30 about 6 years ago, new, so it is POST 1990...Not sure the Diameter of AE or Win., is but they seem to all fine (never had a FTF. 1 in 5 FTF w/Russian ammo) and are fairly accurate.....again, for a Mini-30.

It's like a Baby, M-14...No flames please, I know the M-14 is a MUCH better weapon but the Mini-30 is pretty cool, gives you a nice little snap when fired, unlike the ar-15, no recoil....Just my 2 cents.