Mini-14 ammo

[Shamus2022]

81 and just picked up my first Mini-14 in .223. I'm a Springfield/Garand man but age and weakness/arthuritis are creeping up on me. For decades I have head peripherally about not being able to shoot USGI .556mm in the Ruger. Didn't make sense to me there it is. This gun is a 1995 Ranch Mini and the owners manual clearly says "...use either standardized US military, or factory loaded sporting .223....". I am not a huge fan of .223 for military use BUT... I'm going to give it the benefit of the doubt. BUT WHAT is the deal on which ammo is safe to use!!?? Fur shur I'll never have a tupperware version of this or any other.

Anyone got any 10 or 20 rd mags they want to sell ? I received a 5 and a 30 with the gun.

 

[hittman]

I always follow the owners manual.
Also, does the barrel say 223 or multi-caliber?
Common topic I think has been discussed here before if you search threads.

 

[hittman]

223 vs 556

Can someone explain the differences of these two calibers and which one should I use in my mini-14 for defense.

www.rugerforum.com

 

[RC44Mag]

223 vs 556: What's the Difference?

When it comes to 223 vs 556, the question isn't which is better but are they identical? Here's a full breakdown.

www.fieldandstream.com

 

[WAYNO]

There remains so much misinformation between the .223 and 5.56.

The pressures are close enough to the same to be a non-issue.

The differences are, a 5.56 chamber has a longer freebore, to allow heavier bullets with an ogive farther forward. A .223 chamber has a shorter freebore. A heavier bullet may cause the longer ogive to contact the rifling before the cartridge is completely chambered. This could cause stiff chambering to not chambering at all. It could push the bullet into the case a tad bit, and could cause an over pressure. It may be an issue with some guns and not others. My experience... a 52 gr 5.56 load will chamber in many .223 chambers, where a 62 grain or heavier, or even differences between bullet designs and bullet seating depth, may not.



Is There a Difference Between .223 and 5.56? | The Arms Guide

 

[Shamus2022]

Got it, thanks.....

 

[TINCANBANDIT is back]

AFAIK the Mini-14 will shoot either round without issues. I use both in my Mini-14 Ranch Rifle including my own reloads (loaded to 5.56 spec with small base dies).

 

[DGW1949]

Note that the caliber marking on most all of the Mini-14 receivers which have been manufactured over the past (almost) 50 years read "cal .223". It does not read "Cal .223 Remington.".....In other words, the Ruger Mini-14 is in fact a .223 caliber weapon. In addition to that, you may also note that the chamber is configured in a manner that allows it to safely utilize either .223 caliber sporting ammo or 5.56 x 45 military ammo, just like the Ruger Manual states....So, if ya don't want to take what the manual say's at face value, and if your mind just can't get past the "Cal .223" marking on the receiver, give Ruger Customer Service a call. They'll be glad to help you understand......Now, having said that, there's also this; Ruger did for a while (and maybe still does) offer a specially modified "Target Model" Mini-14 which was designed to be used with caliber .223-Remington ammo only. That particular model should not be fed any type of .556x45 ammo, dot-period. Ruger is very specific about that.....Hope this helps clear the matter up.

DGW

 

[kmoore]

Going with what the poster printed that the manual said. "Standardized US military or factory loaded sporting .223."
Ok what the heck does that mean? US military is 5.56mm stamped not .223. No wonder people get confused.
I understand the differences between the 2. Wayno got it right, except the 52 gr should say 55 gr bullet.
When I owned several mini 14s, I only fired handed loaded 5.56 brass with 55 gr. bullets. But when the 62gr. USGI came out, I always wondered would they be ok or not.
I moved on and only have 5.56 chambered guns. But have been asked a few times about firing 5.56 in rifles listed as .223. My answer is follow the manual or as mentioned don't ask me call the guys who build the gun.

 

[Laserbait]

2. Wayno got it right, except the 52 gr should say 55 gr bullet.

There is a 52 grain 5.56x45 NATO load, it's called M995. It's a black tip AP round. It was probably from the days when the M16's had a 1-12" twist barrel (just a guess, I could be wrong).

 

[kmoore]

There is a 52 grain 5.56x45 NATO load, it's called M995. It's a black tip AP round. It was probably from the days when the M16's had a 1-12" twist barrel (just a guess, I could be wrong).

Ok, I did not think of that bullet. Sorry Wayno. I was thinking of the standard 55gr FMJ.

 

[Laserbait]

Ok, I did not think of that bullet. Sorry Wayno. I was thinking of the standard 55gr FMJ.

Yeah, trying to keep up on all the different military loads is darn near impossible. I only remember it because I read about it by chance the other day.

 

[WAYNO]

I am very trained in Army ordnance. I lump 52 gr and 55 gr together as nominal 5.56 bullet weights.

 

[beentheredone]

Your Mini 14 is -- as the model has always been -- safe to fire with 5.56 or .223.