Mini-14 and 5.56

02-28-2009, 10:21 PM

just bought a Mini-14 ranch 223. Can I shoot M855 ammo, or do I have to stick to Remington 223 (M193 55 grain)?

captsquirrel · 03-01-2009, 08:52 PM

Shoot what's stamped on the barrel and nothing else.

doorgunner · 03-03-2009, 09:38 PM

Read your owners manual. Ruger clearly states that their Mini-14 is chambered for 5.56 NATO, so you are good to go.

SightNSqueeze · 03-03-2009, 09:45 PM

I've been shooting M193 55 grain 5.56x45 made in Singapore to NATO specifications with no problem. I ...heard... you could shoot 62 grain M855 but it won't be as accurate. I was told also to stay away from steel case ammo and stick to brass, but I also know people who shoot cases made of steel and brass. Does anybody else have any insight?

blaster · 03-04-2009, 08:47 AM

before I heard there was a difference in .223 & 5.56, I shot both out of my mini s. since after thousands of rounds of each out of them over the years, with no ill effects I still do it. the point of aim is different but that is about the only difference I have seen

texnmidwest · 03-04-2009, 08:49 AM

Have fun with that Mini! They are a hoot to shoot!

wunhunglo · 03-04-2009, 09:01 AM

If the Ruger manual says 5.56 is OK then go for it, to tell the truth, I haven't seen one stamped .223, all the ones marketed in the UK are stamped 5.56.. I'm pretty sure that M855 ammo will be just as good if not better than the XM193, depending on the barrel twist rate. My buddy does OK at 300m with the 62gn nato RG in his Mini 14.

Go Navy · 03-04-2009, 05:55 PM

Yesterday I picked up my brand new Ranch Rifle Mini-14. The owner's manual which came in the box with it says:

"The Mini-14 Ranch Rifle is designed to use either standardized U.S. military, or factory loaded sporting .223 (5.56mm) cartridges manufactured with U.S. industry practice."

To me, that statement is pretty clear. It means to me that we can shoot either military 5.56mm or civilian .223 in the Mini-14. This is definitely not true of ALL makes and models of rifles chambered for .223.

NOTE: on the front cover of the manual, it says that the manual "Applies to Ranch Rifles Serial No.'s 580-00001 and above"

In other words, if your serial number is below the above number (older), do not be guided by the above statement about ammo. Be guided by whatever your manual says.

jrswanson1 · 03-05-2009, 12:34 PM

All Mini-14's stamped .223 Remington shoot 5.56 and .223. Unless they've been modified. Then you're on your own.

Jim

jclem · 03-05-2009, 05:35 PM

Sweet, thanks

Rex in OTZ · 03-05-2009, 05:53 PM

Recent Rifle Mag article about the .223 they wrote about the Mini-14 as well, stated Ruger Mini-14 have a "military chamber" suppose that means for the 5.56? the also go on about the 3 different rifleing twist rates Ruger produced since the Mini's introduction.

captsquirrel · 03-05-2009, 06:49 PM

See page 11.
http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firear...Manuals/55.pdf

It does state military cartridges so I would say .223 or 5.56 is O.K.

DFBonnett · 03-06-2009, 06:38 PM

Ruger says no problem. I have a 185 series stainless and have used all flavors of .223 along with M855, M193, Barnaul, Wolfe, many varieties of milsurp. No problems.
FWIW
YMMV

knightRider · 03-07-2009, 11:14 AM

its fine.

Nam62 · 03-15-2009, 12:52 AM

My Mini-14 is a has a prefix 181 (1977) and the manual says .223 (5.56). Shoot the optimum bullet for your gun.

air36 · 03-25-2009, 11:01 PM

the only mini that will not safely shoot 5.56 nato is the target model it is .223 only also do not shoot 75 grain loads from the target model as the longer bullet resembles the lead on the 5.56. hope this helps

02-28-2009, 10:21 PM	#1
Unregistered Guest Posts: n/a	Mini-14 and 5.56 just bought a Mini-14 ranch 223. Can I shoot M855 ammo, or do I have to stick to Remington 223 (M193 55 grain)?

03-01-2009, 08:52 PM	#2
captsquirrel Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Las Vegas, NV. Posts: 1,569	Shoot what's stamped on the barrel and nothing else. __________________ "I have learned to use the word 'impossible' with the greatest caution." Werner Von Braun

03-04-2009, 08:47 AM	#5
blaster Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: big pine key, florida Posts: 1,294	before I heard there was a difference in .223 & 5.56, I shot both out of my mini s. since after thousands of rounds of each out of them over the years, with no ill effects I still do it. the point of aim is different but that is about the only difference I have seen __________________ peace through superior firepower

03-04-2009, 08:49 AM	#6
texnmidwest Some People's kids.... Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: South east Wisconsin Posts: 6,978	Have fun with that Mini! They are a hoot to shoot! __________________ never pass up a bathroom, never waste a ** , and never trust a fart.

03-04-2009, 05:55 PM	#8
Go Navy Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Northern Taxifornia Posts: 117	Yesterday I picked up my brand new Ranch Rifle Mini-14. The owner's manual which came in the box with it says: "The Mini-14 Ranch Rifle is designed to use either standardized U.S. military, or factory loaded sporting .223 (5.56mm) cartridges manufactured with U.S. industry practice." To me, that statement is pretty clear. It means to me that we can shoot either military 5.56mm or civilian .223 in the Mini-14. This is definitely not true of ALL makes and models of rifles chambered for .223. NOTE: on the front cover of the manual, it says that the manual "Applies to Ranch Rifles Serial No.'s 580-00001 and above" In other words, if your serial number is below the above number (older), do not be guided by the above statement about ammo. Be guided by whatever your manual says. __________________ GOA/NRA Life Member USN Veteran

03-03-2009, 09:38 PM	#3
doorgunner Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 5	Read your owners manual. Ruger clearly states that their Mini-14 is chambered for 5.56 NATO, so you are good to go.

03-03-2009, 09:45 PM	#4
SightNSqueeze Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Intercoastal Sea Islands, SC, USA Posts: 2,725	I've been shooting M193 55 grain 5.56x45 made in Singapore to NATO specifications with no problem. I ...heard... you could shoot 62 grain M855 but it won't be as accurate. I was told also to stay away from steel case ammo and stick to brass, but I also know people who shoot cases made of steel and brass. Does anybody else have any insight?

03-04-2009, 09:01 AM	#7
wunhunglo Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: currently "Sunny West Africa" Posts: 4,102	If the Ruger manual says 5.56 is OK then go for it, to tell the truth, I haven't seen one stamped .223, all the ones marketed in the UK are stamped 5.56.. I'm pretty sure that M855 ammo will be just as good if not better than the XM193, depending on the barrel twist rate. My buddy does OK at 300m with the 62gn nato RG in his Mini 14.

03-05-2009, 12:34 PM	#9
jrswanson1 Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 1,093	All Mini-14's stamped .223 Remington shoot 5.56 and .223. Unless they've been modified. Then you're on your own. Jim

03-05-2009, 05:35 PM	#10
jclem Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: North Little Rock, Arkansas Posts: 12	Sweet, thanks

03-05-2009, 05:53 PM	#11
Rex in OTZ Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: NorthWest Alaska Posts: 975	Recent Rifle Mag article about the .223 they wrote about the Mini-14 as well, stated Ruger Mini-14 have a "military chamber" suppose that means for the 5.56? the also go on about the 3 different rifleing twist rates Ruger produced since the Mini's introduction. Last edited by Rex in OTZ; 03-05-2009 at 05:58 PM.

03-05-2009, 06:49 PM	#12
captsquirrel Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Las Vegas, NV. Posts: 1,569	See page 11. http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firear...Manuals/55.pdf It does state military cartridges so I would say .223 or 5.56 is O.K. __________________ "I have learned to use the word 'impossible' with the greatest caution." Werner Von Braun

03-06-2009, 06:38 PM	#13
DFBonnett Member Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 28	Ruger says no problem. I have a 185 series stainless and have used all flavors of .223 along with M855, M193, Barnaul, Wolfe, many varieties of milsurp. No problems. FWIW YMMV

03-07-2009, 11:14 AM	#14
knightRider Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: you know where Posts: 3,777 Images: 19 Blog Entries: 17	its fine. __________________ God doesn't give rights. Men have to fight for them.

03-15-2009, 12:52 AM	#15
Nam62 Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 31	My Mini-14 is a has a prefix 181 (1977) and the manual says .223 (5.56). Shoot the optimum bullet for your gun.

03-25-2009, 11:01 PM	#16
air36 Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 7	the only mini that will not safely shoot 5.56 nato is the target model it is .223 only also do not shoot 75 grain loads from the target model as the longer bullet resembles the lead on the 5.56. hope this helps