Mini 14 Question - The Firearms Forum

lonewolf204 · 02-15-2012, 09:21 PM

Why do people say not to shoot 5.56 ammo in a Mini 14?

mesinge2 · 02-15-2012, 09:35 PM

The issue is that IIRC 5.56 is thicker at the neck and creates significantly more chamber pressure.

I know for a fact that firing a .223 round in a 5.56 weapon has no ill effect. The converse is also true is that firing a 5.56 (repeatedly) will damage the .223 weapon (over time).

As I understand it, and I may be wrong, but there are some Mini-14s that can shoot the 5.56 and some that can't.

The only way I've heard to make sure is to look at the user's manual for your particular rifle.

Mine states that I can use either and I do with no ill effect.

American Leader · 02-15-2012, 10:27 PM

My mini will shoot 5.56 LW, what caliber is marked on your firearm? I think Ruger makes them both ways.

Alpo · 02-15-2012, 10:53 PM

Ruger says that their gun is chambered for both. Page 2, 1st paragraph.
https://ruger-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/...mini14-180.pdf

"It is chambered for .223 (5.56mm) US Military and Commercial cartridges".

Albtraum · 02-16-2012, 01:09 AM

Pretty sure all Mini's are chambered in 5.56 and can shoot 5.56 or .223 fine. Maybe steel cased ammo has issues?

Snakedriver · 02-16-2012, 10:33 AM

All Mini-14's except the "Target" Model are good to go with 5.56mm ammo. See your Owner's Manual on Page 3 under "Ammunition". Ruger could save much confusion if they would change the stamping on the receiver to 5.56/.223.

The Duke · 02-16-2012, 11:57 AM

I got a few thousand 5.56 down the tube of my 180- series Mini 14 with no ill effects what so ever..Most of it mil-surp hardball ammo...Great little gun.

JLA · 02-16-2012, 12:21 PM

Yep. the target models dont have enough throat for a 5.56 cartridge.

lonewolf204 · 02-16-2012, 08:11 PM

Thanks for the info.

Ledslnger · 02-16-2012, 09:31 PM

I just read a cool article in a gun mag about this, although it referenced AR type rifles. An easy analogy is looking at compression and cylinder heads. If you have smaller ports in your heads it raises the compression of the engine. Same thing from my understanding of the article. A .223 barrel has less room therefore (more compression) so when shooting a 5.56 round which has more power you can end up with explosive results with the smaller and more restrictive area. So, the Mini 14 must have a barrel reamed out to accept the power of the 5.56.

JLA · 02-16-2012, 10:50 PM

Sort of ledslinger. 5.56 chambers are throated, whereas the .223 counterparts usually are not. Throated in this context means long leade, or freebore, just like any other military arm. Has to do with the chambering reliability of dirty, beat up, out of spec ammo. And consequently 5.56 nato is loaded hotter to compensate to maintain the NATO spec for muzzle velocity which makes them a bit too hot for a precisely chambered .223.

Snakedriver · 02-17-2012, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ledslnger

I just read a cool article in a gun mag about this, although it referenced AR type rifles. An easy analogy is looking at compression and cylinder heads. If you have smaller ports in your heads it raises the compression of the engine. Same thing from my understanding of the article. A .223 barrel has less room therefore (more compression) so when shooting a 5.56 round which has more power you can end up with explosive results with the smaller and more restrictive area. So, the Mini 14 must have a barrel reamed out to accept the power of the 5.56.

......................and since all the Mini-14's (except the Target Model) have always had a 5.56 chamber installed regardless of the receiver stamping, using 5.56 ammo in it is not a problem. The Ruger Mini-14 Instruction Manual clearly states this fact.

My 183-series Mini has it on Page 3 under "Ammunition" but the more modern ones have it on Page 11 after the addition of all the lawyered up warnings. It says:

"AMMUNITION

The RUGER® MINI-14® RIFLES are chambered for the .223 Remington
(5.56mm) cartridge. The Mini-14 Rifle is designed to use either standardized U.S.
military, or factory loaded sporting .223 (5.56mm) cartridges manufactured in
accordance with U.S. industry practice."

Source:

https://ruger-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/...14-181-186.pdf

02-15-2012, 09:21 PM	#1
lonewolf204 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Oklahoma Contributor Posts: 788	Mini 14 Question Why do people say not to shoot 5.56 ammo in a Mini 14? __________________ Fear is only a word in the mind of the weak! -->

02-15-2012, 09:35 PM	#2
mesinge2 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Central Florida Posts: 538	Re: Mini 14 Question The issue is that IIRC 5.56 is thicker at the neck and creates significantly more chamber pressure. I know for a fact that firing a .223 round in a 5.56 weapon has no ill effect. The converse is also true is that firing a 5.56 (repeatedly) will damage the .223 weapon (over time). As I understand it, and I may be wrong, but there are some Mini-14s that can shoot the 5.56 and some that can't. The only way I've heard to make sure is to look at the user's manual for your particular rifle. Mine states that I can use either and I do with no ill effect. __________________ NRA Certified Instructor "A strong body makes the mind strong. As to the species of exercise. I advise the gun. While this gives moderate exercise to the body, it gives boldness, enterprise, and independence to the mind ... Let your gun therefore be your constant companion of your walks." 1785, Thomas Jefferson. Last edited by mesinge2; 02-15-2012 at 09:36 PM..

02-15-2012, 10:27 PM	#3
American Leader Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Iowa Contributor Posts: 1,630	Re: Mini 14 Question My mini will shoot 5.56 LW, what caliber is marked on your firearm? I think Ruger makes them both ways. Last edited by American Leader; 02-15-2012 at 10:28 PM..

02-15-2012, 10:53 PM	#4
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,651	Re: Mini 14 Question Ruger says that their gun is chambered for both. Page 2, 1st paragraph. https://ruger-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/...mini14-180.pdf "It is chambered for .223 (5.56mm) US Military and Commercial cartridges". __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy, and taste good with catsup - George of Lod, Year of Our Lord 297 I always take precautions. Beware the Evil Bullet Fairies.

02-16-2012, 01:09 AM	#5
Albtraum Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 635	Re: Mini 14 Question Pretty sure all Mini's are chambered in 5.56 and can shoot 5.56 or .223 fine. Maybe steel cased ammo has issues?

02-16-2012, 10:33 AM	#6
Snakedriver Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: SW. Florida Posts: 1,219	Re: Mini 14 Question All Mini-14's except the "Target" Model are good to go with 5.56mm ammo. See your Owner's Manual on Page 3 under "Ammunition". Ruger could save much confusion if they would change the stamping on the receiver to 5.56/.223. __________________ Fear is a reaction..........Courage is a decision

02-16-2012, 11:57 AM	#7
The Duke Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: NW Louisiana Posts: 813	Re: Mini 14 Question I got a few thousand 5.56 down the tube of my 180- series Mini 14 with no ill effects what so ever..Most of it mil-surp hardball ammo...Great little gun. __________________ Ineptocracy (in-ep-toc'-ra-cy) - a system of government where the least capable to lead are elected by the least capable of producing, and where the members of society least likely to sustain themselves or succeed, are rewarded with goods and services paid for by the confiscated wealth of a diminishing number of producers.

02-16-2012, 12:21 PM	#8
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,309	Re: Mini 14 Question Yep. the target models dont have enough throat for a 5.56 cartridge. __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

02-16-2012, 08:11 PM	#9
lonewolf204 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Oklahoma Contributor Posts: 788	Re: Mini 14 Question Thanks for the info. __________________ Fear is only a word in the mind of the weak!

02-16-2012, 09:31 PM	#10
Ledslnger V.I.P. Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: N Central, IA Posts: 415	Re: Mini 14 Question I just read a cool article in a gun mag about this, although it referenced AR type rifles. An easy analogy is looking at compression and cylinder heads. If you have smaller ports in your heads it raises the compression of the engine. Same thing from my understanding of the article. A .223 barrel has less room therefore (more compression) so when shooting a 5.56 round which has more power you can end up with explosive results with the smaller and more restrictive area. So, the Mini 14 must have a barrel reamed out to accept the power of the 5.56.

02-16-2012, 10:50 PM	#11
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,309	Re: Mini 14 Question Sort of ledslinger. 5.56 chambers are throated, whereas the .223 counterparts usually are not. Throated in this context means long leade, or freebore, just like any other military arm. Has to do with the chambering reliability of dirty, beat up, out of spec ammo. And consequently 5.56 nato is loaded hotter to compensate to maintain the NATO spec for muzzle velocity which makes them a bit too hot for a precisely chambered .223. __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!