Seems to be very little interest in these. I am surprised because they are inexpensive and reliable. (It's hard findling an AR upper for less than a complete Mini 6.8) Surely someone will have hi capacity mags for these shortly. The other main complaint seems to be accuracy. I know they are not as accurate as the AR platform. But I'm curious as to what you really need for self defense or even a battle rifle. Anyone here with combat experience give their opinion on what kind of accuracy is acceptable? I've seen a few reports on the Mini's and the new ones look like their in the same ballpark as an M-14 or FAL. Is that not good enough?
Ruger Mini 6.8 Accuracy
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By the way, Troy Industries has a new modular chassis for Mini's. It's very cool. Give me a 6.8 Mini, reliable 20 round ProMags, and the Troy modular chassis, there is a new 6.8 project on my wish list!!9x23w said:
http://store.troyind.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=61
By the way, Troy Industries has a new modular chassis for Mini's. It's very cool. Give me a 6.8 Mini, reliable 20 round ProMags, and the Troy modular chassis, there is a new 6.8 project on my wish list!!ArtFWTx said:
Same Here!! That would be the ultimate mini :twisted:
I am a little surprised as well, given the improvements Ruger has made to the barrels.
Here is an interesting test article from Gun Blast:
http://www.gunblast.com/Ruger-RanchRifle68.htm
When I mentioned the barrels, the huge issue with Mini accuracy was barel related. The old barrels were so thin that barrel whip was a significant factor. While reliable, a 4" plus MOA was not everyone's cup of tea, especially in these days of sub MOA accuracy.
Ruger beefed up the barrels on the 581 models, and the results are shown in the Gun Blast article.
Pro Mag claims to have a high cap mag in the works - but the roll out keeps getting delayed due to production issues. I contacted them last year, and received an email from one of their VP's stating it would be out before Christmas. That assurance followed the original timeline of pre-Thanksgiving. We are now at 2 months past the end of year roll out, and no one at Pro Mag seems to be willing to commit to a new date.
Frankly, most of these companies are so caught up in trying to meet demand for their current inventory, that rolling out a new product that may have a very short useful life (a new AWB) takes a back seat, if it has a seat at all.
I have not tiried it, but there are guys out there using the Ruger 20 round Mini 14 magazines, which they claim will hold 8 rounds of 6.8 SPC.
What is interesting is that the Gun Blast article mentions that Ruger makes 20 and 30 round high cap mags for law enforcement. That makes sense, since one of their target markets for the 6.8 SPC ranch rifle is the law enforcement community. I contacted Ruger asking whether high cap mags were available at all in 6.8 SPC, and received a non answer reply. They directed me to their web site for mags they had available. Which is garbage. It sounds like Ruger is back to its old tricks in adopting the paternal, anti-second amendment policy that civilians do not need more capacity than what Ruger determines they need. I thought they had turned the corner on that issue after the passing of Bill Ruger followed by their decision to release the high cap .223 mags to the public. I was wrong.
With that said, the Ruger 6.8 mini appears to be a decent platform, albeit limited in capacity. Ruger recently increased the MSRP on the Ranch by about $100 for 2009, which to me was not close to being justified. I see more than a few companies doing this to cash in on the current buying frenzy. I also see a few that are trying to hold the line on costs and are not in a profiteering mode. Those companies in the latter category will be the first to get my business in the future.
Here is an interesting test article from Gun Blast:
http://www.gunblast.com/Ruger-RanchRifle68.htm
When I mentioned the barrels, the huge issue with Mini accuracy was barel related. The old barrels were so thin that barrel whip was a significant factor. While reliable, a 4" plus MOA was not everyone's cup of tea, especially in these days of sub MOA accuracy.
Ruger beefed up the barrels on the 581 models, and the results are shown in the Gun Blast article.
Pro Mag claims to have a high cap mag in the works - but the roll out keeps getting delayed due to production issues. I contacted them last year, and received an email from one of their VP's stating it would be out before Christmas. That assurance followed the original timeline of pre-Thanksgiving. We are now at 2 months past the end of year roll out, and no one at Pro Mag seems to be willing to commit to a new date.
Frankly, most of these companies are so caught up in trying to meet demand for their current inventory, that rolling out a new product that may have a very short useful life (a new AWB) takes a back seat, if it has a seat at all.
I have not tiried it, but there are guys out there using the Ruger 20 round Mini 14 magazines, which they claim will hold 8 rounds of 6.8 SPC.
What is interesting is that the Gun Blast article mentions that Ruger makes 20 and 30 round high cap mags for law enforcement. That makes sense, since one of their target markets for the 6.8 SPC ranch rifle is the law enforcement community. I contacted Ruger asking whether high cap mags were available at all in 6.8 SPC, and received a non answer reply. They directed me to their web site for mags they had available. Which is garbage. It sounds like Ruger is back to its old tricks in adopting the paternal, anti-second amendment policy that civilians do not need more capacity than what Ruger determines they need. I thought they had turned the corner on that issue after the passing of Bill Ruger followed by their decision to release the high cap .223 mags to the public. I was wrong.
With that said, the Ruger 6.8 mini appears to be a decent platform, albeit limited in capacity. Ruger recently increased the MSRP on the Ranch by about $100 for 2009, which to me was not close to being justified. I see more than a few companies doing this to cash in on the current buying frenzy. I also see a few that are trying to hold the line on costs and are not in a profiteering mode. Those companies in the latter category will be the first to get my business in the future.
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Nice post MajorJim. I would suspect as you alluded to that Ruger has hicap mags for the 6.8 Mini available for LE/Govt purchasers. I thought Ruger was beyond trying to be our "big brother" as well. Afterall they produced the NRA Mini-14 that come with two 20 round mags. Why can't they just sell 20 round 6.8 magazines, or even 25-30 rounders?
I think with a little advertising like Stag has done for their Model 7 Hunter, that Ruger would sell a number of the Mini 6.8's. Especially if it came with two factory Ruger 20 round magazines.
I think with a little advertising like Stag has done for their Model 7 Hunter, that Ruger would sell a number of the Mini 6.8's. Especially if it came with two factory Ruger 20 round magazines.
Ruger's guys at the SCI Show in Reno told me they do not consider the 6.8spc Mini-14 a tactical or law enforcement rifle. They have no plans to produce any hi-cap magazines for it at this time
My guess on the factory selling off it's 20 round magazine stock is they want to move them while they still can. They had several hundred thousand in stock the last time around and here is Ruger's chance to get them out the door in advance of any potential ban. The cost of holding or destroying them would be very high. Every 20 or 30 round Ruger Mini-14 magazine I have ever seen says "law enforcement only" on the box and/or the magazine itself.
It's all about the money boys, not any benevolence on Ruger's part.
My guess on the factory selling off it's 20 round magazine stock is they want to move them while they still can. They had several hundred thousand in stock the last time around and here is Ruger's chance to get them out the door in advance of any potential ban. The cost of holding or destroying them would be very high. Every 20 or 30 round Ruger Mini-14 magazine I have ever seen says "law enforcement only" on the box and/or the magazine itself.
It's all about the money boys, not any benevolence on Ruger's part.
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The 6.8 Mini would be an ideal LE rifle. I can't believe Ruger didn't consider this as a possible market for their 6.8 Mini.
I knew LE officers who were authorized personal carbines for patrol or what have you several years ago, and they had choices of AR's from a few reliable brands, and Ruger Mini-14's. The Rugers were popular because of their value. I think there was a package deal that came with a Mini-14 and 4 20 round magazines or something similar. Anyway, what highway patrol officer, or deputy sheriff wouldn't consider a 6.8 if given the choice?
I'm a fan of the Mini-14 but keep getting the feeling that Ruger sometimes builds the rifle that could have been......
I knew LE officers who were authorized personal carbines for patrol or what have you several years ago, and they had choices of AR's from a few reliable brands, and Ruger Mini-14's. The Rugers were popular because of their value. I think there was a package deal that came with a Mini-14 and 4 20 round magazines or something similar. Anyway, what highway patrol officer, or deputy sheriff wouldn't consider a 6.8 if given the choice?
I'm a fan of the Mini-14 but keep getting the feeling that Ruger sometimes builds the rifle that could have been......
My dad bought a 6.8 mini.
My fitst comment was nice rifle followed by, if it wont group we are sending it back.
Grouped about 5-6 inches.
1st shot 4" low and 4" left, next shot a tiny bit higher and to the right, but tight, 3rd up and right about 6" inches from the 1st two shots and it did that every time with a cold or semi cold barrel.
We sent it back to ruger and it came back perfect. Shoots 1-1.5" groups.
I would not hesitate to buy one, but if it did not shoot right I would send it back.
My fitst comment was nice rifle followed by, if it wont group we are sending it back.
Grouped about 5-6 inches.
1st shot 4" low and 4" left, next shot a tiny bit higher and to the right, but tight, 3rd up and right about 6" inches from the 1st two shots and it did that every time with a cold or semi cold barrel.
We sent it back to ruger and it came back perfect. Shoots 1-1.5" groups.
I would not hesitate to buy one, but if it did not shoot right I would send it back.
Ruger is terrible at getting the proper spacing for the gas block. If it is not evenly gapped on both sides, the difference can throw your shots off. Ruger cautions people in the Owner's Manual not to fool with the gas block (it is done with the utmost precision by highly skilled craftsmen), but the big concern is setting the proper torque on the screws. A little change to get the spacing even can really effect the grouping.
Does anyone know what dimensions Ruger uses for the chamber? SAAMI or SPCII?
Does anyone know what dimensions Ruger uses for the chamber? SAAMI or SPCII?
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Right on Jim! My 100 yd. groups tightened from 2-2.5" to 1-1.5" after I aligned and re-torqued the gas block.
SAAMI
Sadly Ruger began manufacturing the 6.8 Mini about the same time the SPCII fix was introduced in early '07.I am using the Mini 14 20 round mags in my Mini 6.8 and they function perfectly. I can fit 12 rounds in the mag but it is tight. I have yet to have a feeding problem using them.
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Has anybody shot the SSA Combat/Tactical loads in their 6.8 Mini? If so, did any problems result?SAAMIMajorJim said:
I had a cardinal 11 twist spc II ar15 barrel, loaded it pretty hot with 110 gr TSX.
Ran a few through my dads ruger and had no problems.
The ruger had slightly less swipes but its hard to tell because both were showing pressure signs. That was a 110 gr ttsx over 29.5 gr of 10X.
I backed off that load to 29 gr.
I think the SSA 85 grain TSX loads would be fine, but I would not run the combat loads through a mini.
It might better with hot loads if you throated a mini or had the cahmber reamed to spc II. Its still a 10 twist though.
Ran a few through my dads ruger and had no problems.
The ruger had slightly less swipes but its hard to tell because both were showing pressure signs. That was a 110 gr ttsx over 29.5 gr of 10X.
I backed off that load to 29 gr.
I think the SSA 85 grain TSX loads would be fine, but I would not run the combat loads through a mini.
It might better with hot loads if you throated a mini or had the cahmber reamed to spc II. Its still a 10 twist though.
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