M1 carbine or MINI 30?
- Thread starter rr41mag
- Start date
.308 is 7.62mm NATO (7.62mm x 51mm)
The Mini-30 shoots 7.62mm x 39mm, the same round used by the SKS and AK-47.
My preference would be an M-1 carbine: it seems that 15 and 30 round magazines are still plentiful and reasonably priced. It is a small and light weapon.
The .30 carbine round is more suited to home defense (but that's just my opinion).
I have no idea how adequate .30 carbine is for hunting game such as deer -- I think the Mini-30 would be better.
I also don't know whether it's cheaper to shoot .30 or 7.62 M43 ammo.
Hi!
First, Mini-30 is 7.62x39, AK caliber, not 7.62x51(?)/.308, M1A caliber.
That said.. between those two choices, I'd say M1 Carbine, for the mag issue if no other reason. Make it a Mini 14 instead of .30, and you're a little closer to a toss-up as to what's most important to you.
Finally, personally, I don't think an inaccurate rifle is a "challenge" but rather a frustration. A challenge is something that you, through your actions, can meet and and conquer. But if the GUN is so inaccurate Carlos Hathcock himself couldn't hit a baseball at 100 yards with it, then it's no longer a question of skill, just patience with frustration...
.. unless you're approaching this from a gunsmithing standpoint, rather than a shooting standpoint, in which case it's quite right to call it a challenge.
not meaning to criticise or anthing.. hoping to help..
-K
First, Mini-30 is 7.62x39, AK caliber, not 7.62x51(?)/.308, M1A caliber.
That said.. between those two choices, I'd say M1 Carbine, for the mag issue if no other reason. Make it a Mini 14 instead of .30, and you're a little closer to a toss-up as to what's most important to you.
Finally, personally, I don't think an inaccurate rifle is a "challenge" but rather a frustration. A challenge is something that you, through your actions, can meet and and conquer. But if the GUN is so inaccurate Carlos Hathcock himself couldn't hit a baseball at 100 yards with it, then it's no longer a question of skill, just patience with frustration...
.. unless you're approaching this from a gunsmithing standpoint, rather than a shooting standpoint, in which case it's quite right to call it a challenge.
not meaning to criticise or anthing.. hoping to help..
-K
Art Eatman
Staff in Memoriam
The Carbine round is a 110-grain bullet at about 2,200 ft/sec. Commercially, only the full metal jacketed round-nose is available. Lousy for any hunting.
The AK round is a 139-grain bullet at around 2,300 ft/sec. There are soft-point bullets available, which make it a marginal, short-range deer cartridge.
The AK ammo for plinking is available in bulk and is cheaper than the Carbine ammo.
I've only had Mini-14s, not the 30s, but I thoroughly enjoyed them. I also have fun shooting the GI Carbine...
Good luck!
, Art
The AK round is a 139-grain bullet at around 2,300 ft/sec. There are soft-point bullets available, which make it a marginal, short-range deer cartridge.
The AK ammo for plinking is available in bulk and is cheaper than the Carbine ammo.
I've only had Mini-14s, not the 30s, but I thoroughly enjoyed them. I also have fun shooting the GI Carbine...
Good luck!
, ArtMeekAndMild
New member
M1
I had a mini 30 once and it was a big mistake. You see SovBlock and ChiCom ammo is not the same even though it is marked the same. It is actually a little bit oversized, say .311, and according to Ruger is not good for the mini 30. Ruger recommends US commercial ammo only. US 7.62x39 is more along the line of .308 instead of .311.
This is the best I remember it. I got the gun several yearsa ago from a guy who was moving to the PRK and couldn't take it with him. Got rid of it within the month at a loss.
I had a mini 30 once and it was a big mistake. You see SovBlock and ChiCom ammo is not the same even though it is marked the same. It is actually a little bit oversized, say .311, and according to Ruger is not good for the mini 30. Ruger recommends US commercial ammo only. US 7.62x39 is more along the line of .308 instead of .311.
This is the best I remember it. I got the gun several yearsa ago from a guy who was moving to the PRK and couldn't take it with him. Got rid of it within the month at a loss.
This is just my opinion.
I owned an M1 carbine for all of 2 hours. I really liked it, but not enough to keep it. *shrug* that's just me. The market for a used M1 is considerable compared to that of either of the mini's.
Open for a suggestion?
A Ruger 10/22. Kinda the same look and feel, far more challange and cheaper.
I owned an M1 carbine for all of 2 hours. I really liked it, but not enough to keep it. *shrug* that's just me. The market for a used M1 is considerable compared to that of either of the mini's.
Open for a suggestion?
A Ruger 10/22. Kinda the same look and feel, far more challange and cheaper.
Got a Mini-30 back in high school. It's cheap. It's fun to shoot. Not sure what milsurp ammo does in the long run, since it's never had a problem with reliability. It's an apple popper at 100 yds. As for deer, I know a lot of Nam vets who wouldn't want to be hunted with it.
Don't discount it as an inexpensive alternative.
Don't discount it as an inexpensive alternative.
A Mouse Gun or A Russian 308?
The M-1 Carbine is a MOUSE GUN. I'm old enought to have carried one in the military.
A Ruger Mini-30 with a 308 diameter barrel would be excellent if you reload your owne amme. They say you can shoot 311/factory/millitary in it but, I can not confirm it.
The M-1 Carbine is a MOUSE GUN. I'm old enought to have carried one in the military.
A Ruger Mini-30 with a 308 diameter barrel would be excellent if you reload your owne amme. They say you can shoot 311/factory/millitary in it but, I can not confirm it.
P
PreserveFreedom
Guest
Depends on what you are using it for. The Mini 30's 7.62x39mm round is definately a better round, but the M1 Carbine points really easy and is nice and light. Could go either way. The Mini 30 will win as far as armor penetration though.
For out and out fun shooting the M1 Carbine wins hands down. The carbine is perfectly adequate for self defense with soft points. Granted it's not as powerful as the 7.62x39 which is approx equivalent to the 30-30. When I head to the range I alternate with other rifles and pistols but the carbine always goes along.
M1 Carbine for me!
Who was it up this thread that said that FMJ ball ammo was the only commercially avilable ammo for this little shooter...I'm sitting on top of several hundred rounds od 30cal carbine rounds in both HP and SP...The headstamps say "WW" - ever hear of em?
Quite effective for close range. Turn into little wads of lead and copper about 1/2" across when they hit something semisolid.
Who was it up this thread that said that FMJ ball ammo was the only commercially avilable ammo for this little shooter...I'm sitting on top of several hundred rounds od 30cal carbine rounds in both HP and SP...The headstamps say "WW" - ever hear of em?
Quite effective for close range. Turn into little wads of lead and copper about 1/2" across when they hit something semisolid.
Of the choices you listed, I'd easily go with the M1 carbine.
Ok now, if you want the Mini-30 just for the more potent cartridge, maybe you would be better served by looking into other options.
I would suggest checking out FAC (Federal Arms Corp.) and looking at the Genuine Russian Made AKs they have.
They are new, polymer stocks, and beautiful as far as AKs go.
Best of all, they sell for $299 NIB for both the 16" and 20" barrel version.
Good luck.
Ok now, if you want the Mini-30 just for the more potent cartridge, maybe you would be better served by looking into other options.
I would suggest checking out FAC (Federal Arms Corp.) and looking at the Genuine Russian Made AKs they have.
They are new, polymer stocks, and beautiful as far as AKs go.
Best of all, they sell for $299 NIB for both the 16" and 20" barrel version.
Good luck.