Mini 30 or AK-47?

G

gmarr

New member
I'm looking at getting one of these for general shooting and an occasional hog hunt. I've shot a Mini 14 but not a Mini 30, and have shot the AK. I don't want to get into the AK vs. Mini vs. AR arguement, I'm trying to get some experience with each to compare. Any help will be appreciated.
 
Of the three, the AK is probably the most rugged, most reliable, and least "MOA" accurate. Not sure if that helps, but at least it's free.
 
Depends on your preferences really. A Ruger mini-30 is more modern and if it ever needs work or a gunsmiths touch all you have to do is ship it back to Ruger. The AK I wouldn’t say is always more durable but generally it is if you are in a dirty third world country civil war. Since you stated that you will be using this gun for normal hunting and shooting purposes and will probably be cleaning it regularly I think both guns are matched evenly in the durability aspect. I suggest you buy both and call it good :D. If you only can choose one I would recommend the Ruger as a better hunting rifle.
 
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I would go with the ruger. The only reason is there can't be a rifle any less accurate then the ak. (from my experience) I love my Ak, but it isn't a hunting rifle. (except for chipmunks :D) I would say Ruger
 
The only reason is there can't be a rifle any less accurate then the ak
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That's kind of a myth, a decent AK is probably more accurate than most shooters are. A Mini-30 will not necessarily outclass an AK in terms of accuracy, in fact some 7.62x39 AK variants (like the VEPR) will very likely outclass the Mini-30 in the accuracy department, and likely in most any other department as well.

Since the OP mentioned "general shooting" in addition to hunting, I assume he means something like plinking, which would made the AK the obvious choice. Ruger Mini-30's are often reported to have reliability issues with steel-cased ammo, which tends to be the by far most common and affordable type of 7.62x39 ammo available. AK's eat that stuff like candy.

If I were looking for another 7.62x39 rifle, the Mini-30 would probably be either last or second to last on my list (behind most AK-variants, the Vz.58, or an SKS).
 
Personally, I'm not sure I'd go with either one. The SKS would be my choice in the 7.62x39 caliber. And you can buy two SKS's for the cost of one Mini-30. The Mini-30 is a very, VERY fussy eater, whereas your SKS will eat whatever you feed it. SOME of the less expensive Russian ammo will work in the Mini-30, but not all of it. The hammer spring is too weak AND the pin doesn't protrude far enough to shoot some of the Russian berdan primed ammo. What's more, Ruger really doesn't give a crap about trying to remedy the problem. Don't get me wrong, I'm a big Ruger fan. But I'm NOT a fan of the Mini-30.
 
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I would get the Mini 30, its easy to mount a scope on if you want, and you will be using soft points for hunting. Should make a good Hog gun.
 
That's kind of a myth, a decent AK is probably more accurate than most shooters are. A Mini-30 will not necessarily outclass an AK in terms of accuracy, in fact some 7.62x39 AK variants (like the VEPR) will very likely outclass the Mini-30 in the accuracy department, and likely in most any other department as well.

Since the OP mentioned "general shooting" in addition to hunting, I assume he means something like plinking, which would made the AK the obvious choice. Ruger Mini-30's are often reported to have reliability issues with steel-cased ammo, which tends to be the by far most common and affordable type of 7.62x39 ammo available. AK's eat that stuff like candy.

If I were looking for another 7.62x39 rifle, the Mini-30 would probably be either last or second to last on my list (behind most AK-variants, the Vz.58, or an SKS).
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This +1
 
i'd say get a quality AK, for the reasons mentioned above


other than that, it really comes down to your personal preference in action. i have an ar and an m1, and what i didn't realize before i got the ar (which ive come to love anyway) was how much i really enjoyed the action of the m1 garand.

so i could see that swaying me towards a mini over an AK.

then again, my roommate has an AK and its quite fun to shoot, though im not too accurate with it
 
For hunting--a new Mini 30. Ruger has tightened up the tolerances on both the 14 and 30 in the last few years and accuracy has improved (of course, price has gone up as well...:rolleyes:).

I'm an out-in-the-open AK lover but unless you're considering a SGL or comparable high end AK, a new Mini will probably win in the accuracy department.
 
I just cant see paying $400-$600 for stamped metal AK. The AK costs probably $100 to make and we are getting bent over backwards. It has been battle proven so I dont doubt its reliability. For my money I would have more pride of ownership in a Mini-30.
 
I would have to suggest a good SKS. The Mini-30 is too ammo sensitive and most AKs are just not accurate enough for hunting.
Then again, have you considered a good ole 30-30. Much more punch than a 7.62 for hogs. Just a thought.
 
ive shot the Aks and SKS', they do fine if that is your style.

I prefer the ruger, I picked up a mini 30 tactical, it has the shorter heavier barrel, pretty accurate gun, Ive had no complaints, for hunting and plinking it does very well.

As far as picky ammo..ive never shot wolf out of it, never will I just dont like that ammo much, I have shot lots of silver and golden bear out of it, as well as privi partizan and some american made stuff more suitable for deer hunting.

I have never had a jam, just make sure you get the factory mags, Ive not found a after market one that was as good.

Good luck
 
I'll agree with Arch and Mosinka. If you want a 7.62X39, and are using it to hunt hogs, you can get a good SKS cheaper than either the Ruger or AK. A ten round internal magazine is plenty of rounds, and the SKS will take brass or steel case ammo w.o. problems. They are at least as robust as an AK.
 
I am on board with the AK (you did not ask for other options and I will respect that).

I love the AK I have, its a Chinese thumbhole. Awkward sucker, but its shooting a piece of history.

Should be accurate engouh for what you have in mind.

As a help, here is a link to the TWS cover to allow a good optic.

http://texasweaponsystems.com/id1.html

I would go with an Eotech for hunting hogs (I would think you want fast acquisition).
 
That's kind of a myth, a decent AK is probably more accurate than most shooters are.
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Damned with faint praise.

Absent a bench, bipod, or other rest,and given a 1MOA rifle, most shooters can't hold to a pie plate at 100 yards with iron sights, or 200 with glass.......
 
here is a list of guns in 7.62 x 39 i'd rather use for hunting,plinking AND going into harms way if i had to,dragging myself through muck with no support coming my way BEFORE i'd choose the ruger mini 30,..and i am referring to the new improved mini 30.

1) any AK including a "certified"(by me) WASR.
2) vz58
3) any SKS type
4) PTR32 with my choice of selected mags.
5) AR with my choice of selected ammo.

note that the SIG556R is not on the list.

it's amazing that to this day the AK is still so poorly understood. all the new improved mini ruger does is to pretty much match the type of accuracy you'll get from a properly made,regular stamped AK. the older minis used to "string" once the barrel heated up.

..never mind about the true intentions of what any of these were made for but the mini 30 wouldn't be my choice(if forced to choose from this list) if i were stuck somewhere in the middle of nowhere and had to fight my way home(or facing down an angry male feral hog about to slice me up).

by the way,americans(and other people around the world) have been using AKs of one sort or another for hunting for a long time now.

...and which barrel do you think will get to and even surpass 100K rounds shot before it's not shootable any more,the military chrome lined AK barrel found on many(but not all),or the one in the mini? this may not matter much though.

having said all that,i've shot the mini 30 and the mini 14 even more,they're ok. if you like it,go for it and have fun.
 
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