One for the gun guys

[Kenneth Brown]

Ok guys, I'm gonna be getting a new gun soon. I'm selling off my race car and the "boss" said I can get a new gun so.....<br /><br />I want a gun that I can use on duty. We never have a need for it, but it sure would be nice to have if needed. I am gonna have a about a $500 limit so that will restrict it a little bit but not by too much. I have narowed it down to two choices- A Ruger Mini-14 .223 or a HK91-G3 clone in .308. The mini14 sounds real nice because I can blast ammo at will due to it being so cheap. It can look like a deer rifle one moment and about 15 minutes latter look like an all out assualt rifle. The HK91 clone can provide more thump per shot with the 308 at just a little bit more money. It definetly has a built in pucker factor IF it was pointed in your direction.<br /><br />I like both guns. I can only get one. I will use it for just about everything from hunting to duty work. I could care less about it being a queen, just want a reliable gun. I give its uses earlier but its main purpose will be to kill beer cans and collect dust in my gun cabinet.<br />Anybody have experiance with these guns? Even if you don't which decision would you make?

 

[lund17]

Re: One for the gun guys

I'm not familiar with the guns but I am a fan of the .308 Winchester. I shoot that caliber for deer. In NY you can't use smaller than .25. It's a nice flat round at 165 grains with plenty of down range energy for deer sized critters. I've made one shot kills on whitetail at 200-250yds which is the limit of my comfort zone. I understand it is also available as a saboted round for high velocity varmint control although I never tried it. downside is cost as I found MY rifle prefers Winchester Supreme Ballistic Tip at about $20/box in my neck. Not for plinkin' on my budget

 

[Jack Shellac]

Re: One for the gun guys

I've owned two SS Mini-14"s for over ten years. Works every time, never jams and fairly cheap to shoot. A little small for deer, but good for small game though. My sons like to shoot them and the high velocity rounds make a very satisfying noise when they come out of the barrel. Very accurate too. I don't know anything about the other one.

 

[Link]

Re: One for the gun guys

Wow I wish you comparing Apples with Apples. Two different purpose weapons. I've shot both calibers a lot. <br />Spent a hour doing searches on both guns as I've never owned those models. <br />Both have big followings and lots of accessories. For just general plinking at beer cans and small game(not deer and above) the 223 would be a lot of fun. Plus your shoulder and pocket book would like you better Very accurate at short distance also (in the right hands) not mine.<br />At the range (In the gun club I belong to) I've watched match shooters with 223's put 5 rounds down range at 200 yards with only one hole in the target! <br /><br />On the other hand with proper bullets and powder charges the 308 can be used for plinking and large game. I have a friend who is a retired military Sniper who can put a 5 shot group the size of a apple at 800 yards with his 308! He wasn't impressed but I was. (it was his first time shooting his brand new rifle) <br /><br />Choices are good but can drive ya nuts for awhile. But from your post it looks like the 223 would serve you well.<br /><br />Had to edit this because I forgot to add that on that same day with my friends 308 after he zero'd it in the bulls eye he let me try 5 rounds at 800 yards. The paper target is about 2 1/2 feet square and of the five shots I hit the outside corner of the paper once Ugggg heaven only knows where the other 4 bullets went!

 

[ChrisMcLaughlin]

Re: One for the gun guys

You said that you were going to use this rifle for "duty". What type of duty do you mean. Duty to me means a possible life/death situation and is more important than cost per round or comfort.

 

[gaugeguy]

Re: One for the gun guys

Why not the Ruger Mini-30 in 7.62X39, pretty much the same price as the Mini-14 (maybe even less expensive). Packs more of a whallop on the deer sized game, and if needed for "duty" a 7.62 makes a fine hole in a body.

 

[tylerin]

Re: One for the gun guys

I agree with gaugeguy, I've got guns with 223 and 762x39, and frequently shoot a gun with a 308. I prefer the 308 myself, but a good all around gun would be the mini-30

 

[ezbtr]

Re: One for the gun guys

Originally posted by Kenneth Brown:<br />Ok guys, I'm gonna be getting a new gun soon. I'm selling off my race car and the "boss" said I can get a new gun so.....<br /><br />I want a gun that I can use on duty. We never have a need for it, but it sure would be nice to have if needed. I am gonna have a about a $500 limit so that will restrict it a little bit but not by too much. I have narowed it down to two choices- A Ruger Mini-14 .223 or a HK91-G3 clone in .308. The mini14 sounds real nice because I can blast ammo at will due to it being so cheap. It can look like a deer rifle one moment and about 15 minutes latter look like an all out assualt rifle. The HK91 clone can provide more thump per shot with the 308 at just a little bit more money. It definetly has a built in pucker factor IF it was pointed in your direction.<br /><br />I like both guns. I can only get one. I will use it for just about everything from hunting to duty work. I could care less about it being a queen, just want a reliable gun. I give its uses earlier but its main purpose will be to kill beer cans and collect dust in my gun cabinet.<br />Anybody have experiance with these guns? Even if you don't which decision would you make?

the mini 14 great reliable rifle and .223 good enough for what your'e doin, I have .308 and get ammo fairly cheap, (Nato milsurp)308 is gonna kick LOTS more though but great hunting round. In your case perhaps get the Mini 14.

 

[ED21]

Re: One for the gun guys

.308 seems like a bit of overkill on beer cans. A mini 14 would be better suited. Ammo can be fairly cheap, but the more expensive stuff usually shoots better. Put a decent scope on it & it will hold its own against any can. The trigger isn't all that great, but you'll get the hang of it or have it worked on.

 

[Kenneth Brown]

Re: One for the gun guys

Thanks gang. As far as using a 223 for deer hunting in my area the deer are kinda small, although I do like a bigger caliber. I usually use a 243 or 30-30. The mini 14 has always caught my eye as a great all around fun gun. Its so versitale. The HK91 is something I have been having them dreams about lately. It just has the look of bad son of a gun (no pun inteded, trying to keep the laungauge family freindly). The 308 is good all around also, although as said its a little bit much for beer cans. I like to shoot, and shoot alot. I don't ever go to the range except for yearly quailifications. I do however do lots of one-off target typr shooting. You know the kind- See that limb sticking out at 100 yards, lets see if I can get it. Thanks for the replies, maybe the Mini 14 will be coming home soon. <br /><br />By the way trouble shooter, duty means police work. I work for a small 7 man agency serving a town of about 3500 people.

 

[SinisterAngel]

Re: One for the gun guys

If you are willing to spend a few extra bucks, I'd go for the Savage 10FP (which is what my friend has)in 308. I love that gun. Has some umph to it that lets you know whatever you are aiming at is going down, deer or otherwise. You can see the specs and such at http://www.savagearms.com/10fp.htm <br />It's cheap compared to my other friend's SSG 3000

 

[SinisterAngel]

Re: One for the gun guys

Another thing that I remembered that my friend does is he polices his brass knowing that in the near future he is going to be doing his own loads. You just can't beat brass that is fire formed to your gun .<br /><br />Damn, now I need money so I can upgrade from my little .22

 

[Kenneth Brown]

Re: One for the gun guys

Thanks Jason. I am leaning a bit more towards assualt/entry type of guns. My agency has a select fire AR15, super nice 308 bolt action that can shoot from one side of the town to the other, a suppressed 22 for varmits, and several different shotguns besides the ones we carry in the cars.

 

[TPD211]

Re: One for the gun guys

Ken,<br /><br />I'm a range master on my department here in Florida.<br />Go with a AR-15 in .223 for your duty/hunting use.<br />There are more accessories available for the AR-15 varients than you can shake a stick at.<br />Ammo is plentiful and you will stay in the same caliber that the department uses. A bonus on the street.<br />Have you checked into the DRMO program in your area, it's also called the 1033 program. Military surplus equipment for the department at very low cost. Also automatic weapons, ie, M-16's or M-14's. You can get 20% of your department size, so you guys can get 2 M-16's for the department, 100 bucks each. I also obtained 10 military red dot sites, 6 that actually worked, for our AR-15's/M-16's for 10 bucks each. <br />We bought the forward mounts for the sites. <br />Military mags are a dime a dozen, we like the ones made in England, they are made of a heavier stamped metal that is holding up well. <br />Plenty of guys use the .223 to hunt with, there are many different loads available, depending on what your hunting.<br />Remember, you can purchase a weapon at officer price on department letterhead signed by your Chief. Colt and others have special pricing on this. We currently pay 600 and some change for our Colt Shorty AR-15's. Check into DPMS or any of the other AR-15 clones out there, many are well made and you can get one in the 500-600 dollar range. <br />Good luck, send me e-mail at tpd211@comcast.net if you need more info.

 

[aspeck]

Re: One for the gun guys

KB, I am a small caliber man, myself. I love to use the lighter ammo on anything - a well placed shot is the most important aspect of bringing doown your target. With that said, I hunted with a .223 for the first time this year. I will use it for turkey and other smaller game, but not for deer. I will stick with the .220 Swift, my 6mm, .243, etc. for the brown fury creatures (I also will use, when the mood stricks, a 7mm-08, 270, 35 Rem). Took one deer with a head shot - it ran for 100 yards! Never had that happen before. Gave the rifle to a 14 year old to use when aiming instead of the 7mm Mag he was handed. He hit that deer in heart/lung area and we tracked it for a mile. It took 2 head shots to finish it off!<br /><br />So, if you are going after deer, and that is your only gun, go with something a little bigger - not much, but a little.

 

[SinisterAngel]

Re: One for the gun guys

I like using my Grandpa's .35 Remington for whitetail.

 

[aspeck]

Re: One for the gun guys

Jason, a Model 141 Remington GameMaster? Sweet guns.<br /><br />TPD211 Can you get me any of those deals?

 

[Homerr]

Re: One for the gun guys

I have a Mini-14 stainless as well, and it's one of the best guns I've ever owned.<br /><br />I reload for it as well, so shooting it is very cheap. I bought a bucket of once-fire brass from Midway-Arms, and some of their brand of FMJ bullets. You can shoot all day for next to nothing.<br /><br />There are a lot of aftermarket goodies for it if you want to dress it up and make it look like one of those really scary "assault" weapons the lefties don't want you to have!<br /><br />A couple of friends of mine have those .308 you are talking about. I've shot those too, and they are quite fun. They definitely makes holes!<br /><br />Compare your costs to shoot and maintain. You can't beat the mini-14 for reliability and in-expense to use. <br />The .308 can be deadly accurate, but at a little more cost.<br /><br />H.

 

[SinisterAngel]

Re: One for the gun guys

Originally posted by aspeck:<br />Jason, a Model 141 Remington GameMaster? Sweet guns.<br /><br />TPD211 Can you get me any of those deals?

Not quite. This thing is what my grandpa used when he was a kid!