5.56 military ammo in Mini-14

[xs11jack]

I have read several times that one should not shoot military 5.56 ammo in the Ruger Mini-14. But, no one has said why. So, who can enlighten me as I was just given about 400 rounds of 5.56 loaded ammo.
Jack

[nhrifle]

Long story short, the .223 chamber has a shorter leade than the 5.56, which means pressure builds faster after primer detonation than .223 chamber. Also, chamber pressure standards of the two rounds are measured differently, and 5.56 is significantly higher than .223.

If the rifle is marked as .223 Remington, do not fire 5.56 Nato spec ammunition. If it is marked 5.56, you are safe to fire either.

Check out fultonarmory.com. There is an excellent article that explains this in better detail.

[xs11jack]

nhrifle, I just tried Fulton Armory and found that the phone line are down due to the demands of customer orders. I will try again when the madness abates. In the mean time, your expaination has given me all the information I really need to make a decision on what to do about the ammo. I will pull the bullets, dump the powder and reload with a known charge and reseat the bullets. Thanks again for the information.
Jack

[nhrifle]

Before you demil that ammo, there is lots of trading going on here. Just post what you have in Swapin & Sellin and say what you are looking for.

Either swap or reload it, you will be safe.

[higgins]

Go to the source and check with Ruger. Look at the FAQ on their website. They may have an online owners manual.

[uscra112]

Don't go pulling that ammo down until you read what's on your rifle. If the rifle is marked for 5.56x45, there's no point in fiddling with it. You'll only make it worse than it is. If you do have a real old Mini that is marked for .223, there's a zillion takers for milsurp ammo, and a trade would be easy to accomplish. I wouldn't sell it outright - there's no .223 to be had right now either, not for love nor money. I just watched somebody buy 250 M855 bullets (not loaded ammo, just bullets) for $82.00 plus shipping on GB.

As luck would have it, I made a trip to Pat's Reloading the week before all this blew up. :-D

[Larry Gibson]

Long story short I started shooting US M193 in Mini 14s in the mid 70s and Ruger said then it was just fine to do so. Started shooting M852 in the same Mini 14s when it became available in the 80's.....Ruger said that was ok then too.

Too much internet BS and ignorant sales person BS on the subject. I know what Id be doing if it was my Mini14 and ammo.........BUT........If you have a new Mini 14 or an old one.....don't take my word or anyones but Rugers if you have any doubts.

Larry Gibson

[GBertolet]

A friend of mine purchased a new Mini 14 last year. He contacted Ruger about using 5.56 in it, and they said yes it was ok.

[jmsj]

I have fired hundreds of 5.56 in my old mini-14. Even though the chamber probably fits the 5.56 better than the .223 Remington, I have always gotten better accuracy from the .223 factory loads. But in handloads I get better accuracy using LC brass- go figure.
Good luck, jmsj

[Got-R-Did]

Larry, that would have been the M855, Soldier! Just yanking your chain, Brother; the M852 is the 168 gr SMK Match load for the original M14. I know a brain fart when I see one (God knows I have had more than my fair share!). With the 1/12" twist of the earliest Mini14s I had lots of problems working up loads with heavier than 60 gr bullets, however, with a later 1/9" twist rifle the results with a Sierra Game King 65 gr SPBT performed admirably and would likely have digested the M855 ammo as well (although I am unsure of the throating).
I say just hang on to it for trading at a later date, and simply double check the chambering markings on the rifle itself.
Cheers,
Got-R-Did.

[Gunnut 45/454]

Yep go to Rugers site or call I seen this somewhere's else that Ruger says it perfectly O.K.:mrgreen:

http://ruger.com/products/mini14RanchRifle/models.html
As you see here they list both .223 Rem and 5.56mm Nato as ammo for this rifle! They wouldn't do this unless it was perfectly safe to use- correction there lawyers wouldn't let them do it!

[Alan in Vermont]

It took me less time to go to the Ruger website than it would have to ask here. Look at the caliber designation for every rifle listed at http://www.ruger.com/products/mini14RanchRifle/models.html

[xs11jack]

My Mini-14 is an early one the model or serial no. begins with 184-xxxxx on the rear of the receiver it is marked as .223 cal.
Of the surplus ammo I have, 220 rds are in sealed grey boxes marked Ball M193 Lot LC -1-371. The other 220 rds I have are mostly in open ended blank Grey boxes and mostly have WCC head stamps, but there are other head stamps mixed in with them. All the ammo is on 10 rd stripper clips.
So, the majority of you advise going ahead and shooting the mil surp stuff and I think I will do that. Also, I just don't like all the hassle of sell it. I thank everyone, and as you can see by my post count I am new here, and I already feel at home. This is a great place to be!!!
Jack

[Para82]

I will add my .02. I have a Mini14 I bought used in 1987 or 88 and never shot any commercial .223 ammo in it for the first few years I had it. I was in the Army at FT Bragg and 5.56 was easy to come by! Never seemed to hurt it any and I still have it and shoot either .223 or 5.56 depending on what I have. It even eats that steel cased Russian ****. hope this helps ya.

[felix]

Be careful on what you say here, Para! That Russian stuff is equal to or better than the stuff coming out of our factories as of late. Those steel cases are soft and TOUGH. They are now shipping cartridge brass cases as well. It will be a couple of months or so before you see them in the box stores. ... felix

[Para82]

Hey Felix, didn't mean nothin by it. I'll shoot any kinda ammo that I can get these days! US Russian, etc

[Ole]

The owner's manual for my older mini 14 says 5.56 nato is OK. It has a serial number that starts with 185.

[uscra112]

Well, y'know - I very clearly remember there being all sorts of warnings in the 1970s about using 5.56 in the early Minis. Yeah, I was there. But a cruise through the online Ruger literature just now makes no mention of it. So either I'm ready to be put in the home, or the space aliens have been altering the Ruger web site.

I claim the latter. . . .:bigsmyl2:

[Larry Gibson]

Larry, that would have been the M855, Soldier! Just yanking your chain, Brother; the M852 is the 168 gr SMK Match load for the original M14. I know a brain fart when I see one (God knows I have had more than my fair share!). With the 1/12" twist of the earliest Mini14s I had lots of problems working up loads with heavier than 60 gr bullets, however, with a later 1/9" twist rifle the results with a Sierra Game King 65 gr SPBT performed admirably and would likely have digested the M855 ammo as well (although I am unsure of the throating).
I say just hang on to it for trading at a later date, and simply double check the chambering markings on the rifle itself.
Cheers,
Got-R-Did.


Got me there for sure........to many nomenclature #s after 42 years in the Army when I don't look them up..........Thanks for the catch; M855 it is for the 5.56 ammo.

Larry Gibson