Mini 14 in 300 Whisper??

[BLeeber]

Hello all,

I've recently been looking at having my Mini 14 customized by a company I recently found who specializes in the Mini. They told me that my caliber options (other than a re-barrel in .223 with a faster twist to handle heavier bullets) were 6x45mm or 300 Whisper.

I am really interested in a custom conversion to breath new life in my Mini as I don't really use it. I acquired it through my brother when he passed 4 years ago. I already own 2 Bushmasters in .223 and would use one of those if I needed to go with a .223. I am considering this custom rifle for use as a close range (under 150) deer rifle, as I am predominantly a deer/hog hunter.

Now that I am seeing that factory ammo might be a little easier to find, I am really thinking of having the rifle re-done in possibly 6x45mm or 300 Whisper, as was told were probably the best options converting from .223 for my intended purpose.

What are everyone's thoughts?

1. Re-do the gun keeping it .223 but with a faster twist to handle heavier bullets for small deer?

2. Re-do the gun in 6x45, keeping in mind that I don't reload for rifle yet?

3. Same as #2 but in 300 Whisper?

If the latter, would the 300 Whisper in a Mini 14 be a good match?

Thank you!!

[Garrett]

A Mini 14 in .300 Whisper should be decent for supersonic ammo. I'm not sure how well it would cycle subsonic ammo though. You might have to do some cutting and welding on the forward part of the op rod and move the gas port closer to the action.

With supersonic loadings, you are going to be really similar to the 7.62x39. In that case, you might be better off just selling the Mini 14 and getting a Mini 30.

[Fritzcat]

I have had 2 mini 14 in 223 and 1 mini 30 in 762x39. These in stock form work for deer up to 100yds, but I would not invest any money in these platforms because of accuracy results from desighn. Use an AR platform, it will be cheaper with pleasing results.

[Garrett]

but I would not invest any money in these platforms because of accuracy results from desighn. Use an AR platform, it will be cheaper with pleasing results.

Actually, a lot of it has to do with the barrel and trigger. There are smiths who specialize in the Mini-14, and can turn it in to a real tack-driver. Of course, by the time you get there, you could have built a nice AR15 that would shoot just as well.

I understand the accurized Mini 14s are popular in places like California, where it is difficult to get a more common "good" rifle.

[BLeeber]

Good points. Having 2 AR's, I might be better off using one for this project. There are some nice looking rifles at the place I talked to though.

http://www.accuracysystemsinc.com/index.php

As mentioned, I really don't have much use for a Mini (or actually...for another .223). I just thought I would do something with it as I hate to get rid of guns. But, at $800 for a full conversion, trigger, accurizing, etc., that's another rifle or a great upper and scope for an AR. Then settling for a lesser caliber. NOT that the 300 Whisper is a lesser caliber...I mean that there are better deer calibers out there.

Thanks again!!

[jonblack]

I don't mean to butt into your personal life, but, If it were me, I would not do any of the options you listed. Since it was your brother's gun, and he is no longer with you, I would leave it just like it is. I would clean it really well and shoot it on special occasions.

I have done the same thing with a S&W revolver that I inherited from my grandfather. I was at the hospital with him when he was dying. I heard him tell my dad that he wanted me to have the gun. I got it shortly after he died. It is a sweet shooting gun, and I am going to keep it just like my grandpa had it.

That's my $0.02. I hope this helps you with your decision.

jonblack

[BLeeber]

jonblack, that is actually very good advice. Thank you. My brother and I had different views on guns. I saw them as tools for hunting or personal protection and purchased accordingly. He saw them as toys (so to speak) and fun at the range. So, I guess I was trying to make his more useful to me. But, I sure did enjoy our trips to the range just to shoot. Maybe you are right and they should stay that way. That might even get me to the range more often, "just to shoot" instead of prepping my hunting rifles.

Sometimes you just need to hear it from someone else. Otherwise, you'll try to convince yourself of something over and over again.

Thanks!

[jonblack]

Bleeber

I am pleased that my viewpoint did not offend you. You seem to be giving this a lot of thought, so I am sure you will make the decision that is right for you.

Take care
jonblack