Planning to make a Ruger Mini 14 in .300 Whisper

[Buckshot]

Hello.
I am planning to buy a cheap second hand Ruger mini 14 (Ranch) rifle.
This should be converted by aplying an adjustable gas tube.

The barrel should be replaced by a Lothar Walther 13.5 inch barrel.
Stock should be replaced by either a original Ruger folding stock, or a Ramline type.

Does anyone here have any experience with converting a mini 14 to .300 Whisper?

I also would like to get in contact with someone who does have an original stock for a mini 14.

Since they are hard to get, I am considering to build one by myself.
(At least ,I hope this will be possible)

If anyone has got any usefull info, please let me know.

Sincerely.

Buckshot

[Bigfoot]

Since you don't have one yet why not get a Mini-30 instead? The early -30s had a .308 bore instead of .311. It has a 1-10" twist so it should stabilise 180s. The gas bushing could be opened up so it will function at Whisper velocities. ASI makes an adjustable gas block for the Mini-14, don't know if they make a -30 version but I'll bet that they can if asked.

[Buckshot]

Since I already have a SIG 551 SWAT in .300 Whisper, I would like to use this cartridge.
I normaly use 220 grains Sierra Pro Hunter bullets, so a 1/10 inch wouldn't stabilize that.
Thanks anyway.
I will get the gas block from ASI.
That is some usefull info.

Thanks for the help

Buckshot

Originally Posted by Bigfoot

Since you don't have one yet why not get a Mini-30 instead? The early -30s had a .308 bore instead of .311. It has a 1-10" twist so it should stabilise 180s. The gas bushing could be opened up so it will function at Whisper velocities. ASI makes an adjustable gas block for the Mini-14, don't know if they make a -30 version but I'll bet that they can if asked.

[Quarterbore]

Where would you get a 223 sized bolt and how would you convert it to use 223 mags if you start with the Mini-30?

I would suggest starting with the Mini-14 as you had planned and just get a new barrel. All the other changes will be a PITA compared to a barrel swap.

Now, I am pretty sude JD Jones at SSK has done mini-14 conversions in the past but I have never seen one. It might be worth a call to at least get an estimate and see what he would do to make one run.

[Bigfoot]

Since Buckshot wants to shoot heavier bullets my (admittedly unclear) suggestion of using a mostly stock Mini-30 in 7.62x39 is moot.

Since you're using an aftermarket barrel I'm assuming that yould make it a larger diameter, these pencil thin Ruger barrels heat up and start throwing 4-5 MOA patterns after a few shots. In addition to Ruger gas blocks modified to be adjustable ASI also sells thier own custom gas blocks for larger diameter barrels. I think I saw an adjustment screw on one of those at thier site.

Have you been to the Perfect Union site? Tons of good Mini info and you should be able to find a folder there. You'll find bedding how-tos, trigger work tips, etc. A couple of guys there have MOA Minis with stock barrels using inexpensive barrel struts or tensioners. http://perfectunion.com/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=86

[gt3499a]

I think that bigfoot meant that you could load down 7.62x39 to subsonic with 180 grners instead of making it a true whisper.

Buckshot, I dont have a lot of advice for your project but would like to see a picture of your 551! Seems kind of like it would be near ideal. A bolt gun would make a nice pair with the 551.

[Buckshot]

I am currently waiting for a modified gas tube and rod.
These parts are to arive from Switzerland and are to be modified by Renier van den Berg from Gun-Pro in Haaksbergen (the Netherlands).

I also have purchased a G3 Flashhider to put on the barrel.

I wil try to post a foto of the current look of my gun (already modified to .300 Whisper/.300 Fireball

The Mini 14 I am planning to build should have a heavy barrel indeed.
But I will show you the SWAT first.

Originally Posted by gt3499a

I think that bigfoot meant that you could load down 7.62x39 to subsonic with 180 grners instead of making it a true whisper.

Buckshot, I dont have a lot of advice for your project but would like to see a picture of your 551! Seems kind of like it would be near ideal. A bolt gun would make a nice pair with the 551.

[ranger dave]

ok where to start you cant make a mini 30 fire 300 whisper the bolt face is for the 7.62x39 not 5.56x45 but you are on the wright track just load some 7.62x39 with whisper data and you are done i have found over the years that load data for the 7.62x39 will interchanger with the 300 whisper i live about 25 min from ssk and have had a whisper for 17 years now i have a rem 788 in 7.62x39 with a can that will do the same thing as the whisper the key is the ammo ( the load ) dont trust me look for your self compaire the load data of the two