Small Game, Predator and TrappingFrom shooting squirrels in your backyard to calling coyotes in Arizona. This forum now contains trapping information..
I had originally wanted an AR-15 for fun and predator hunting but as I've been doing a little research the Ruger Mini 14 becomes more and more attractive, especially due to the price.
How do you guys feel they compare?
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My roommate has a mini 14 and likes it alright, but said if they were the same price he would have gotten an AR. I'm personally not a fan of semi-auto rifles for hunting at all. I like to shoot long distances and most semi's are not as accurate as bolt action rifles. But out of the two I'd probably get a mini 14.
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RE: AR-15 vs. Mini 14 for predator hunting?
the mini-14 isnt nearly as accurate as an AR-15 but a mini-14 is plenty accurate if you keep your shots under 150 yards also the mini-14 is alot more reliable in all conditions and they are deffinately cheaper in price than a AR-15 I have both and know the limitations of them and I am happy with either so its a tossup between the two for me. AR's like to jam when they are dirty or get crap in the action. Mini-14's will function no matter what they can be caked with grit and still function flawlessly My mini-14 ive put thousands of rounds through it and it has never jammed once the AR is a different story.
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If you keep an AR or M16 clean and just are cautious not to get too much dirt on it, they are pretty reliable. When hunting, your probably not gonna be shooting a whole lotta rounds, so jamming shouldn't be a problem when you've got your sights locked on. Either rifle is gonna kill a coyote, but just get what you want. The AR is gonna be more accurate in the hands of a good shooter, and a mini 14 can be a little more rugged.
The Mini14 will shoot "patterns" at 100 yards and the AR will shoot nice lil groups. I have both, there is no comparrision between the two for shooters.
I would buy a bolt gun long before I would buy a Mini14 for predator hunting. If money is a concern that is my advice to keep you from blowing your money on something that is basically worthless as a hunting gun.
I wouldn't be in a rush to buy any carbine as a varmint gun. I would take my .17 bolt action marlin with a bull barrel over the Mini-14 if I'm limiting myself to 150 yards or less.
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Do yourself a favor and just get an AR. Mini-14's are not accurate and you would have to spend alot of money to get near the accuracy of an AR so you might as well just save yourself the trouble. I had a Mini-30 and it was fun but was not accurate. Many AR's shoot sub moa, mine isvery closeto my savage 12bvss. I have never had my AR jam while hunting but then again I shoot good ammo and clean it once in a while. The only jamming I have had is when shooting my 16 inch upper and shooting 600 rounds of wolf junk in a two hour period. Another upside to an AR is it is a modular weapon and you can change uppers and have different calibers by popping two pins. good luck
I have both, and i could never pick between them, it would just be too hard. I would get that mini-14 first though. once you shoot some rounds through it, you will be happy you got it.
AR-15 vs. Mini 14 for predator hunting?
