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Cast bullets in the Mini 14

travis3
Who has tried cast bullets in the Mini 14 and how did it work out. What about paper patched bullets?
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8 comments

Date Votes
  • rufe-snow
    Gas operated firearms that have a hole drilled in the barrel to enable the gas to function the mechanism, would have potential problems with lead or paper patch bullets fouling the internal gas mechanism. Although I have heard of folks using lead bullets in their semi-auto reloads it's not common per the reason above. As long as you understand you will have to keep the internals clean of the lead and paper patch residue, go for it though.
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  • dcs shooters
    If you plug up the gas hole in the barrel of a Mini you are in big trouble [:0]
    Once that happens you will have a single shot rifle. The Mini gas block is just bolted on, and if it has to be removed to clean out the gas hole, it is almost impossible to align back up without the jig the factory uses to do it.
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  • peabo
    Would lead bullets with gas checks cause the same problem or would they be O.K.?


    Thanks---Peabo
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  • jonk
    This is a problem more in theory than in practice IF you use a bullet properly fit to the throat and bore diameter and IF you don't drive it over 2000 fps while using a gas check, good alloy, and proper lube. I don't have a Mini 14, but have put thousands of lead bullets through my M1 carbine and M1 Garand with no issue and no leading or gas port problems.

    YMMV. If you use soft lead, no check, too hot a powder charge, or poor lube, you could well have these issues.

    Start by totally cleaning and decoppering the bore, then slugging to determine diameter. Use a cast bullet with gas check sized 1/1000-2/1000" over bore diameter and verify it chambers without resistance. Then figure out a load that is under 2000 fps with a Brinell hardness of at least 18 but not more than 30. You should be fine.

    Now that said, getting cast to work well in .223 is a real pain due to light bullets, high velocities, small mold capacities, shallow rifling in small bores, etc. It can be done but I'd say to start on a .30 cal cast job first to cut your teeth.

    Check out the cast boolit forum for more info.
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  • Mobuck
    There are just some things that are not meant to be. Lead bullets and gas operated rifles are on that list.
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  • travis3
    I have read at other forums it has been done with this worry. What about using a paper patched Bullet?
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  • CS8161
    Why take the chance? Stick to jacketed bullets in a Mini-14, or I guarantee you that you will be sending it back to Ruger for repairs.
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  • jonk
    quote:Originally posted by travis3
    I have read at other forums it has been done with this worry. What about using a paper patched Bullet?
    In principle you can push a pp bullet as hard as a copper jacketed one, but those are some might small bullets to paper patch...also I'd worry about the semi auto action unseating the patch and leading to horrible leading/tumbling.
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