There is a lot to be said for the 7.62X39 round. It is absolutely effective against human targets, and is definitely useable for hunting deer, if the correct bullet is used.
I haven't priced the Mini-30 lately, but I remember them being a little pricey, for what you get. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE Rugers, but I'm a little underwhelmed by the "value" factor of this one. It's said they have had some accuracy issues? What kind of groups can you shoot with them?
If you are going to spend money on a "minute of critter" accurate rifle, get an SKS and be done with it. Spend a couple hundred dollars on a rifle that is utterly dependable, and reasonably accurate. If you don't like the "military" appearance of it, put an aftermarket synthetic stock on it. This will also add to the length of pull, which most of us really need for these short stocked rifles.
I've taken two hogs (130-150lbs) with mine, and the only thing I'd do differently now is use the 154gr softpoint russian ammo. The 123gr is a little light for hogs, but would probably work just fine on deer. I can usually shoot 2"groups at 50yds and around 6-8" at 100yds. Definitely minute of deer, or BG.
In a SHTF scenario, surplus ammo on stripper clips sounds like the ticket.
ANY round that is viable for home defense is going to be capable of going through walls. The only thing that MIGHT not be a danger to kids in the next room would be small birdshot in a shotgun, but even that will go through sheetrock pretty easily. Any rifle round will go till it hits something solid, or it runs out of gas.
I haven't priced the Mini-30 lately, but I remember them being a little pricey, for what you get. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE Rugers, but I'm a little underwhelmed by the "value" factor of this one. It's said they have had some accuracy issues? What kind of groups can you shoot with them?
If you are going to spend money on a "minute of critter" accurate rifle, get an SKS and be done with it. Spend a couple hundred dollars on a rifle that is utterly dependable, and reasonably accurate. If you don't like the "military" appearance of it, put an aftermarket synthetic stock on it. This will also add to the length of pull, which most of us really need for these short stocked rifles.
I've taken two hogs (130-150lbs) with mine, and the only thing I'd do differently now is use the 154gr softpoint russian ammo. The 123gr is a little light for hogs, but would probably work just fine on deer. I can usually shoot 2"groups at 50yds and around 6-8" at 100yds. Definitely minute of deer, or BG.
In a SHTF scenario, surplus ammo on stripper clips sounds like the ticket.
ANY round that is viable for home defense is going to be capable of going through walls. The only thing that MIGHT not be a danger to kids in the next room would be small birdshot in a shotgun, but even that will go through sheetrock pretty easily. Any rifle round will go till it hits something solid, or it runs out of gas.
