I have an older Mini 30 that the owner's manual states has a 308 diameter barrel. Last weekend at the gun range, I got into a discussion with a fellow shooter who insists the new Mini 30's have a .311 diameter barrel. Is this correct and if so when did they change (either year, serial #. etc). I assume that this will make some difference for reloading although I have fired Chinese surplus (.311) in the Mini and also in the Ruger 77 without problems. Thanks.

all mini's have a .308 bore, according to ruger, ~4 years ago

jeffe

FWIW, my understanding was that the Mini 30 has a long tapered throat to 'swage' a .311 bullet down to .308 if it is fired in it. So it is 'designed' to handle both bullet sizes. Personally, I can't see that as a real benefit, so I keep plinking with my SKS!

The one I had, about four years ago, had a throat that the best I could measure it had to be about 1.5 inches long. As I recall I couldn't seat a 190gr. Matchking out far enough to touch the rifling without the bullet falling out of the case(I was trying to prove a point to a friend...that Ruger was using a long throat to swage the .310's down).

I think the 311 are more accurate,because the throat is too long ,the 311's are cut down or made to fit when fired. More pressure and uniformed by instant resizing? Is there any truth to this? Or does my rifle just like them better? The 308's are about 4inches at 100yds. The 311's soft points 2.5inches at 100yds. Come on gunsmiths what makes it better?