In 1987, Ruger also began production of a Mini-14 variation, designated the Mini-30. The Mini-30 is chambered for the Russian 7.62 x 39 mm cartridge, used in the SKS and AK-47. As stated earlier, many states prohibit hunting of deer with calibers smaller than 6 mm (.243"). The 7.62x39 mm has only slightly inferior ballistics to the well-known .30-30 Winchester. Unfortunately, the Mini-30 was not designed to use the corrosive-primered surplus 7.62 x 39 mm ammunition then widely available on the civilian market, and the rifle's barrel and gas system were sometimes destroyed through rust and neglect. The current Mini-30 is configured as an updated Ranch Rifle, with integral scope base, non-folding rear aperture sight, new front sight and low-angle ejection.

Some earlier Mini-14 rifles were chambered in the .222 Remington cartridge, which was the basis for the development of the .223 Remington and its military equivalent 5.56x45 mm NATO. Since the .223 Remington is dimensionally equivalent to the 5.56x45 mm, civilian firearms chambered in that caliber are highly restricted in countries that restrict or prohibit firearms that chamber military cartridges (such as Mexico). By chambering the Mini-14 in the similar but not interchangeable .222 Remington caliber, the Mini-14 could be sold in those countries.

In 2007, Ruger announced the Mini-6.8 utilizing the commercial Remington cartridge that has been growing steadilly in popularity.

A larger version of the Mini-14, called the XGI, was developed by Ruger in .308 Winchester and .243 Winchester, but while it was advertised in 1985 , it never entered production due to continued accuracy and functioning problems.

The Mini-14, Mini-30, and Mini-6.8 are small, lightweight semi-automatic rifles manufactured by the U.S. firearms company Sturm, Ruger. The Mini-14 can fire both the popular .223 Remington cartridge and the similar military 5.56 x 45 mm NATO,while the Mini-30 version uses the 7.62 x 39 mm and the Mini-6.8 fires 6.8 mm Remington SPC.Since 2005, all models are marketed under the name Ranch Rifles.

Technical data

• Caliber: .223 Rem/5.56x45 mm NATO, .222 Remington (discontinued), 7.62x39 mm (as Mini-30)
• Length: 946 mm (37.25 in)
• Weight: 2.9 kg (6 lb 6oz)
• Barrel: 470 mm (18.5 in)
• Rifling: 6 grooves, right spin

Factory Magazines And Capacity

• 5 standard factory magazine
• 20 government and export contract magazines (.223 or .222 only)
• 30 discontinued (.223 or .222 only)