[Daveht]

Would some one please explain to me what the difference between the two are!

I said to some one the other day when asked what I was shooting and I said a Ruger Mini 14 and he said NO I was shooting a Ranch Rifle and then walked away looking at me like I was Stupid. Maybe I am??

Thanks!

 

[toroflow]

As I understand it, a Ranch rifle has a scope mount built in, that accepts Ruger style clamp on rings. I have a mini 14 non-ranch (without provision for Ruger style scope mounts).

Also, I believe all mini 30s are "Ranch", although they aren't referred to that way. Anyhow, my 1990 vintage mini 30 has the Ruger scope mount provision.

 

[onenut58]

According to this link I am posting the mini 14 came out in 1974 and the ranch version came out in 1982. The ranch version has the scope ring mounts machined in and come with rings. It also has the ejection port altered a little to sling the brass away from the scope.
Back in 1980 I worked in a ski shop? sporting goods store for a about a year and we sold a lot of the mini fourteens.I never had a interest in them myself but have shot a few belonging to friends and seen a few here and there. I heard the description ranch rifle over the years and just assumed it was another name for them Like high way patrol is for a model 28.
I may have seen a ranch version before and didnt know what I was looking at but as far as I know I have never seen a ranch version.But I learned something to day any way

http://www.gunblast.com/Ruger_RanchRifle.htm

 

[onenut58]

Wikopedea says all mini fourteens since 2005 are called ranch rifles.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mini-14

 

[xtimberman]

....I said to some one the other day when asked what I was shooting and I said a Ruger Mini 14 and he said NO I was shooting a Ranch Rifle and then walked away looking at me like I was Stupid....

Dave,

What I'm wondering is just why in blazes the jerk asked you the question if he already knew the answer.....

I'm really glad to know about this so that I can give the correct answer if I'm ever asked that question! :lol:

xtm

 

[toroflow]

....I said to some one the other day when asked what I was shooting and I said a Ruger Mini 14 and he said NO I was shooting a Ranch Rifle and then walked away looking at me like I was Stupid....

xtm

I just thank God every day that I don't have to shoot around ANYONE at any time!!! Because comments like this from a nimrod might make me violent! :x

 

[onenut58]

The guy did not know the answer to the question before he ask.Because he incorrectly told Dave he was not shooting a mini fourteen.He was 100 per cent wrong.Dave may have been shooting a ranch version but a mini fouteen.
Same would apply if Dave was driving a 3/4 ton ford pickup ranch version and some joker asked him what you driving there and Dave said a 3/4 ton ford and the guy said no your driving a ranch.
Dave has no reason to feel stupid especialy by a comment made by some one with a inflated ego due to immaturity ignorance and a low IQ.
The guy was so stupid he actualy thinks he realy showed a dummy how smart he was.By making a fool of himself and only half knowing what he is talking about.

 

[Leighton]

Nothing like Gun Show, Gun Range, Gun Store Commando's!
I'm still tickled by the gent who was shooting next to me, and proceeded to tell me my 30-06 was not effective on deer, that I should be shooting something on the order of his .338Lapua.

 

[onenut58]

Woa a 338 lapua for deer. I bet he uses a 50 bmg for elk and moose.If he went to africa I suppose he would need a good size truck to pull his military surplus cannon.

 

[Leighton]

He was very adament about it, then there was Mr. Tacticool with his new wizbang sniper rifle( he was also decked out in the latest tactical gear as well, no he wasn't a LEO). I was shooting my 1903A3 from military sitting, and during a break was telling how unaccurate those old rifles were. Well before I started shooting again I took a look at his group at 100yds, now he had a 700 Sendero, some hugh Lepould scope, bipod, and just about anything else you could imagine hanging off this thing. His best was 10+" at 100yds, and he thought that was great shooting from a bench. I wear Bi-focals, have two steel plates in my neck, CTS in both arms, and shooting with a sling(1907) from a seated position, my gun is inaccurate.

 

[onenut58]

You know its been my experience guys all decked out in there little suits like that with there rifle that cannot be seen for all the junk bolted onto it. Are pretending because they are fasinated with but never had the nerve to swear into the military.

 

[Leighton]

We have a bunch of "good ole boys" around here who love to get all dressed up for the range. I always like busting their bubbles with my M1 Garand, 1903A3, or M1 Carbine. Sometimes I'll use my LE Mini-14. None of those three have anything more than standard military peeps. One that always getts them is when I wear my Retired US Army cap, or my USAMU cap.