The Target version is accurate enough for competitive target shooting and the Ranch version is great for plinking. The Mini 14 is a versatile rifle that is ideal for both enjoyment and utility. The Ranch rifle is available in hardwood and synthetic stock variants. Each of these versions is suited for a different purpose, as the names suggest. 223 Remington rounds the Tactical, which has a shorter barrel and the Mini 30, which is chambered for the 7.62x39mm round. The Mini 14 comes in several variants, including the Ranch rifle, which is the base model, the Target, which accepts only. It was first produced in 1973 by Sturm, Ruger & Co., and was based on the design of the M1 Garand rifle. The Ranch version is about 37’’ long and weighs roughly 6.75 lb. It employs a fixed-piston gas system and a rotating bolt mechanism. The Mini 14 is a semi-automatic carbine chambered for. This is not very surprising, considering it’s been nicknamed the ‘Jamless Wonder’ for its exceptional reliability in firing blanks. The Ruger Mini 14 is almost ubiquitous in the world of showbiz, making appearances in shows like The Walking Dead, 24, The A-Team and dozens of Hollywood movies. Even if you don’t know the name, you’ve probably seen it on TV.