When it comes to guns, choosing the right rifle can be tough. You’ve got the Ares SCR and the Ruger Mini 14 Ranch as two strong candidates for a good, yet economical semi-automatic mini-rifle. Both of them pack a punch in terms of reliability and accuracy but they stand apart when it comes to their design, how they work, and what kind of performance you can expect.
That’s why we will be taking a deep dive into the nitty-gritty of these two rifles, analyzing their features and specs so that you can make an informed decision on which one is best for you.
Size and Dimensions
Ares SCR has an overall length of 34.5 inches with a barrel length of 16.25 inches. The rifle weighs in at 5.8 pounds unloaded, making it a relatively lightweight option. Its height, including the sights, is 7.5 inches.
The Mini 14 Ranch rifle is slightly larger and heavier than the Ares SCR. The overall length of the rifle is 37.5 inches, with a barrel length of 18.5 inches. The unloaded weight of the rifle is approximately 7.5 pounds, making it significantly heavier than the Ares SCR. Its height, including the sights, is 7.75 inches.
Appearance and Design
The Ares SCR features a modern and sleek design that is characterized by its black polymer lower receiver, and upper receiver made of hard-anodized aluminum. The rifle has a Picatinny rail on top of the receiver, allowing for the attachment of various optics and accessories. The overall appearance is minimalist with clean lines and no extraneous features or embellishments.
I, personally, am a big fan. Have a look for yourself:
In contrast, the Mini 14 Ranch has a more traditional appearance, reminiscent of classic hunting rifles. The rifle features a wood stock and blued steel receiver which gives it a classic and timeless look. The rifle has a non-detachable box magazine and a traditional rear sight with a fixed blade and adjustable aperture.
Caliber and Barrel
The Ares SCR is chambered in .223 Remington/5.56x45mm NATO which is a popular cartridge among hunters, competitive shooters, and law enforcement agencies.
The Mini 14 Ranch, on the other hand, is available in multiple calibers, including .223 Remington, 5.56x45mm NATO, and .300 AAC Blackout.
The .223 Remington and 5.56x45mm NATO are both intermediate cartridges designed for use in rifles, while the .300 AAC Blackout is a cartridge designed for use in suppressed firearms.
The barrel twist rate can affect a rifle’s accuracy and suitability for different types of ammunition. The Ares SCR has a 1:9 twist rate which is suitable for most standard .223 Remington/5.56x45mm NATO ammunition.
The Mini 14 Ranch has a slower twist rate of 1:10 or 1:7, depending on the model, which can be more suitable for heavier or longer bullets.
Trigger
The Ares SCR has a single-stage trigger that is designed to provide a smooth pull and a crisp break, helping improve accuracy.
The Mini 14 Ranch has a single-stage trigger as well but it is known for having a longer and heavier trigger pull than some other rifles in its class. However, this trigger can be adjusted by a gunsmith to suit the user’s preferences.
The trigger pull weight is another critical specification that can affect a shooter’s accuracy and precision. The Ares SCR has a trigger pull weight of approximately 6-7 pounds which is suitable for most shooting applications.
The Mini 14 Ranch has a heavier trigger pull weight of approximately 7-8 pounds which can make it more challenging to shoot accurately, particularly over longer distances. Some people find this satisfying, however.
The Ares SCR has an oversized trigger guard that accommodates gloved fingers, making it a better option for cold-weather shooting. The Mini 14 Ranch has a standard trigger guard that can be difficult to use with gloves.
Operating System
The Ares SCR operates on a direct gas impingement system which is a pretty straightforward operating mechanism commonly used in AR-style rifles.
The Mini 14 Ranch, contrarily, utilizes a proprietary gas system that operates similarly to the M1 Garand rifle. This gas system is known for its reliability and durability.
Sights and Accessories
The Ares SCR does not come with iron sights but it has a Picatinny rail on the upper receiver that can accommodate a variety of optics like red dots and magnified scopes.
The Mini 14 Ranch comes with adjustable iron sights that can be used to achieve accurate shots at medium-range distances. The rifle’s receiver is also drilled and tapped to accept scope mounts, which can help improve accuracy at longer ranges.
Precision and Accuracy
In terms of precision, the Ares SCR rifle may have an advantage due to its shorter barrel length and bullpup design. The compact size and weight distribution of the rifle allow quicker and more precise target acquisition, resulting in a higher degree of consistency between multiple shots.
However, in terms of accuracy, the Mini 14 Ranch rifle may have an advantage due to its longer barrel length and solid construction. The longer barrel allows for a longer sight radius, which can enhance accuracy at medium to long-range distances.
Overall, both rifles are designed to provide reliable and accurate shooting experiences. The Ares SCR rifle may be more precise in close-range shooting scenarios, while the Mini 14 Ranch rifle may be more accurate at medium to long-range distances.
Conceal Carry and Draw
Neither rifle is suitable for conceal carry due to their size and weight; both rifles are much larger than a typical concealed carry handgun, making them difficult to conceal. Additionally, they are designed to be used with two hands which can be challenging in a concealed carry situation.
The Ares SCR’s lower receiver is designed to resemble an AR-15 lower receiver, making it easy to grip and manipulate in a draw situation. The rifle’s magazine release button is also designed for quick and easy magazine changes.
The Mini 14 Ranch, while still easy to grip, does not have the same level of design for quick draw scenarios, and the magazine release is not as intuitive as the Ares SCRs.
Reload and Magazine
Let’s take this section step by step:
Ease of Reload
The Ares SCR rifle has a quick and easy magazine release system that allows for fast and efficient reloading. The magazine can be easily removed and replaced, and the rifle is designed to allow for quick and easy access to the magazine release button.
The Mini 14 Ranch rifle’s magazine release is located on the side of the receiver and requires the user to press a button while pulling the magazine out.
Clip Accessibility
The Ares SCR rifle has a unique magazine design that allows for quick and easy removal and insertion. The magazine release button is located at the base of the magazine well and is easily accessible with the thumb. The rifle accepts both proprietary Ares SCR magazines and standard AR-15 magazines.
The Mini 14 Ranch rifle has a more traditional magazine design that requires the user to press a button on the side of the magazine to release it. The magazine is proprietary to the Mini 14 Ranch rifle and is available in 5 and 20-round capacities, less commonly 10.
Round Capacity
The Ares SCR rifle is available in two different magazine capacities – 10 and 30 rounds. The rifle can accept standard AR-15 magazines, which can be found in a wide range of capacities up to 100 rounds.
The Mini 14 Ranch rifle comes standard with a 5-round magazine, but a 20-round magazine version is also available, which I highly recommend getting.
Magazine Compatibility
As previously mentioned, the Ares SCR rifle is compatible with both proprietary Ares SCR magazines and standard AR-15 magazines. This provides the shooter with a wide range of options in terms of magazine capacity and manufacturer.
The Mini 14 Ranch rifle only accepts proprietary magazines designed specifically for the Mini 14 Ranch rifle.
Velocity and Energy
Velocity, which is the speed at which a bullet travels, is an important factor when considering the performance of a rifle. The Ares SCR is chambered in .223 Remington and has a muzzle velocity of approximately 3,000 feet per second.
The Mini 14 Ranch, on the other hand, is chambered in .223 Remington or 5.56 NATO and has a slightly slower muzzle velocity of around 2,800 feet per second due to its longer 18.5-inch barrel.
Energy, which is the force behind a bullet, is also an important factor in rifle performance. The Ares SCR generates a muzzle energy of around 1,280 foot-pounds, which is significant for a firearm of its size.
The Mini 14 Ranch generates slightly less muzzle energy, at around 1,260 foot-pounds, but still offers a substantial amount of force behind each shot.
Purpose and Use
When considering the purpose of use, it is important to note that the Ares SCR is designed for law enforcement and military personnel, rapid target acquisition, tactical situations, home defense, and close-range shooting, whereas the Mini 14 Ranch is designed for more precise shooting at medium ranges such as for varmint hunting, and pest control, and sports shooting.
Cost and Value for Money
The Ares SCR rifle is generally considered to be a more expensive firearm than the Mini 14 Ranch rifle. The price of the Ares SCR rifle can range from around $1,500 to $2,000.
The availibility of the SCR is definitely an issue. The only retailer worth recommending to you guys that stocks it is Brownell’s. You can click here to check the updated price and buy from them.
This higher price point can be attributed to the rifle’s bullpup design, which requires advanced engineering and manufacturing techniques, as well as more specialized parts and accessories.
Comparatively, the Mini 14 Ranch rifle is generally considered to be a more affordable option. The price of the Mini 14 Ranch rifle can range from around $800 to $1,400, depending on the specific model and any additional accessories that may be included.
The Ruger Mini 14 is an extremely popular and well rated rifle too which speaks volumes as to why it is a logical choice. Between all its variants, the Mini 14 has accumulated over 500 reviews on Guns.com, one of our recommended online retailer. You can click here to veiw the entire collection of new and used Mini 14 rifles they have to offer.
That being said, I recommend buying it from Brownell’s because they were offering it for around $30 cheaper, but they do have limited stocks. You may click here to view their updated price and buy from them.
The Mini 14 Ranch rifle offers a higher value to some users due to its affordability and reliable performance. The rifle’s construction and design have been time-tested and proven to be dependable, making it a good option for those who prioritize simplicity and accuracy.
The availability of the rifle, its parts, accessories and ammunition alone tilts the scales in its favor, let alone the lower price. This makes the Mini 14 a clear winner in this most important category.
Wrapping It Up
Ultimately, the better rifle will depend on the specific needs and preferences of the shooter. For those who prioritize mobility and want that extra bit of better build quality, the Ares SCR may be the better option.
However, for those who treasure reliability and accuracy and value for money above all else, the Mini 14 Ranch may be the superior choice. I, for one, would choose the Mini 14 Ranch even if I like the design of the SCR more. To me, the extra bit of engineering that goes into the making is not worth the extra hundreds of dollars.
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