#SundayGunday: Ruger Mini-14

American Hunter Staff

posted on March 12, 2017

Support NRA American Hunter DONATE

** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **

#SundayGunday is all about honoring the latest and greatest firearms available to hunters. This week, there's a strong emphasis on the "greatest" part of that sentence—because the rifle we're featuring is far from new. Heck, it’s older than half our editorial team, having first rolled off the line in the early 70s. Even so, it remains a favorite among hunters and shooters across the nation, and is one of the most recognized products ever produced by Sturm, Ruger and Company. We're talking, of course, about the Ruger Mini-14. Decades old and still vastly popular, the Mini-14 doesn’t have many limits. Once upon a time, Ruger loosely based it on the military’s legendary M-14, along with a gas piston based o the M1 Garand—just with a few cost-saving alterations and innovations that ultimately made it more appealing to the civilian market. You can learn more about it with the video embedded above, hosted by Digital Managing Editor Shawn Skipper.

Looking for more #SundayGunday? We've got you covered.

• #SundayGunday: Marlin 1895 GSBL Lever-Action Rifle
• #SundayGunday: Browning A5 Sweet Sixteen
• #SundayGunday: Smith & Wesson Model 69
• #SundayGunday: Savage Arms A22 Magnum
• #SundayGunday: Winchester SX4
• #SundayGunday: Benelli Ethos 28-Gauge
• #SundayGunday: Kimber Model 84M Hunter

Latest

Member's Hunt: Patience is Tough When You Shoot a Big Buck

My phone still in my hands, I texted my teenage son, who was hunting along the field not far away. Trying not to move any part of my body but my thumbs, I sent the message, “Got a buck down, but he’s still alive. Help!” Tucker texted back, “What do you want me to do?” I replied: “Come kill the bastard before he kills me!” Intrigued? Read on.

News, New for 2026

First Look: 2026 Spypoint Trail Camera Lineup

Spypoint's 2026 trail camera line-up features three new models designed to deliver on flexibility and control.

News, New for 2026

Hardware Review: Christensen Arms Evoke .375 H&H

A .375 H&H Magnum for less than $1,000 is a win for hunters on any continent, especially when it comes packed with features and has the sub-MOA accuracy potential of the American-made Evoke from Christensen Arms.

News, New for 2026

New for 2026: Avian-X Waterfowl Backpacks

Expanding its assortment to include soft goods in 2026, waterfowl brand Avian-X has announced an all-new lineup of packs specifically designed to keep waterfowl hunters organized, mobile and ready for anything.

News, Guns & Gear

Behind the Bullet: The .308 Norma Magnum

Norma’s ballistician Nils Kvale saw the wisdom of having the velocity and horsepower of the .300 H&H Magnum, but in a shorter, more affordable receiver, and used the H&H case to develop his .358 Norma Magnum in 1959 as well as the .308 Norma Magnum one year later. The .308 Norma Magnum closely resembles the wildcat .30-338 cartridge, though the shoulder of the former is located a bit more toward the base than that of the .308 Norma Magnum. Intrigued? Read on about this often unfairly overlooked hunting classic.

News, Ammo