#SundayGunday: Ruger Mini-14

by
posted on March 12, 2017
** 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 Garandjust 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

Ledemule Deer Foundation Delivers
Ledemule Deer Foundation Delivers

MDF Invested $48.3 Million for Conservation in 2025

The Mule Deer Foundation (MDF) mobilized a total of $48.3 million for mule deer and black-tailed deer in 2025, its second-best year on record. Across 153 projects in 17 states, MDF helped restore more than 537,000 acres of critical wildlife habitat, benefitted 129 deer herds and eliminated or converted 149 miles of hazardous fence to restore safe movement corridors for wildlife.

Behind the Bullet: .17 Mach 2

Ever heard of the .17 Mach 2? Go behind the scenes on this hot little rimfire round with resident ammo guru Phil Massaro.

Tuo Curates Specialized Turkey Hunting Collection

For the 2026 spring season, Tuo has architected a technical system specifically curated to meet the demands of turkey hunters. While engineered for maximum versatility, the Tuo ecosystem has developed a particular following in regions where the early season isn't defined by green leaves and lilac blooms, but by the high-contrast skeletal timber and grey-scale of the early spring woods.

New for 2026: Savage Model 110 Rimfire

Savage Arms has expanded its Model 110 family of rifles into the rimfire world. Long loved by generations of hunters, the classic Model 110 will now include a number of full size, .22 Long Rifle offerings, making up the new Model 110 RF line.

Snow Goose Science: Hunting Tips from the Pros

Want to drop more snow geese during conservation season? Check out these tips, straight from the pro guides at Central Missouri Wildlife.

New for 2026: Apex Ammunition 28-Gauge SmallTown Hunting TSS Turkey Blend

Apex Ammunition is now offering a 28-gauge load in its SmallTown Hunting Blend line of turkey ammunition.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.