It weighed just 6.39 ounces empty. Figure out how old your Mini 14 is with the Ruger Mini 14 serial number lookup chart below: (Manufactured from 1974 to 1977)Caliber: .223 Rem.Beginning Serial Number | Year of Production180-00001 1974180-05101 1975180-28282 1976180-59251 1977181-07488 1978181-48351 1979181-84879 1980182-45601 1981183-03581 1982183-40455 1983184-17175 1984184-26063 1985184-95448 1986185-14140 1987185-50455 1988185-56556 1989185-81009 1990186-05029 1991186-18250 1992186-20065 1993186-31116 1994186-42502 1995186-58133 1996186-66855 1997186-81445 1998186-87432 1999*196-06325 2000*196-44553 2001*196-80982 2002*196-99207 2003*197-12180 2004, (Manufactured from 1982 - 2004)Caliber: .222 Rem., .223 Rem.Beginning Serial Number | Year of Production187-00001 1982187-02611 1983187-13218 1984187-27226 1985187-50919 1986187-59308 1987187-70033 1988187-84127 1989188-01157 1990188-30499 1991188-50902 1992188-66901 1993188-71086 1994188-85981 1995195-06037 1996195-27761 1997195-44221 1998195-63542 1999196-06325 2000196-44553 2001196-80982 2002196-99207 2003197-12180 2004. Builds up lots of carbon and have to be scrubbed like a Garand and Carbine. I don't know how well 62 grain bullets would work, but I think accuracy would suffer. It was probably made about 1997, give or take. At the same time, I bought two SKS's. No issues. Add to Wishlist Email to a Friend; Share Facebook ; Share on Twitter; Latest Press Releases. Lightweight, great for hog hunting or critters. Do an online search. Would be worthy of sticky status if it also included barrel twist rates. Finally hunted all the mags needed from Ruger . If someone is telling you they have a Model 582 with a serial number 580 1) they don't understand the model numbering system, 2) are not telling the whole truth or 3) you misunderstood what they were saying - for example, they could have a Model 5820 with a 580 serial number. My youngest son and I both have the Mini 6.8 SPC. These rifles are chambered for both .223 Remington and 5.5645mm NATO ammo and for the most part (there's one exception that I'll tell you more about below) feature 18.5-inch tapered barrels and are available with either .