Scope recommendations for Mini 14

[TI-tick]

My Uncle has one and asked me for my recommendations for a scope for his Mini 14.
His interest is increased magnification. I would think 1-4/1-6 LPVO or a 2-7 would fit the bill. BDC reticle or similar. Price range; IDK, on the inexpensive side but not junk. Vortex or Leupold, maybe SWFA.

I'm not familiar with Mini 14 but after taking a look at his rifle, has grooves in the receiver for rings, a scope made no sense to me due to the ejection pattern; SA cases banging up on the scope.

Upon reflection I thought it appropriate to put it out to MDS to get more feedback:
To scope or not to scope?
If scope, what's the recommended set up?

TIA

 

[AlBeight]

If Hanibal Smith didn’t need a scope on his Mini 14, nobody needs one! LOL.

 

[newmuzzleloader]

I have one of the 580 series that is my go to varmint gun. I put a Redfield (made by Leupold) Revolution Accurange 3x9x40 on it , over the years I have killed a couple dozen foxes with it.

 

[brianns]

GG&G had a picatinny rail attachment for the Ranch Rifle. You can put a shop scope on that. I didn’t install it yet, but envision a red dot of some kind.

One needs to figure out the intended use and if it has the ability to shoot good groups. 4-6 power would be great for close in.

 

[TI-tick]

I have one of the 580 series that is my go to varmint gun. I put a Redfield (made by Leupold) Revolution Accurange 3x9x40 on it , over the years I have killed a couple dozen foxes with it.

What mount/ring set up do you have?
Any issues w/POA shift due to spent brass?

 

[TI-tick]

GG&G had a picatinny rail attachment for the Ranch Rifle. You can put a shop on that. I didn’t install it yet, but envision a red dot of some kind.

One needs to figure out the intended use and if it has the ability to shoot good groups. 4-6 power would be great for close in.

Use is for varmints at probably < 200 yards.
I thought about red dots but my Uncle wants magnification; if he can't see the varmint with irons, a red dot won't help.

If it was me I'd go bolt action or AR but he has the Mini 14 and likes that.

I'll check out that pic rail website.

 

[TI-tick]

If Hanibal Smith didn’t need a scope on his Mini 14, nobody needs one! LOL.
View attachment 411655

Ahhh, that's not a Mini 14; or at least not my Uncle's.

 

[brianns]

Use is for varmints at probably < 200 yards.
I thought about red dots but my Uncle wants magnification; if he can't see the varmint with irons, a red dot won't help.

If it was me I'd go bolt action or AR but he has the Mini 14 and likes that.

I'll check out that pic rail website.

I have a 3x9 32mm scope on mine. It's lived on there for years and never got the benefit of a proper mounting and trying to figure out the best accuracy. See if you can help your Uncle ascertain the ability of the rifle to group well enough to expect the performance a scope can bring to it. It's great to see what your shooting at of course but the groups might not be tight and disappointment may reign.

 

[308Scout]

Use is for varmints at probably < 200 yards.
I thought about red dots but my Uncle wants magnification; if he can't see the varmint with irons, a red dot won't help.

If it was me I'd go bolt action or AR but he has the Mini 14 and likes that.

I'll check out that pic rail website.

Another option is a scout scope. I also wanted an optic with magnification on mine and tried a few different options before settling on the scout configuration. Swapped out the factory handrail for an Ultimak scout rail and topped it off with a Vortex 2-7x32 Crossfire II scout scope.

 

[TI-tick]

I have a 3x9 32mm scope on mine. It's lived on there for years and never got the benefit of a proper mounting and trying to figure out the best accuracy. See if you can help your Uncle ascertain the ability of the rifle to group well enough to expect the performance a scope can bring to it. It's great to see what your shooting at of course but the groups might not be tight and disappointment may reign.

View attachment 411774

Good idea.
Range time with his ammo! IIRC they are 223 not .556; at least for the older one's.

Your scope looks high to me and those maybe factory rings to allow for ejection, but IDK.

 

[brianns]

Good idea.
Range time with his ammo! IIRC they are 223 not .556; at least for the older one's.

Your scope looks high to me and those maybe factory rings to allow for ejection, but IDK.

Yup, factory rings that came with the rifle, made for the receiver mounting points. That’s where a scope goes when using them, height-wise. The Mini-14 is a small rifle so justs look like a bigger rifle with a high mount. Lol

 

[newmuzzleloader]

What mount/ring set up do you have?
Any issues w/POA shift due to spent brass?

It's been so long ago I can't remember what rings I used. I have had no problems with the scope holding zero. The newer mini 14's eject off to the side, waaaay off to the side, where the older ones - to my understanding - would eject more or less straight up.

 

[TI-tick]

It's been so long ago I can't remember what rings I used. I have had no problems with the scope holding zero. The newer mini 14's eject off to the side, waaaay off to the side, where the older ones - to my understanding - would eject more or less straight up.

IDK how to get a good cheek weld with a high scope and a relatively low top of butt stock. But WTF do I know.

I gotta think more about all of this.

Peace

 

[Sundancer]

Another option is a scout scope. I also wanted an optic with magnification on mine and tried a few different options before settling on the scout configuration. Swapped out the factory handrail for an Ultimak scout rail and topped it off with a Vortex 2-7x32 Crossfire II scout scope.

View attachment 411795

What is this stock? I like it and wonder if it would fit a 195-xxxxxx series? Actually, the whole setup looks tight. Cheers.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[308Scout]

What is this stock? I like it and wonder if it would fit a 195-xxxxxx series? Actually, the whole setup looks tight. Cheers.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

It's a Hogue overmolded stock. Per their description, they should fit all post 180- series minis.

Mini 14/30 - Ruger - Rifle & Shotgun Stocks - Hogue Products

www.hogueinc.com

 

[Magnumite]

Ruger rings are available in different heights...at least they were at one time. Just and FYI

 

[Qbeam]

A lot of 1-4s and 1-6s out there. Vortex Strike Eagle is decent. I've shot out at 200 and have not had issuse on an AR, Mini-14 may be an issue with the ejection pattern, but the Picatinny rail may help keep the scope from getting hit.

Q

 

[outrider58]

Another option is a scout scope. I also wanted an optic with magnification on mine and tried a few different options before settling on the scout configuration. Swapped out the factory handrail for an Ultimak scout rail and topped it off with a Vortex 2-7x32 Crossfire II scout scope.

View attachment 411795

I like the scout option. It's made for this gun.

 

[Waingro]

Another option is a scout scope. I also wanted an optic with magnification on mine and tried a few different options before settling on the scout configuration. Swapped out the factory handrail for an Ultimak scout rail and topped it off with a Vortex 2-7x32 Crossfire II scout scope.

View attachment 411795

That looks great bro. I've always liked that look on a mini. Well done sir. I gotta get around to getting a mini 30 with that mount. Always wanted one then the prices got stupid