Mini-14 Optics

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film495

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suggest me an optic or scope/optic set up. I don't know what I like and have never used a red dot, but like the idea. not looking to break the bank, but want something decent. not a hunting rifle, just a tactical toy to bring to the range and practice with. not sure exactly, but think I would like something that could be reasonably proficient from 50 out to 200 yards, maybe more just to see if I can get any accuracy at longer distance, but I think for tactical application - whatever those distances are - would like to focus on. have been doing some reading, but hard to tell without actually putting my hands on something to see how it works.
 
I tried this and it seemed like a good idea but I got it second hand and the prior owner had stripped a couple of the screws. Steel screws in aluminum=not a good design.
https://www.gggaz.com/mini-14-rail-with-fastfire-iii-red-dot-scope.html

Personally I’d either get some rings for the built-in Ruger mounts (assuming yours is a ranch rifle or more recent mini) and get a primary arms LPVO or get an ultimak or amega picatinny rail setup and run an Aimpoint.
http://www.amegamounts.com/product_pages/rugerMini14.php

http://ultimak.com/m4.htm
 
I use the factory rings and an older Bushnell Trophy shotgun 1.75-4x with circle x reticle scope on mine. It’s all beat up with some scrapes and dings on the tube, but works great.
 
It is a new Mini-14 tactical model with flash supressor if that added detail helps, says comes with scope rings, but I don't know if they work well or not.
 
It is a new Mini-14 tactical model with flash supressor if that added detail helps, says comes with scope rings, but I don't know if they work well or not.
Those are Ruger high rings they work was pretty much any low power variable and still allow you to keep the sights mounted.Are my mini 14 I went with a 1 to 4 power Nikon and remove the sights to use Leopold low rings.
I liked the feel of the mini using a LPV, but a red dot on an add on rail (stock rings are 1" and wont work with any of the dots im aware of) would probably be a really good choice as well.
I just picked up a bushnwll lil p prism sight, that im inclined to get a second one of for a future mini-14/30.
 
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I have three mini’s. I have 1-4x power CMR scopes on each. I like the scopes. Got them through a friend who worked at the Arms. The hard part is mounting low enough.
 

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All I've ever bothered with on my Mini 14, is a cheap Nikon prostaff 2-7x32. It went on vacation to visit my Tikka and now is back. I use the rings Ruger provided with the gun.

What you choose is up to you, but a basic low/medium magnification scope with a simple reticle will probably serve you well. Lower magnification usual yields more flexibility where eye relief is concerned, so the rifle can be brought to aim faster.
 
Has anyone found a difference other than the name between the NcStar ranch rifle rail and the ones that look the same but are three to four times as expensive and do not say where they are made?

Are the others just repackaged and marked up?

-kBob
 
I bought a couple of the Nc star rails that use angled screws to “bite” into the recessed milled in the factory scope mounts to hold the rail in place.
These have always seemed flimsy and easy to bump out of alignment to me, so I took them off. IMHO the grip these screw heads provide doesn’t attach very securely compared to the scope rings that came with the rifle.

If you don’t want to use the enclosed rings, Handguards with built in rails seem to be a bit more secure to me. One could still knock a dot or scout scope out of alignment with a decent bump or drop, but I don’t think these won’t let the whole sight and rail pop off as easily as the Nc star design will.

http://www.ultimak.com/BuyMini.htm

https://www.brownells.com/optics-mo...es/rifle-bases/mini-14-scout-rail-prod65.aspx

The Ncstar unit for comparison, it is a whole lot less expensive. Note the angled screws that I was talking about.

https://www.amazon.com/NcSTAR-Ruger-MINI14-Picatinny-Scope/dp/B01BO37QNU

stay safe.
 
Just installing a Tech sight rear sight on my Mini 14, improved the accuracy over the jiggly factory rear sight. I like peeps, so was an easy choice for me.
 
Just installing a Tech sight rear sight on my Mini 14, improved the accuracy over the jiggly factory rear sight. I like peeps, so was an easy choice for me.

I agree with you about the Tech Sight aperture sight on the Mini-14. I find it very accurate out to 100yds and my eye is right on it when I shoulder the carbine.
 
well, I kind of know more about optics when I started this thread. thinking a 1-4 or 1-6 LPVO. knowing that - is there an advantage to staying with the stock high rings that came with the rifle, or should I get my hands on some medium height rings. is there an advantage either way?
 
Lower rings will get you a little better cheek weld typically. It'll help with quickly lining up the scope, provided there enough clearance to fit the scope in the lower rings.
 
I ran Nikon 1-4x20 (1" tube) in leupold low rings and it felt fantastic, BUT i had to remove the rear sight to get clearance for the ocular bell. The high rings cleared no problem.
 
I’ve used the factory rings to hold a Leupold Vx ii 3-9x40 for the last 10 years or so. Never had an issue with them, it sits in the Jeep or pickup and has dropped many a coyote from 75 to 250 yards. No rails, aftermarket junk or anything, just the rings designed for it. 2 screws to remove the mounts, open sights are still there. Plop it back on, 2 shots to check zero, and you’re good to go.
 
I was looking at this again and figured I'd get something that maybe I'll switch off to a .22 at some point if I upgrade, so - kind of thinking a more economic optic, but the only 1-4x with a 1" tube I'm finding is Leopold. Not a crazy price, but I'd rather pay Vortex half as much, but 30mm is what I see on their sight. I guess I could get another set of rings, but then I'd need two sets of rings, if I ever switch it off to the rimfire. Who else makes a decent 1-4? basic duplex recticle is my preference, but variations on that work, with a 1" tube, or should I switch to 30mm?

The old 2.5x Busnell I pulled of my Dad's 30-06 seemed to mount well, and the cheek weld and view through the scope seems correct to me. It is just a 10/22, but I did add the recoil pad, more as a stock extension, but it seems to all fit and hold well enough.
 
The best thing I’ve found for my Mini30. Super low mount for the MRO. Perfect eye alignment when I shoulder the rifle. Really happy with this set up C4D426F5-8508-475E-9E75-8EB380505BC9.jpeg
 
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