Mini-14 and Redhead Red dot scope

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I have a Ruger Mini-14, which of course, is a .223 caliber. I use it for fun and general varmint control. Also, I have a Redhead brand red dot scope which I have recently taken off of my Ruger 10/22. I want to mount this red dot scope to my Mini-14 but was concerned if this scope could withstand the recoil of the .223 in this format. Opinions? Experience? Please....

Thanks
 
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The .223 is a very light-recoiling caliber, but the mini-14 can be rather hard on scopes due to the heavy bolt carrier/op rod impacting the receiver. Having said that, the Redhead optics are marketed as being suitable for shotgun use, and a shotgun with slugs can be a pretty hard kicking beast, so the optic is almost certainly OK for use on a mini.

The tricky part might be mounting it. A pre-580-series standard mini-14 isn't really set up for a scope, so if you have one of those, the easiest way may be to get an Ultimak forward rail (replaces the plastic or wood cover above the barrel):

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

though if you have a Ranch Rifle (or one of the newer mini's with built-in scope bases), you also have the option of getting a rail that works with your existing scope bases, and mounting the sight on that (assuming your optic uses a Weaver mount).

IMO, a red dot is a good match for the mini's capabilities.
 
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