Mini-14 Ranch Scope Mounting Options

[BerettaNut92]

OK this Mini-14 Ranch thing, does it come with scope mounting hardware? And is it a Picatinny or Weaver? 1" or 30mm?

 

[Kaylee]

yes, and niether.

Rugers have proprietary mounts integral to the reciever, and Mini Ranch rifles are sold with rings to fit said mounts. I *believe* they're 1" rings, but I'm not certain.

-K

 

[Andrew Wyatt]

you can get picatinny rails that mount on the ruger slots if you want, as well.

 

[BerettaNut92]

So if I want to put a 30mm Aimpoint on it, I have to go aftermarket? What are my options and how expensive?

 

[agony]

Skunk,
Here's my Mini-14 Ranch with a Wiegand Combat Piccatiny rail...

It fits into the factory mounting slots, and tightens with hex screws. It is finished very attractively, and has proven quite solid and reliable. Yes, it's aluminum (or as the Brits say, 'aluminium). Cost was ~70 bucks. Nice and solid, unlike some of those crazy barrel-shield replacements or gas block replacements for 'scout' type mounting. Only downside is you cannot use the irons sights. And also, beware of the Mini-14 mounts that replace the side panel(By B-Square, and other companies)...they do not work on the Ranch rifle!

 

[BerettaNut92]

How are the Ultimaks?

 

[Andrew Wyatt]

they look like they'd be pretty solid, since they actively clamp to the barrel.

 

[amprecon]

Scope on a Mini? Well, I guess it'd be suitable if the scope didn't have crosshairs in it.

 

[Nero Steptoe]

30mm rings are available for Ruger Mini's from a number of sources, including Ruger.

 

[Onslaught]

Scope on a Mini? Well, I guess it'd be suitable if the scope didn't have crosshairs in it.

And how many have you owned before making that summation based on your own experience rather than repeating the same ole' BS you read online?

I will admit that I was quite surprised about a week ago to fire an out of the box Ruger Mini-14 ranch with the Wiegand Combat mount and a Burris scope that was under 2" at 100 yards! The other 2 that I have personal experience with were both under 3" at that distance.

Now the Mini-30 I used to have... Minute of Paper Plate at 100 yards... Literally!

 

[NewShooter78]

Info on Weigland rail here . Looks like a better option than the factory rings from Ruger. And its the same price.

 

[natedog]

Thanks for your excellent contribution, Amprecorn .

My Mini wears a Tasco (I know, I know...) Silver Antler 3x9. Usually I shoot the Mini with iron sites but I like the flexibility of using the scope when I want to. I can remove it and replace it without loss of zero. The Mini mount locks up tight. If I could afford it, I would probably get an Aimpoint and put it on an Ultimak rail and make the mini a sort of Cali friendly CQB carbine. My mini also has a Hogue Overmolded stock. A bedding job will come soon, in addition to smaller gas ports. Right now my Mini does 3" from the bench...the bedding is supposed to cut that in half. I have never, ever had one malfunction. It is a great rifle. Plus, mine looks semi "Tacticoo", with the stainless metal parts and black stock...as I said before, the Ultimak and Aimpoint would be awesome.

 

[Sactown]

i replaced my ruger factory mounts witht he weigand most. It's well made and hasn't moved.

 

[twoblink]

Skunky, you gonna get a Mini 14??

 

[Sven]

Skunk: cool!

I pick up my Mini-14 Stainless Ranch Rifle in 9 days... my plan is to eventually upgrade it and use it for varmint shooting. I've been reading a ton about Mini-14 accurizing over at Perfect Union Mini-14 Accurizing Forum -= check that place out, its 'the bomb' for that sort of information.

Plans will probably change as I learn more... but as of this moment, my plan would be to put a long bull barrel on there, add a muzzle brake, get it bedded in a new laminated wood or fiberglass stock, trigger job to 3.5 pounds and a nice Leopold high-magnification scope on top.

Folks are reporting 1-2 MOA on that forum with only $100-200 put into stock guns, others are going sub-MOA... of course, for a higher price.

Fun project to daydream about...

-s

 

[Sactown]

Here's mine. Notice the carbon fiber tipped barrel stabilizer.

Was going to send trigger to Mike Knifong for a trigger job, but other stuff came up.

 

[Sven]

Sac: more info - is it bedded?