Red dot/mounting options for a Mini-14 Ranch

[natedog]

I've decided that I want to put a red dot on my Mini-14. I don't have enough money to spring for an ACOG or AIMPOINT but I would like to stay way from low brands like BSA. Also, I have the 1" rings for my rifle, so I imagine I would need a rail of somesorts. While an Ultimak would be great, I don't really have the $ for one.

 

[DMK]

I had a Millet red dot on my FAL for a while and now have it on my SAR-1 AK. It's a great little unit and was only about $100. I really like the adjustable dot size. If it can handle the recoil of .308, I'm sure it will work fine on a Mini-14.

I also have a cheap $25 BSA on my Marlin 9mm Camp Carbine. No problems with it either.

All you'd need is to get a Weaver rail on your rifle. All the red dot units I've seen come with their own rings (of course, verify that at time of purchase). They usually need bigger than 1" rings. A 1" tube is really too small for a red dot (although you can get one with such a small tube). Mine are somewhere around 30mm.

 

[Onslaught]

I did a quick Google search on "Mini-14 Scout Mount" and came up with a few.

Here's what appears to be a rip-off uh, I mean improvement on the Ultimak design... I have no idea of it's quality, but it's $50 cheaper than the Ultimak.

Check out these guys for a couple different scope mounting options for the mini in the $70ish range as well.

Here's their scout mount:

 

[Grayrock]

I've got a red dot mounted on my Mini-14. I have the Weaver sight mount that replaces the rear sight. I had the B-Square mount that goes in the side plate on the left. I thought it was a piece of junk. The Weaver is much better and didn't break the bank. The scope is a Simmons. It is less than an inch in diameter, but I think it works fine. With the magnification power of 1X, I sighted it in at 50 yards- mainly cause I couldn't see the dang target at 100 yards with no magnification. Ideally, I wish I had the Ranch Rifle as it has built in scope mounts, but my set up is satisfactory. If I remember, I'll try to get a pic, but it's late and my camera is in my car and the alarm is on and my wife is sleeping, so...

 

[SodaPop]

Hurry up! I want to see it!

 

[Kestryll]

This place has the lower scout mount, the one that bolts to the gas block, for 50 bucks. http://www.andean-inc.com/Merchant2...=RPSCOUT14B&Category_Code=mini1430scopemounts

I have one with a red dot scope mounted to it, one day I'll make it to the range, the mount is very solid but it only has the 2 slots for the rings. I couldn't get the rings close enough together to fit the mount so I used a dremel to widen one of the slots on the mount.

At this point I am reconsidering the Mini-14 scout concept as I am looking to build my Mosin M44 into a scout rifle anyways.

 

[MiniZ]

You have a few options:

There are red dots that are 1", that will allow you to use your existing rings.

There are 30MM rings available from Ruger.

Brownells(among others I beleive) have a Weaver base that attaches to the ring cuts in your receiver, allowing you to use any of the Weaver base red dots, including the Eo tech, holosite, etc.

 

[Grayrock]

Here 'tis.

 

[Grayrock]

And a 2nd, closer view-

OOps

 

[Grayrock]

.

 

[Sven]

Are the Ruger built in mounts (this is on the Ranch model) proprietary?

 

[BerettaNut92]

Any luck with the ACOG/Mini-14?

 

[Andrew Wyatt]

I just need to get off my arse and build the mount.

 

[Duke of Lawnchair]

I just need to get off my arse and build the mount.

Well!!!

Then whatcha waitin' fer?!

j/k

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

Jim

 

[BerettaNut92]

Tee hee hee

 

[Nero Steptoe]

"Tee hee hee"????? JHC! Get that guy a shot of testosterone!

 

[natedog]

Are you finally going to go Mini-14, Skunk?

 

[dave3006]

I have the Ultimak scout mount with the Comp ML2. All I can say is that it is awesome. The mount makes the gun more accurate by adding stiffness to the barrell.

 

[sitkablacktail]

I have the Pro Point on my Mini-14 and I'm happy with it, stay away from the BSA I went that route and it only made it a week before it fogged up. For the ranch model I'm not sure if the distance between the rings is short enough for the pro point, I have the AimPoint side mount on mine and with a gallon of Loctite on every screw hasent moved yet. The scout mount looks like it would be cool but I just can get myself to make that sort of jump, since I use my Mini-14 to shoot otters and make a little money selling thier pelts switching it over could cost me big bucks if it did not work out.