Scope for my new Mini 14?

Howdy Again.

Let's be clear here, I am not interested in putting 5 shots in one hole at 100 yards. I'm not that good a shot anyway. I just want to have some fun at the range.

Minute of Soup Can is fine with me.

I was looking at my old 10-22 which has a 3-9X variable scope on it, and I think I am looking for something like that for my new mini, rather than the 3-6X I mentioned earlier.

I would not say price is no object, I am willing to pay for a good scope, but again, I don't need a super high price scope. Probably something around $300.

One question I have is the diameter of the of the objective lens. Looking at Midway USA most of the scopes have an objective lens diameter of 40mm.

Is that going to be too big for my mini using the Ruger rings that came with it?

Thanks again for any input.
 
I switched from a Trijicon Credo 1-4 in med Warne QD rings to a 1” tube Fire Dot 1.5-4 Leupold in Leupold 1” low rings & saved 11 or 12-ounces. Everything is better with the latter setup. The only con was the rear sight needed to be removed, but the improved cheek weld and lighter rifle was well worth worth it.
 
Driftwood Johnson said:
Howdy Again.

Let's be clear here, I am not interested in putting 5 shots in one hole at 100 yards. I'm not that good a shot anyway. I just want to have some fun at the range.

Minute of Soup Can is fine with me.

I was looking at my old 10-22 which has a 3-9X variable scope on it, and I think I am looking for something like that for my new mini, rather than the 3-6X I mentioned earlier.

I would not say price is no object, I am willing to pay for a good scope, but again, I don't need a super high price scope. Probably something around $300.

One question I have is the diameter of the of the objective lens. Looking at Midway USA most of the scopes have an objective lens diameter of 40mm.

Is that going to be too big for my mini using the Ruger rings that came with it?

Thanks again
Click to expand...
Yes

3x9 on the mini. 2x7 on the American
IMG_20231207_200504.jpg
 
CoalCrackerAl said:
It's a bummer how folks still put the Mini's down these days. The newer ones are much better shooting rifles. Mine runs right along with my AR'S.
Click to expand...

They should have made the good ones first, back when AR's were more expensive.

Now that the AR's are cheaper and more accurate, I can't think of a reason to even try a new one.

I think some good ones did get made though. My buddies Mini 14 shoots much better than my Ranch rifle, he just doesn't have a good way to mount an optic.
 
I always wanted one since the late 80's. We used one at the butcher shop on the kill floor. For the large cattle. When i had the money finally i got my 14. Then i got my 30 a couple years later. I like how Garand like they are.
 
jmorris said:
They should have made the good ones first, back when AR's were more expensive.

Now that the AR's are cheaper and more accurate, I can't think of a reason to even try a new one.

I think some good ones did get made though. My buddies Mini 14 shoots much better than my Ranch rifle, he just doesn't have a good way to mount an optic.
Click to expand...
It's a cult. I wouldn't be without one again. It's way easier for my wife to use than the AR.
Pull back and let it slam one in. Finger the safety forward. Farm use it's perfect. Home protection isn't target shooting and if it's not close up it's not personal defense. A scope isn't for home defense so your using open sights or bump alive red dot anyway. Open sights at 100 yds is 3 to 6 inches with this mini, my garands and my last AR I've kept.
3x9 was ugly. 2x7 is for testing ammo. Sig Romeo is mounted . I'm quite comfortable with 50 yd groups. I'm not GI Joe
 
I have an old Bushnell 4x on my Mini-30--had it sine 1992 or so.
Perfectly satisfactory for my skill level as a rifleman and the Mini's accuracy (which are roughly equivalent).

Just sold my stainless Mini-14; it had a 4x scope on it as well. Had that one since 2002.

I have owned probably 7-8 ARs over the last 40 years, and almost as many Minis.

Again, owing to my lack of proficiency as a rifleman, I have never been able to shoot any of them with any great degree of precision (6" at 200 yards, call it 3 MOA)--they are just fun shooters to me. And I am okay with that. Maybe once I retire, I will have time and inclination to work on that....

I do prefer the aesthetics and the handling characteristics of the Mini to the AR--just my personal preference.

Enjoy your Mini.
 
jmorris said:
I can't think of a reason to even try a new one.
Click to expand...
It's a tax you pay for not packing Mattel. And as a bonus, you're not expected to chant "MOA" every time someone mentions a perceived alternative to an AR.

As far as scopes are concerned, I've found Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40 to be a good match. For a while I thought about transferring the Zeiss 1.8-5.5x38 from Ruger Deerfield to the Mini but it was a too perfect combination to break up. For a dedicated range rifle I might even consider higher magnification but that's just a matter of preference.
 
Show Me said:
It's a cult. I wouldn't be without one again. It's way easier for my wife to use than the AR.
Pull back and let it slam one in. Finger the safety forward. Farm use it's perfect. Home protection isn't target shooting and if it's not close up it's not personal defense. A scope isn't for home defense so your using open sights or bump alive red dot anyway. Open sights at 100 yds is 3 to 6 inches with this mini, my garands and my last AR I've kept.
3x9 was ugly. 2x7 is for testing ammo. Sig Romeo is mounted . I'm quite comfortable with 50 yd groups. I'm not GI Joe
Click to expand...

Hmmmmm... joining a cult...

The other thing not mentioned often enough, is the Mini is a lot trimmer through the action and grip than an AR. Not a big deal for something that sits in the safe or the corner of the closet, kind of a big deal if you're carrying the thing anywhere. A 5-round magazine in a Mini shouldn't be any worse to carry afield than most bolt action sporters. Even with short magazines, my ARs have lots of "stick out" parts. (That's my other complaint with my pretty CZ527FS: the 5 round magazine sticks out right where the rifle balances.)

Needless to say, I don't understand the appeal of bolt action rifles that take AR or similar pattern magazines either, unless said rifle is in a chassis stock instead of a sporter stock.
 
I haven't owned one in a long time, but I like the Mini 14. Slick, handy rifle and the optic should not detract from that. My first impulse was the recommend a little 1-3x weaver, but good luck finding one.

Maybe a shameless plug, but I do have a Gen 1 Vortex PST 1-4x that I was gonna get rid of. They aren't available anymore and some people are asking astronomical prices for them on the used market. Its a nice little scope. Look it up and if you're interested, send me a message and we can work something out. Oh, I'm not going to be asking an astronomical price. Mine has been used, a LOT, and has paint on it. I've just moved on to 1-8x of similar weight and size.
 
With no plans involving more than 100 yards I wouldn't worry about having a scope that looks too big on a trim little Mini-14, and a maximum of 4 power is plenty for that distance. Omaha-BeenGlockin's (and others), suggestions hit home with me on those Leupold VX-Freedom 1.5-4x 20mm scopes. Nice physical size for a Mini-14, 1 inch straight tube, and ample but not excessive magnification. I put one on a handy little Henry single shot in .308 this past year and the scope and rifle seem to compliment one another. Without giving off that "something doesn't look right" vibe. IMG_0945.JPG .. IMG_1330.JPG ..Compact, straight tube scopes and light, trim rifles were made for each other.
 
Last edited:
I'd put a LVPO optic on it
Either a 1-6 or 1-8 .... Really like the Vortex LVPO optics. Have a Primary Arms on my Ruger American Ranch 300 bo that's nice as well.
 
I've became a fan of the Vortex LVPO optics ever since a few years ago when we got the hunting times extended 30 minutes before and after sunrise & sunset. Put a 1-8x Vortex on the 30-30 woods gun to take advantage of low light opportunities with its illuminated reticle. Don't need 8x on that gun in the woods; it's usually on 3x. It previously wore a 1-4x Leupold with a 1 inch straight tube and I still prefer the appearance of that gun with the smaller 1" Leupold vs. the 30mm tubed Vortex.... Here's the Leupold: IMG_3206.JPG .. vs. the Vortex: IMG_2560.JPG ..The Vortex was sitting here not being used and the goal was to see crosshairs well in low light so gun appearance took a back seat to useful function. Getting back to our original topic; I'm still in favor of smaller, lighter, straight tube scopes on smaller long guns like the OP's mini-14. Friend of mine once commented that he doesn't like seeing what he calls the "Hubble Space Telescope" sitting atop smaller rifles. He has a way with words and refers to them as being "Overscoped".
 
22250Rem said:
I've became a fan of the Vortex LVPO optics ever since a few years ago when we got the hunting times extended 30 minutes before and after sunrise & sunset.
Click to expand...
I've been a fan of low power optics for decades. In low light situations the objective diameter really matters, light transmission and resolution are proportional to the surface area (given the same quality of glass and coatings) and I've been veering towards 40-44mm scopes with magnification starting at two or less. Daylight +/- half an hour is obviously different from what's the deal around here, no set times of day, and midnight treestand shots in moonlight, but still.

IME, 1.5-8 or so with an illuminated dot is close to ideal for 99% of hunting and when that falls short, a top shelf european 50-56mm is just the ticket. I've been keeping an eye out for a good deal on a Schmidt & Bender Polar 96 3-12x54 for nighttime treestand duty but obviously that isn't a do-it-all scope and way overkill for a Mini. Then again, their Zenith 1.5-6x42 might not be but it's way out of OP's "modestly priced" specification.
 
jmorris said:
Now that the AR's are cheaper and more accurate, I can't think of a reason to even try a new one
Click to expand...
Objectively i agree with that statement 100%

In practice my personal opinion is 100% opposite simply because i like the way the mini handles, and i really dont like the AR, or AR shaped rifles.




But yes "cult", or perhaps collective insanity, is a pretty good explanation 😁
 
Show Me said:
...Home protection isn't target shooting and if it's not close up it's not personal defense. A scope isn't for home defense so your using open sights or bump alive red dot anyway....
Click to expand...
If they're in range of my rifle, how is it that I'm not in danger of being hit by theirs?

LPVO scopes go to "1X" -- good for most of the same things open sights and red dots are.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

J
  • Locked
Opinions on Mini-14 Optics
2
Replies
37
Views
5K
johnnydollar
J
F
  • Locked
Ruger Optics and Rails
Replies
3
Views
287
film495
F
F
  • Locked
Scout Scopes and Scout Scope Mounts
2
Replies
25
Views
1K
Varminterror
Varminterror
TBL004
  • Locked
Scope for S&W M&P 15
Replies
19
Views
624
TBL004
TBL004
I
  • Locked
Never owned a scope, literally: age 66. Brand-new PTR-91 (has rail).
Replies
8
Views
475
illinoisburt
illinoisburt
Back
Top