Scope mounting on 185 mini-14

[FenceChargerIII]

Not long ago I bought a 185 series mini14 that came with a rail mount & replacement bolt stop cover. Also had a scope on it. Trouble is, I cannot screw the rail in place firm enough to prevent serious scope movement. Consequent groupings of 3- 4 inches at fifty yards result(and I can easily shoot sub 1 inch groups with open sights at that range). Any suggestions for solid scope mounting?

 

[mtrmn]

Look closely at this mount to see if it has set screws on the front/rear to remove slack when it is installed. They should bear against the top of the receiver-not hard, just take up any slack and eliminate movement of the mount. I assume you are talking about the B-Square-style mount that has a large thumbscrew that screws into a special cover on the bolt stop?

 

[FenceChargerIII]

I don't think there is a set screw..is that standard with the mount you described?(which is the one I have,yes)

 

[mtrmn]

On my OLD B-Square mount, there were 2 small set screws through the top that would bear against the top of the receiver to insure the mount returned to the exact same position each time it was removed/replaced. One was at the rear of the top surface of the mount, the other was at the front. They could also serve as a rough elevation adjustment by backing one off and tightening the other.
The "accuracy" of MY mini14 was so poor that scoping it was just a disappointment. I did much better meeting reasonable expectations with just a red dot like the Burris Fastfire. The best group I EVER shot with it was 1 1/2" at 50 yds, with reloads I'd worked up for years trying to find something reasonably accurate. If you can shoot sub 1 inchers with irons, then your mini doesn't suffer the same problems mine did. Lots of people have told me the newer ones are much better in the accuracy dept.

 

[FenceChargerIII]

Mine doesn't have set screws, just the big knob that screws into the bolt stop cover. Too bad the 185 minis don't have integral scope mounts...
My most consistently accurate load is with 52gr A-max bullets on top of 21.0 grains of IMR 4198: group averages were just under 1 inch at 50yds.

 

[BG54]

Accuracy Systems just released a rail for the older series Minis. The rear sight must be removed and the receiver needs to be tapped. This is welcome news for my 186 series. I will be ordering one soon.

 

[sansone]

the only way to get good results on a scoped mini-14 of that vintage is drill & tap

 

[ID-shooting]

There are mounts the replace the rear sight that do not require drill and tap. It uses a set screw to push the rear of the mount to the top of the reciever just above the chamber. Will post link when I get home. Thing to remember though, mini's are not tack drivers, not going to get bolt gun accuracy from them. That said, mine will also be wearing an accu-brace in the very near future.

 

[jem375]

There are mounts the replace the rear sight that do not require drill and tap. It uses a set screw to push the rear of the mount to the top of the reciever just above the chamber. Will post link when I get home. Thing to remember though, mini's are not tack drivers, not going to get bolt gun accuracy from them. That said, mine will also be wearing an accu-brace in the very near future.

This, I have a 180 series mini and I just took off the rear sight for the mount..

 

[ID-shooting]

http://www.brownells.com/optics-mou...series-no-rings-sku794001014-12461-29488.aspx