I want to install an open optic on my Mini-30 mainly for quick target acquisition. I know the useable range is going to be shorter than the scope style, but distance over 100 yards is not important. I need to be able to keep something like a coyote or wild dog in the sights while on the run. I've looked at TruGlo, Sight Mark, Reflex and others. Any opinons on any particular brand to choose or avoid?
I like the appearance of those truglo optics but that is about all that I can say good about them if going on anything more powerful than a .22 LR. I have tried the same sight on AR 15's and AK 74 and it lasted all of about 5 rounds before it was off target and out of adjustment. I am sure someone somewhere has had good luck with this optic on a centerfire rifle but I would say that is the exception and not the rule. You really do get what you pay for when it comes to optics.
That looks like the model that has 4 different reticles. The ones that I have seen do not stay zeroed when switching between reticles. Your mileage may vary.
A Bushnell TRS-25, vortex sparc, or possibly a primary arms clone would be my choice for a low end optic. With that said you would probably be better off with an Eotech 512, Aimpoint Pro, or possibly a Trijicon reflex sight. What is the saying? "Buy once, cry once and be done with it."
I have the Truglo on my 10/22 for about 5 years and it's a great red dot for the money, but I'm not sure it will hold up under the Mini recoil. The reticle selection is excellent. It's on sale on Amazon for $43.
However, because of the concern about the recoil I put a Burris Fastfire III with a GG&G rail combo on my Mini 14 and it's held up extremely well and is very accurate. Great for fast acquisition. It's very compact and sits lower than the Truglo. I've had no ejection issues with the GG&G on the Ranch Rifle. This combo is specifically designed for the Mini Ranch Rifle and will set you back about $270. Mini-14 Scope Mount And FastFire III Red Dot Scope
Had one on my mini 30... Worked real well to 150 yards. Went with a long relief scope hoping for more accuracy at 200 hundred+ yards on a scount mount that is harder and bulkier to use. Thinking about switching back as it was very functional and easy to sight in. Recoil did not seem to be a problem although I see it as easy to break if you handle the rifle roughly. There are several versions of this sight by different manufacturers. I like the four reticles and red vs. green color options and six brightness levels. For the price a good choice.
I put a vortex tube red/green dot on mine with the 2x magnifier on a 30mm quick detach ring. The 2x helps with my piss poor eyesight and I can take the whole thing off in a couple seconds with a turn of the lever
That particular 'style' sight sucks. I don't care what brand it has printed on it, I swear the same Chinese dude licks the glass before he sticks it in the mount. I've had nothing but trouble with them when folks show up at the range, and in fact have been 'gifted' two of them as payment for my troubles. I figured it was better than them going in the trash, but I should've just let 'em go.
Maybe you'll get lucky, but my best piece of advise to anyone is to avoid that one like the plague on any type of gun, no matter the recoil.
Look at the TRS-25 from Bushnell for a cheap, small, lightweight red dot. They just flat out work and can take a beating. It's not necessarily open, but it ain't bad if you keep both eyes open.
I've got the SIghtMarks on my mini 14, Uzi and AK47 and never had a problem for the last couple of years. Yes they are cheap but so far, they are holding.
I've had a TruGlo on my mini off and on for awhile (right now it's on my Marlin model 60), but it's not the one you picture. I read in some review that the one you picture did not hold up well under recoil; it cracked after several days of use on an AR15, but the one I have did well on the AR during the same test. I also mounted it on my AR for awhile, co-witnessed with the irons. Probably fired at least 100 rounds through the AR with it mounted and haven't had a problem yet. This is the one I have.
I have an EOTech 512 on my AR. Its a fine optic that I very highly recommend. I have a $30 BSA on my 9mm carbine and it has held zero for several hundred rounds so far but I wish the dot was brighter. I just buy a new battery and install before I shoot it. Result!!!! You get what you pay for.
The TruGlo is a Chinese POS copy of the Japanese Hako Panorama sight which is fantastic. If I could find another one I'd buy it in a heartbeart (Hako, not the crap one).
The TruGlo is a Chinese POS copy of the Japanese Hako Panorama sight which is fantastic. If I could find another one I'd buy it in a heartbeart (Hako, not the crap one).
I need to be able to keep something like a coyote or wild dog in the sights while on the run.
Can I ask how you go about verifying that the running dog you're shooting at is "wild" rather than someone's pet or property? I'm a hunter, and last time I checked there's no "dog season"......
ANY dog gets on my property and threatens or molests my livestock is going to be put down. The law is on my side. People around here have their animals miscarrying, young animals killed, etc. because some city slicker who just bought his "mini-ranch" tax break lets his dogs run free....he gets ONE warning.
Are you as passionate about the killing of unborn children?
I have the TRS-25 on my AR, 10-22 and Mossberg 590A1. It has great illumination and holds true even with banging around and firing lots of rounds.
The test for me was the 590A1. It is a 9 shot 12 guage and I put 50 rounds of double OO buck through it and still held xero.
On the AR it xero'd with only two adjustments out of the box. Also allows co-witness using the iron sights.
Might be worth looking at. I paid $ 50.00 each at Palmetto State Armory.
Was a great buy at Xmas time.
I just put this Primary Arms Low Profile Tactical Red Dot Reflex Sight 5 MOA PARRS01 | eBay on one of my ARs. I love it. I can't even tell where the blemish is. I haven't fired many rounds yet, but so far it holds zero like nobody's business. You can keep rounds within minute of vital zone without even thinking about it.
I get the "buy once, cry once" philosophy, but at $50 if you have to throw it in the trash in six months and buy something more expensive you still won't be crying twice.
Most of the open reflex sights have too many cons to justify, with one exception, OKO sights which are NOT made in China but in Czech Republic. I've used them on a FAL which is definitely more powerful than a 10-22. It's still too exposed and vulnerable for action sports like 3-gun, for instance. If it's off a bench, I'm probably shooting more than 50 yds (It's really not effective out to 100 as some will claim, but that's just me.) so I would go with a 1-4 x 24 scope or better.
Primary Arms may be made in China, but I've got one on a FAL (to replace the OKO) and that's robust enough for 3-gun under 50 yds. I have enough OKOs, future buys will probably be PA.
And BTW, I have Aimpoints and Leupolds, too, but don't see spending more money for essentially the same optic effectiveness. I am not a snob.
If your going for an "open style" I would have to say either the PA or the Fastfire 3. They make a PA in 2moa and 5moa. Both seem to be very good for the money. If you decided you wanted to go "tube style" I would suggest the Holosun or Primary Arms. I've had 2 TRS-25's and they both stopped working on me. My PA micro and Holosuns work great all the time. I actually like the features of my Holosuns more then my Aimpoint. Happy searching, I know how hard it is to find the right optic with so many good choices out there.
You might should look for a sight that allows switching between red and green dots, as a red-dot might not stand out well on Golden Retrievers or Irish Setters. You probably want to stay with a 1 MOA dot as you might find the 3MOA dots blot out your smaller breeds like Yorkies and Chihuahuas out past 25 yards or so. I have a Vortex that I like pretty well- you can turn the dot down low enough it doesn't blur out your black labs at night.
Really though you probably don't need a red dot or a sight at all....because they're dogs.....you can just call them and they come to you.....you can just put the muzzle up to their happy panting heads.
Good luck to you. I'm going to go see if I can find my way home now what with my low-IQ non-pet-shooting mentality and all...
My issue with many red dots that are open, is that they have auto-brightness. They also get washed out to easily. I dont buy into closed red dots being a lower light optics. I am really picky. They better be bright enough to shoot on a sunny day or they are worthless.
In low light to darkness the Bushnell TRS-25 is very bright, and has to be turned down or its too much.
I have a sightmark Ultra shot. Specifically the Dual pro QD (meaning simply it also has a laser and a quick disconnect mount). It was around $125. The basic ones (optics same). Are like $80.
I have been very pleased with it. Both sight and laser hold zero, even after a mag dump or two. Laser will eat it's battery pretty quick, but the optics runs for a long time and is sufficiently bright for daytime use. Swapping recticles does alter Zero, which is pretty standard unless your dropping $500+ for it.
I also have a sightmark 4-16 scope. Not much time on that yet. But for $150, it has performed very well also so far.
I have Tasco Pro-point 30mm (metal tube). They are shotgun scopes and take recoil from 3.5" 12 ga magnums. My Mini is iron sights, but I use the Tascos on my AR and AK.
the size fits the mini well, and in my limited use.....it is a quality optic.
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