[antisocial]

Was wondering what the recommended scope would be for a mini-14 . Not looking for brand but type, power, etc. Before you ask "what do you want to do with it" just want to set it up as intended as a military type rifle.
Thanks
Scopeless in Seattle

 

[csapor]

I have no problems with my 3-9X40 simmons riflescope.
Costed me 40 bucks and does its job perfectly well.

If you have a deep wallet, there are endless options..............

 

[Mughi-14]

I switch between a Weaver V3 (1-3X) and a Leupold red dot.

Both let me leave both eyes open without getting a massive headache.

 

[dvdstdg]

I had a Simmons and it wouldn't shoot to the same point twice. In fact when I tired to adjust it the point of impact often wouldn't change until 6-8 clicks then it would junp two to four inches. It also changed POI when the power setting was changed. I bought a Bushnel Trophy with a mil-dot recticle for less than $100.00 and it holds its POI, doesn't change impact when the power setting is changed, and has nice clear optics.

Scopes are like everything else, buy cheap, get cheap.

 

[gunsmithlee]

Not as much the scope as the mounts am I going to comment about. Doesn't matter what kind of scope u get, if u don't have decent mounts then its not going to hold zero. For a mini-14, don't bother getting one of those cheap side mounts. Get a solid leupold or similar mount that has to be drilled and tapped into the reciever to guarantee that it won't move.

 

[voruzon]

If you are concerned with CQB - close quarters battle, get no-magnification or 1.25x red-dot kind of a device. Or better yet practice to shoot without sights. 1/2 inch will not make a big difference while taking time to look through even the optimal sight certainly does.

Otherwise get a fixed-power 2x or 4x scope with widest field of view you can find. At the effective range of a Mini - 250 yards - you do not need large magnification and you certainly do not want to forget the setting you have on the scope or even deal with extra complexity/unreliability of a variable power.

Besides, 4x power * 5mm pupil size = 20 mm objective. You do not need anything bigger, which goes a long way towards portability important in a battle rifle.

Certainly make sure you can use the iron sights alongside the scope or be able to take scope off in a few seconds.

I intend to try this one: www.cabelas.com IC-711043 $69.99 - Mini-14 Scope with Mount
Anyone have experience with it?

People here also used B-Square (www.midwayusa.com #272065 $49.87 Silver, #329123 $44.54 Blue) with good results.

Voruzon

 

[antisocial]

Thanks for all the replies. Great info
Mark

 

[dvdstdg]

Originally posted by gunsmithlee
Not as much the scope as the mounts am I going to comment about. Doesn't matter what kind of scope u get, if u don't have decent mounts then its not going to hold zero. For a mini-14, don't bother getting one of those cheap side mounts. Get a solid leupold or similar mount that has to be drilled and tapped into the reciever to guarantee that it won't move.

Have a Ranch with the factory Ruger rings. The scope isn't moving - well I believe the cheap-assed Simmons was moving all over the place inside the tube.

 

[voruzon]

Have a Ranch with the factory Ruger rings.

There are drawbacks to the use of a Ranch as a military rifle.

The Ranch iron sights stink and are likely to fall off and the available replacement iron sigts are not streamlined and can catch on things/clothing which is not good for a combat rifle.

The eject is to the side rather than up/forward and more violent than ranch. My friend, who was a paratrooper in IDF got a spent case bounce off the stone and into his right eye (he is a lefty) hard enough that he was disqualified from combat duty.

There are apparently bolt wear issues with ranch model - see thread here.

Ruger rings are not see-through which precludes using the open sights - though see-through Ruger-compatible rings of questionable quality are available.

Just things to consider. Many people a very happy with their Ranches.

Voruzin

 

[PSG1]

www.valdada.com Check military 223/308 optics.

 

[dvdstdg]

http://www.sightron.com/scopes_s2_mil.html

I have a Sightron 416X42 MDST on my 308 and it is an outstanding piece of gear. I have never used a Leupold but I have used several Weavers and the Sightron is superior to any of the Weavers - and the price is right. They come with a lifetime warranty and the Sightron people are definitely customer centric.

 

[cajungeo]

Originally posted by antisocial
Was wondering what the recommended scope would be for a mini-14 . Not looking for brand but type, power, etc. Before you ask "what do you want to do with it" just want to set it up as intended as a military type rifle.
Thanks
Scopeless in Seattle

If I were using my mini for military use, and I couldn't trade it for a M-14 or M-1, I'd tune it (already done). In combat you can't always choose your range, so I would be prepared for point blank to 300 yds. Scope 3-9x38mm, 1/4" Moa click tactical Knobs, AO, milldot with iluminated center dot only (not entire cross hair). Iron sights set for back up only. Scope must be compact, shock proof, waterproof, fog proof, with repeatable trac. Would mount on the scope: Pathfinder (calibrated for my ammo), top mounted fiberoptic sights for heads up, eyes open pointblank sighting, and butler creek polorized flip up caps. Pull my muzzle brake, and install a flashhider. Stock, and scope in cammo. You didn't say anything about price, so if my life is on the line I spare no expense.
http://www.allisontool.com/pathimg.html

 

[harles]

I have a Weaver Marksman 3-9 I picked up at a gunshow cheap. Never seen a clearer scope. I use it on the low end of the magnification most of the time. (Better mention that I have the Ranch Rifle)

 

[bushwack]

antisocial---Pardon my blasphemy but if you want your Mini set up like a military weapon trash the idea of a scope. I have been in the bush & believe me if a piece of gear can breakdown it will do so at the most critical moment. Scopes are cool if you picture yourself as a lone sniper out killing targets at a half mile or more. Most engagements occure within 200 yards & with a half decent weapon you can do this with iron sights. Hell at my age & half blind I can do it just not as accurately or as fast as I once could. The thing is when the fighting gets in real close that scope will just get in the way. If you simply have to have a scope buy a good 4X & save you money for more ammo to practice with. All this Rambo crap makes my "Roids" hurt! Just go out & have a good time with your rifle.

Good shooting
Bushwack

 

[Mughi-14]

Antisocial,

Gotta admit that Bushwack is right on the scope breakdown possibility. I keep a few quarters tucked in the sling and mag pouch velcro closures so that I can tear off the rings from my RR.

On a standard Mini, get a good mount that you can remove quickly if need be or one that lets you use the iron sights.

A fixed 4X would be great. I'm a low-power fan personally (easier for me to transition from spotting to aiming). Whatever you get, take care of it - Butler Creek caps at least if not one of those foam scope covers. Durability is less of an issue with fixed power scopes, but lenses still scratch easily.

I'd like to hear what you got (if you haven't gotten anything yet) for the rifle.

Mughi-14

 

[antisocial]

I have just your basic blue mini-14 (non Ranch) 183 series
I bought this type mount:
http://www.reliablehost.com/bsquare/14502.html
I would have preffered a ss model with fiberglass stock but the price seemed right.
A friend at work sold it to me with 6 30 RD mags, 2 20, original 5 RD, 650 rounds PMP ammo, and reloading dies all for 400.00 and he was maticulous so it is like new he just had the jones for a mini 30.
anyway back to the scope....
So much knowledge on this board hard to take it all in.
Not to say every ones reply has not been quite helpful but
MR. Bushwacks advice seems to speak from experience. It just seems to me every time I see pic of Special forces Troops They all be packin' scopes.
http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2001/trade.cen...rces.11.18.html
I guess a high mount, low power, compact reddot scope so a person can use iron sights for close work would not be a plan.....
Thanks to all
Mark

 

[voruzon]

antisocial: It just seems to me every time I see pic of Special forces Troops They all be packin' scopes.

I see. You are opperating under a huge misapprehension here.

Special troops do use scopes and special sights - night, day, etc. and other nifty stuff. Things you see on pictures may not even be scopes but optical combat sights anyway.
But special troops are very different from regular troops and are good - or rather optimally - set-up for only certain kinds of operations and very poorly for others.*

The kind of combat that you most likely have in mind is not going to be the same kind of operation SF are conducting. And even if it were, you have no chance to succeed in it unless you have a natural aptitude, a lot of time to be traing regularly (full-time, really), training environment, professional instructors. And of course you have to be pretty young.

If you believe what I've just said - and I do have some experience in military matters, you may feel disappointed but it's not really a big loss. If you ever have to fight and try to emulate SF methods, it's likely to get you killed real fast.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Plainly, the SF are not really intended for combat as most people perceive it - trading fire with the enemy, attacking, holding ground, even a serious ambush.
Against regular troops in regular operations they plain suck. They were never intended for regular operations. Their purpose is reconnaisance/sabotage/assasination. Get in, do your job, get out - and if there are no shots fired, all the better. When they do shoot, they eliminate few targets from far or close but are not supposed to stick around.

It's not an accident that they are often armed with 10.5 inch barrel CAR-15 rifles which are effective up to 15 yards (after which the projectile fails to fragment) - as was demonstrated in Somali.
Once you pin SF down, there are simple way for regular troops with intact command structure to deal with them. Regular troops have nice things like mashineguns, even .50 cals that shoot through cover, mortars, artillery support, etc.
Where SF are great is sneaking in and killing a command center of an enemy detachment or even just laser-illuminating it to make job easier for regular military.

That is of course just an opinion.
Voruzon

 

[GGUN]

I have a Mini 14 Ranch model with a Bushnell
Banner 3-9X50 that works great. The scope is
real clear and is holding up with no problems
concerning POI or anything else. It cost $89.95.
I have taken the scope on and off of the rifle
using the Ruger rings; and I am not seeing any
change in POI after reinstalling the scope. This
is a great feature because the scope goes back
in the same position every time without the need
for scope readjustments.
As far as combat/military use, scope use is for
snipers. Having been in combat in Vietnam, iron
sights work just fine. I could see how maybe a
RedDot might work; but even at my age and eye
sight now I would stick with iron sights for
normal combat usage.

 

[bubba052698]

I am a fan of red dot "scopes", the non-magnify type. It enables you to aim with both eyes open, and the one I use (not sure of the brand, it is borrowed off my friend's calico), does not interfere with your periferal (sp?) vision. I like iron sights, but there is a delay to get the front blade lined up. With red dots, you just shoot where the dot is.

 

[Lensman]

I put a Burris 2.75 Scout scope on a front mounted scout type rail configuration. The rifle was recently tuned by Chief AJ at the White Barn workshop, along with adding their proprietary muzzle break/compensator. I routinely group 1 1/4" at 100 yards with plain old Winchestor or S&B 55 grain FMJ. I haven't bedded it, but are considering. Although it shoots so well now, I'm a little reluctant to fix it if it ain't broke. Out of the box it was grouping between 3 and 4" at best at 100 yards. I must say I'm pretty impressed with the work the Chief did at White Bran, and would recommend him to anyone. very reasonable too -- $125 for everything, including hand lapping, 3.5 lb trigger job, gas port mod, etc. The long eye relief on the Burris scout scope makes hitting moving targets a lot easier. I hit a running jack rabbit last week at around 75 yards with the first shot. I love my mini!