[Persue/Destroy]

I have a quick question. I have a 580 with a Butler Creek stainless folder stock. I am looking for a decent sight such as a reflex or red dot that will give me a fairly quick sight picture and use the Ruger factory rings if possible. I do not however want to spend more than the gun is worth on a sight.
I had a cheap Center Point (Wal*Mart) red/green dot scope on top of a NC Star sight rail. The scope is okay, it's the P.O.S. NC Star rail that was the weak link. I use my Mini for crashing through brush after hogs. This is almost like a CQC situation. I'd like some feedback on what has or is working for others. Right now I'm back to the stock iron sights. My 51 year old eyes take a little longer to focus than they did years ago!
Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[headedtotexas]

I'm in the same boat eyes and irons-wise. The Mini 14 is pretty tough on optics, rails and just about anything else hanging on the gun. Have you been following the Scope Killer thread?

My solution has been to overcome the iron sight problem and learn to shoot accurately with them. It's a work in progress. In time I expect to mount a red dot or long eye relief scope on the Ultimak rail my Mini wears.

 

[Pet-Rock]

Ultradot has tube type reflex sights that are 30mm.

I dont have one, but have heard nothing but positive things about them.

It seems like everyone that is into competitive bullseye shooting (pistols) goes for ultradot.

They have to be doing something right!

 

[DocNugent]

. . . I am looking for a decent sight such as a reflex or red dot . . . . My 51 year old eyes take a little longer to focus than they did years ago! . . .

Most of us old farts need magnification; most red dots don't offer any (they're "1x").

I've never used a red dot, so this is an honest question: Without magnification, how do red dot optics compensate for old eyes?

 

[KingANuthin]

Most of us old farts need magnification; most red dots don't offer any (they're "1x").

I've never used a red dot, so this is an honest question: Without magnification, how do red dot optics compensate for old eyes?

A red dot works exactly the opposite of iron sights or scope crosshairs. You focus on the target, and the dot will automatically become clear.
The dot is actually a projection into your eye, not something you focus on like the front iron sight or hairs.
If you have a astigmatism, red dots might be hard to use. You will not see a perfect dot.
Try one first. They are hit or miss depending on your eyes.

You have to remember to focus on the target.. It takes a little to get use to, but once you do, you understand what the big deal is.

Also. They make 2x and 3x multipliers for red dots. Vortex sends a 2x with theirs but they are not the best..
I've seen some put a flip mount on them, and they can simply flip the magnifier in and out in front of their red dot... Preety cool

 

[eudyta63]

Go to the GGG site and check out the GGG rail and the Burris Fastfire III red dot.I like the looks of it and the size.I think it would be good for the fast and close shots.It is a 3 MOA dot and should work fine out to 100 yards.I think that is what the Mini's are for anyway.

 

[Persue/Destroy]

Thanks for the feedback guys. Like King stated, it does take some getting used to. I've yet to get used to it ! I removed the red dot last night and I will try my luck again with iron for a while.
I did look up the GG&G combo with the Burris. This looks like a good set up if only the rail will lock down and stay down. I think I'll wait till someone else has had experience with it. I couldn't find any reviews, so it may take some time before someone is brave enough to report yay or nay !

 

[glenwatkins]

I think some on here have this setup. They might be along.

 

[40nascar]

Aimpoint 9000SC

 

[Magog]

Aimpoint 9000SC

+1. this is the best dot for the mini. cost 390... But you will save 1000's in battery cost.

Ultimak rail... cost 149 bucks.

 

[Cserv]

I run a Vortex Strikefire on my 580 ranch, hunting hogs and in tactical carbine class. For $179 it has adjustable intensity red/green dot, auto shut off after 6hrs, and if I remember right, a couple thousand hour battery life. Plus Vortex has a rep for good cust. svc. In my opinion a good choice if on a tight budget.
Eric

 

[headedtotexas]

The Strikefire looks cool. How does the 2x doubler work? And isn't the single ring mount an accuracy problem?

 

[Pacific_division]

Ill third the Aimpoint 9000SC.

 

[headedtotexas]

The 9000 looks cool too. What makes it so much better than the Vortex Strikefire (or cost so much more anyway)? For that matter, what makes them both that much better than a $99 Bushnell TRS-25? I'm guessing it's optical clarity, red dot size and robustness of the electronics and mechanism, but I'd like to hear some first hand experience.

 

[ctyankee]

Thanks for the feedback guys. Like King stated, it does take some getting used to. I've yet to get used to it ! I removed the red dot last night and I will try my luck again with iron for a while.
I did look up the GG&G combo with the Burris. This looks like a good set up if only the rail will lock down and stay down. I think I'll wait till someone else has had experience with it. I couldn't find any reviews, so it may take some time before someone is brave enough to report yay or nay !

I had a Burris FastFire II with a GG&G mount on my Mini-14. Yes it's a nice looking set up BUT I found it difficult to find the red dot. The dot is small and your line of sight has to be right on in order have the dot in your field of vision. Also, with even blue loctite it didn't like to stay in place. I guess it's fine for casual plinking for but for fast target acquisition I wouldn't recommend it. I ended up putting my FastFire on a .22 revolver for slow fire target shooting. So Nay for the FF on the Mini...IMHO.

By the way I've been through all the optics options for my Mini over the years and I too finally settled on iron sights as the best solution... along with multi-focal contact lenses.

...also I replaced the Mini's factory front sight with a Mo-reaper muzzle break / hooded front sight combo. Their front sight post is far superior to the factory sight for fast target acquisition.

 

[bluzman]

@ctyankee: I've been looking at the Mo-Reaper for my new 581 series Ranch Rifle. Did you install it yourself and, if yes, what's the degree of difficulty for DIY?

 

[ctyankee]

Bluzman,

I installed the Mo-Reaper on my own. It was a bit of pain to do. A Torx bit aided in removing the Ruger flash hider. Inserting the tiny drift pin to secure the Mo-Reaper proved challenging for me. It's doable if you're patient.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

 

[bluzman]

Bluzman,

I installed the Mo-Reaper on my own. It was a bit of pain to do. A Torx bit aided in removing the Ruger flash hider. Inserting the tiny drift pin to secure the Mo-Reaper proved challenging for me. It's doable if you're patient.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

Thanks for the insight.

 

[Cserv]

The doubler I still haven't used, because I guess I'm too simple to figure it out and I have no real need for it. The mount is solid and I haven't noticed any effect on accuracy. Rounds stack at 50 group well at 100 and let me bust clays at 200. This handles anything I have my mini for.