If I had the money, it would be a leupold VX-II in 1-4x ($300 or so). I'll probably end up with the Weaver Classic V-Series Scope 1-3x ($150). seems to be most of the performance for half the price.

If I won the lotto however, I would probably buy the Schmidt & Bender Police Marksman 2 Short Dot Rifle Scope 1.1-4x. Seems like just about the perfect scope for the mini. However, I could never bring myself to spend $2700 on a scope otherwise.

I hear a lot of interest in the millett DMS. But at 18 oz and 12 inches, it is a lot of scope. The leupolds and the weaver in a similar config (1-3x or 1-4x) are 9 oz and 9 inches (or a touch less)

If you can't guess, I am leaning toward a scope you can shoot on 1x with both eyes open, for the close in stuff, and still be able to have reasonable magnification to reach out to 100-200 yards. Where I live in CT, you would almost NEVER have a shot beyond 200 yards. You're always either in the woods or in a suburban/urban environment with limited line of sight

 

Yes, but I was kinda hoping to hear about established proven scopes people lean towards for the Mini.

 

I got a Tasco 3-9 x 40 scope from Wally World last year. I've shot about 1000 rounds of 5.56 through my original Min, 200 rounds of 5.56 through my newer Mini, and it's still working great. I'm putting it on my new 6.8 SPC AR for testing. I'll let you know how it goes when I take it to the range tomorrow.

Jim

 

I have a Bushnell Banner 4x on my Mini 14, and its killed more hogs than psuedorabies, out to 300yds. Dont get many shots past that distance around my area. I recently put an older Redfield 1.75x7 on my Mini 30, and so far its doing really well.

Cam

 

Leupold VX-III in 2-7 on my 6.8. I'd like to get a good 4-14X (for distance testing only), since my last five shot 50yd group was .75 with two touching.

 

I have Burris FF II 2-7x . It does help my tired eyes to see the target clearly from 85yd and beyond also reasonable quick acquisition vs scopes of higher power.

I did plan to buy the Millet DMS, but came across this Burris at a price I could not resist.

 

I have Burris FF II 2-7x . It does help my tired eyes to see the target clearly from 85yd and beyond also reasonable quick acquisition vs scopes of higher power...

ditto

 

It wasn't obvious at first but now it is becoming so. There is no one or two scopes that have become popular favorites with Mini 14 owners.

 

You may have concluded a tad too fast, somehow I think there are plenty more Leupold & Nikon on this board.

 

>>There is no one or two scopes that have become popular favorites with Mini 14 owners.<<

Yup, it's pretty much whatever "floats your boat".

 

More like "this survived my Mini" :lol:

Jim

 

I have a Leupold Rifleman 3x9x40, it doesn't jump around like a cheap scope will.

 

I hear that! 2nd

 

Centerpoint Quick Aim Red Dot 1 X 34...Works great, and am able to hit targets easily at over 100 to 200 yards...Only $50 @ Walmart.

 

How did you mount it? What is the best mount available to add a rail? My ranch came with 1 inch rings, but there aren't too many 1 inch red dot options. I would like to get a red dot about the size of an M68 if possible.

Thanks in advance for any advice

 

Leupold 2.5x28mm IER ...

...mounted on an Ultimak Scout Rail. Strong enough for a Mini-14, low profile, excellent at 100+ yards, permits shooting with both eyes open, and costs about $225-250.

Have fun!

 

Burris 4x

 

How are you using the rifle? Target, hunting, SHTF?
Given the fact that the Mini has good accuracy and not great accuracy I would be more inclined to go with a rugged scope vs a expensive target scope.

 

when you combine:

You may have concluded a tad too fast, somehow I think there are plenty more Leupold & Nikon on this board.

with:

Given the fact that the Mini has good accuracy and not great accuracy I would be more inclined to go with a rugged scope vs a expensive target scope.

and:

excellent at 100+ yards, permits shooting with both eyes open

I think my nomination of the leupold VX II in a 1-4X begins to make sense. It meets all of those requirements. Can shoot with both eyes open at 1X, is reportedly almost as fast (some say as fast or faster) than a red dot at target acquisition, has more than enough magnification for anything out to 200-300 yards, is undoubtedly rugged (it is a Leupold after all).

 

I am also interested in opinions on this topic. I recall someone saying that the Weaver Classic K-Series fixed power 4x38 would make an ideal scope for a Mini-14. I am considering getting one myself, so I was hoping to see some favorable comments here on the Weaver.

Does anyone have any experience with the Weaver K's? They offer a lifetime warranty in case something goes wrong.

 

If they are making them like they were 50 or 60 years ago you can't go wrong for what they cost. As a matter of fact you couldn't go wrong at triple the cost. I was thrilled to see they are making them again. My father has been using them for over 60 years and STILL has some that work flawlessly.

They were one of the best hunting scopes ever designed. I'm thinking of getting one to replace the decades old K-6 I have on an old 300 H&H magnum for when the one that is on there gives up the ghost due to old age and also one for the mini.

I've got a K-6 that's probably 50 years old on a 300 H&H magnum and it works just fine. They look great on older classic hunting rifles. They are small in diameter and would fit a mini quite well.

 

I had a Simmons Mag 22 3x9 32 on my Ruger 10/22. It's the most popular scope for the 10/22 and its a great little scope....for a 22 but I built up my 22 for a BO gun and exchanged the little Simmons for the Nikon 4x ProStaff. Now I'm thinking I will put the simmons back on the 10/22 and put the Nikon on the Mini-14. Both are exceptional values for what they are.

 

I have a Bushnell Trophy 3X9X40 mounted on my mini 14 Target works great!

 

Nikon Buckmaster 3-9X silver on my stainless. If I polished the rifle out a little it would match pretty nice.

I haven't and it doesn't.

It's held up so far though, and it's a nice scope for under $200. I can see holes in the target at 100 yards as long as they're not in the black (and they rarely are with my Mini). :lol:

 

These aren't the most popular from what i've seen but i put on a Mueller 3x9 Sport dot. Very clear and has held up quite well. No problems whatsoever .Lifetime warranty and don't have to mess with shipping it out if something goes wrong, my guy at the shop told me to just bring it in and he'll exchange it. For $150 i'm pleased. Thought about going with a fixed but my eyesight is horrible at longer ranges.

 

I put a 25mm (1 inch) Millet red dot on the forward mount with the factory ring and so far it works great. http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tNumber=459296

I was thinking of doing something similar. I was going to put a millet red dot on a scout mount with qd rings, and use the weaver 1-3x (or possibly the leupy vxII 1-4) in qd rings, so I could swap back and forth at a moments notice without having to rezero either glass. The millet will be on the gun most of the time, but the weaver would be for range work or deer hunting trips.

 

The Millet I put on is small (1" by 5")and I'm using just the forward mount post with one factory ring. Actually, it's an idea I got from someone on this forum and I like the look and functionality of it. Part of the reason I did this was because it leaves the chamber/ejection area clear and it's easier to wiggle the bolt out when I disassemble and clean the action.

I haven't used my Mini for hunting but the confidence I have so far in the Millet set-up I would have no problem using it for whitetail deer or coyotes at 100 yds or less. For smaller varmints or out past 100 yds the scope option would probably work better. I'm heading to the range this weekend and I'm going to see how the Millet does at 200 yds and maybe 300 yds just for grins. I just had another birthday so my aging eyes might not do the rifle justice. I'll report back with my results good or bad.

 

Nikon prostaff 3x9 works great for me. Nikon seems to be the best glass for < 200, with the exception of used high end stuff. But honestly, the mini, for the most part, is not an moa rifle. Putting anything 300+ on it would be a waste. Save it for the bolt action.

My 2c.

 

I like the Nikon Buckmaster 3x9....gives good groups and no problems.

 

Another vote for Nikon. . Bought a Prostaff after my M30 destroyed 2 cheaper scopes. The Nikon has held up well.

 

My Choice



Well, for me personally, it is the new Vortex StrikeFire red dot. No BS warranty, $149.99 (delivered) from Optics Planet. For the Mini-14, order it with the lower "hunting mount" scope ring to get a nice co-witness with the Mini's front sight.... I originally ordered the higher AR-15 scope ring but found it too high for my liking. One phone call to customer service fixed that - I had the other scope ring in 3 days. Choice of red or green dot, variable intensity, rock solid construction. And it's easy on these tired, old eyes