Scope for Ruger Mini -14

[Fire in the Hole]

I bought a Barska scope for my Mini-14. I was inexpensive, so... It attaches to the left side of the rifle, not the top. I've dicked with thing for a year now and I can't get it to maintain anywhere to zero. Last week my new chronograph arrived in the mail. Oh joy. I set it up 8 ft. in front of the muzzle, on a lead sled. I aimed it high on purpose. First and only shot put the bullet right smack dab into the center of the chrony. Blew it up. I called the Chrony manufacturer today. They said to just mail it back, and they'd replace or repair fo $45.00. I did that today.

Two things:
I was getting ready to throw this POS Barska in the trash. If anybody wants a toy, you can have it for free. PM me, and pay the shipping costs, and it's yours.

Now can somebody recommend a good inexpensive scope, and ring set up for my Ruger Mini-14?

[bombadillo]

bushnell banner dawn and dusk 1.5-4.5x32 Here. I used it on a mini awhile back and it worked out really well actually. You could go with a 3-9 if you feel the need for more power, but I liked it for around 75 smackers.

[five.five-six]

I have a banner on my .300WM all weather, it kicks like a mosin and the banner has held 0 for years

[radio2]

I have a Nikon Buckmaster on my mini 14, I used the ruger factoty rings to mount it.

[bwiese]

Ruger Mini14 + Barska scope: when you really need to make sure the barn door is missed.

[mif_slim]

You cant zero it in because its a mini-14. I've had 2 in the past and seen at least 5 that couldnt hit 16" paper targets at 100 yards.

[bombadillo]

You cant zero it in because its a mini-14. I've had 2 in the past and seen at least 5 that couldnt hit 16" paper targets at 100 yards.

Oh come on, they're not that bad. I've never seen one that couldn't shoot 6" groups or better with the right nut job behind the gun at 100 yards.

[caoboy]

I have a banner on my .300WM all weather, it kicks like a mosin and the banner has held 0 for years

That's what I like to hear. I picked up a Banner used here on CG, 6-18x50mm, for 90 shipped.

Maybe I'll put it on my Arisaka sporter and see if it'll still hold zero! LOL

[professionalcoyotehunter]

Dont laugh but I have a simmons on mine and it has held 0 for over 1 year and it has never let me down.

[mif_slim]

Oh come on, they're not that bad. I've never seen one that couldn't shoot 6" groups or better with the right nut job behind the gun at 100 yards.

Alright, their not that bad, 14".

[SkiDevil]

Ruger Mini-14 Accuracy

You cant zero it in because its a mini-14. I've had 2 in the past and seen at least 5 that couldnt hit 16" paper targets at 100 yards.

I have a Ruger Mini-14 Stainless 181 series which is accurate. At 50 yards with Remington UMC 55gr Green box and Black Hills (Blue Box) 55 gr FMJ it will group well under 1/2" groups. On a few occasions it has even fired 3 rounds it one ragged hole.

It has a Leupold Var. II scope mounted in the factory rings.

I have previously owned 2 other Minis and they were good shooters as well. One thing that I have noticed after shooting many Mini-14s and Mini-30s is that the stainless steel barreled rifles seem to always be more accurate. There is a lot of variation in the Ruger Minis series, but with the recent upgrades and improvements it is an even better gun.

SkiDevil

To the Author of thread: I would agree with the other member and suggest the Bushnell for a quality scope without spending a great deal of money. I paid around $300 many years ago for my Leupold 3X9 and it has been a very reliable scope. I generally shoot at 100-200 yards (steel plates) with mine it and it works quite well. But if you consider spending more, then for around $120-200 you could buy a Nikon Pro-Staff scope. It is the entry model for the company but still a well made optic. I have purchased 2 so far and the quality of the glass is very comparable to the Leupold. The last one I bought was from SWFA and it was a fixed 4X32 model. I paid about $130 shipped and it is a well made scope for the money.

P.S. If you really want to use a scope when shooting the Mini-14 the best way is to use a Ranch model. It is a much more solid and reliable way to mount an magnified optic on this rifle. Otherwise, check-out Millet and B-Square for mounting options for the standard (fixed rear sight) Mini-14 model.

[mif_slim]

^ Thats the thing, my ruger could shoot great at 50 yards but at 100 yards it becomes crap. Im not saying all Mini's are bad, just the 5 that I saw and the two that I own. I have heard of guys who swears by it and to each their own. I did hear that alot of the new mini's were improved so Im sure it did. I owned them back in the days so I cant say about the new ones.

[Superbri]

First off as others have mentioned you need a decent quality scope/rings and mount. You don't need a Leupold but a mid line Bushnell or Burris will do. The stock barrels are horrible on those. If you are serious about making a mini group change out the barrel, I know several people group 1" or better with re-barreled mini's a good trigger job and quality ammo. To help on the cheap get a flash suppresor/muzzle break on the stock barrel, it changes the barrel harmonics for the better. My stock mini went from avg. 5" groups at 100 yds. to 2-3" groups at 100 yds. using quality ammo and a muzzle break. Stock they won't group better than that unfortunately.

[maxicon]

There's also a lot of info on do-it-yourself Mini 14 stabilizer struts over at perfectunion.com. That's one of the easiest and cheapest ways to manage barrel harmonics and whip.

Remember that inexpensive ammo, like XM193, is only spec'ed for 3 MOA or so even out of the finest barrels, so if you're not shooting competitively, you'll be fine.

Unfortunately, mounting options are limited for non ranch Minis. For traditional scopes, there are mounts that replace the rear sights, and the side plate mounts like the B-square (which tends to wander, in my experience).

These pages have some options for non-ranch Minis:

http://www.gunaccessories.com/militaryscopemounts/Ruger/index.asp

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=12461/Product/NO_DRILL__NO_TAP_SCOPE_MOUNT

http://www.accuracysystemsinc.com/mi...cessories.html (includes a drill and tap mount)


I've found the scout mounts, like Ultimak (my favorite) and Amega, are great for stability, good looks, and handling, but they limit you to red dots and scout scopes (mostly 4x and lower, and trickier to use for some people).

[m98]

The side mounted mini's will have trouble with holding zero IMO. I would say just shoot with the open sights or get another one of the newer mini ranches that has the top reciever mounts. That way the scope mounted would be more solid. For the cheapest best scope I would say simmons aetec series. For a bit more quaility and a little more $$$ bushnell elite 3200 series. And for the mounts, pick something with weaver or picitinny mounts and allen/torx head screws. Flat head screw driver type screws sucks...i.e. the sst rings that comes free with the mini ranch models=