Scopes

[slonezp]

Mini 14

Scope or Red Dot?

Why? Why not?

I'm leaning towards a scope.

[AlabamaSpothunter]

It all depends on what you're looking to do with the Mini 14?

 

Hunting?   If so at what ranges?

 

Home defense?  Red Dot

 

General purpose rifle?   Maybe something like a 1-6x

 

The Mini 14 isn't a very accurate rifle, so even if I put a magnified optic on it, I'd limit it to something with a max power of around 9 or 10x.

 

[GreenPig]

It depends on it's intended purpose. I've never shot a Mini 14 accurate enough to deserve a magnified scope. 

[gim]

I actually had to look up to see what a Mini 14 was.

[DaubsNU1]

1 hour ago, gimruis said:

I actually had to look up to see what a Mini 14 was.

 

I did as well. Interesting rifle. Price shocked me a little...

 

Then I wandered over to Benelli's site...back in 2001 I finally got a left handed shot-gun after many, many years. Think I paid $1,100 for it.

 

New SBE's are running $2,199. Ouch!

[gim]

@DaubsNU1 Benelli shotguns aren't cheap by any means.  I consider them to be the best shotguns that money can buy though.  I'll probably never use another brand the rest of my life.

[Rockhopper]

I like a scout optic on a mini 14

 

https://www.leupold.com/vx-freedom-15-4x28-ier-scout-duplex-riflescope?queryID=3e54eaffa987de5d19145aca571297e0&objectID=2962&indexName=magento2_production_default_products

 

Another great non scout option

 

https://vortexoptics.com/vortex-viper-pst-gen-2-1-6x24-riflescope+reticle-VMR-2~MRAD

 

[slonezp]

19 hours ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

It all depends on what you're looking to do with the Mini 14?

 

Hunting?   If so at what ranges?

 

Home defense?  Red Dot

 

General purpose rifle?   Maybe something like a 1-6x

 

The Mini 14 isn't a very accurate rifle, so even if I put a magnified optic on it, I'd limit it to something with a max power of around 9 or 10x.

 

Right now target and defense. 

10 hours ago, gimruis said:

I actually had to look up to see what a Mini 14 was.

 

8 hours ago, DaubsNU1 said:

 

I did as well. Interesting rifle. Price shocked me a little...

 

Then I wandered over to Benelli's site...back in 2001 I finally got a left handed shot-gun after many, many years. Think I paid $1,100 for it.

 

New SBE's are running $2,199. Ouch!

The Mini 14 is one of the few, if not only, semi auto rifles in the 223/556 platform that is not currently banned in IL.

 

@DaubsNU1 I've been looking for one for under a grand for some time now. I grabbed one from a 24hr online flash sale a local gun store chain had. $800 was a steal. Went back up to $1100 

[AlabamaSpothunter]

3 minutes ago, slonezp said:

Right now target and defense. 

Given that 99% of defensive firearm scenarios involve distances less than 100yds..specifically 3-7yds, I'd have a hard time using any kind of magnified optic that didn't include a 1x setting.   

 

I find target shooting at 100yds to be quite fun with a magnified optic, and as we get older it gets harder and harder to use 1x type sights at those distances with Irons or a red dot.    

 

So I think you'd be most happy with a dual usage type setup.  I'd recommend going with a 1-6x type optic.  You can run it like a 1x red dot for defensive purposes, but when you take it to the range or hunting you can dial up the power to 6x.  I don't own the below scope but PA has long been regarded as the best maker of budget friendly/reliable optics.  In your situation that's what I'd buy.   

 

Primary Arms SLx 1-6x24 SFP Rifle Scope Gen IV - Illuminated ACSS Nova 5.56/.308 Fiber Wire Reticle - Flat Dark Earth

[slonezp]

5 hours ago, Rockhopper said:

I like a scout optic on a mini 14

 

https://www.leupold.com/vx-freedom-15-4x28-ier-scout-duplex-riflescope?queryID=3e54eaffa987de5d19145aca571297e0&objectID=2962&indexName=magento2_production_default_products

 

Another great non scout option

 

https://vortexoptics.com/vortex-viper-pst-gen-2-1-6x24-riflescope+reticle-VMR-2~MRAD

 

I like the lifetime warranty. I've read the Mini's are tough on optics

5 minutes ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

Given that 99% of defensive firearm scenarios involve distances less than 100yds..specifically 3-7yds, I'd have a hard time using any kind of magnified optic that didn't include a 1x setting.   

 

I find target shooting at 100yds to be quite fun with a magnified optic, and as we get older it gets harder and harder to use 1x type sights at those distances with Irons or a red dot.    

 

So I think you'd be most happy with a dual usage type setup.  I'd recommend going with a 1-6x type optic.  You can run it like a 1x red dot for defensive purposes, but when you take it to the range or hunting you can dial up the power to 6x.  I don't own the below scope but PA has long been regarded as the best maker of budget friendly/reliable optics.  In your situation that's what I'd buy.   

 

Primary Arms SLx 1-6x24 SFP Rifle Scope Gen IV - Illuminated ACSS Nova 5.56/.308 Fiber Wire Reticle - Flat Dark Earth

I was looking at this one yesterday

https://www.primaryarms.com/primary-arms-slx-3x32mm-gen-iii-prism-scope-with-acss-556-cqb-m2-reticle

 

As far as using it for self defense, that will be for the zombie apocalypse not home defense. As far as target, 200 yards is max at the range

[AlabamaSpothunter]

1 hour ago, slonezp said:

I like the lifetime warranty. I've read the Mini's are tough on optics

I was looking at this one yesterday

https://www.primaryarms.com/primary-arms-slx-3x32mm-gen-iii-prism-scope-with-acss-556-cqb-m2-reticle

 

As far as using it for self defense, that will be for the zombie apocalypse not home defense. As far as target, 200 yards is max at the range

Have you used an ACOG before, if so and you liked it, then that would be a great option.   The word 'tactical' gets thrown around too much imo, but that's really as close to a 'tactical' optic as you can get.    I would liken that optic to a technique specific rod, whereas a variable powered optic is more of a 7' MH F that offers more versatility.  

 

A good shooting Mini 14 with factory M193 or M855 should group about 3-4MOA @ 100yds.   At 200yds you're looking to hit a target about 6-8MOA so anything powered more than about 6 is wasted given the rifle's potential.   3x should be plenty mag to hit that sized target at 200yds.    

 

The ACOG has been used by front line US military forces for decades now, so a fixed mid powered optic certainly has it merits, however I personally like either true RDS optics or a variable powered optic.    

 

All of those Primary Arms in house optics are great options and have been well vetted by customers for many years now.  

[clayton86]

I like the vortex strike eagle I’ve got 2 personally. Have a 1-6 on my 45-70 and the 1-8 ffp on one of my AR10s. 
 

I’ve had to deal with vortex warranty once on a cross fire I had on a bolt 308 I had. Broke an inner glass I emailed them they shipped a new one out to me no questions asked had it on the rifle in 3 days. Just had to ship the broken one back and they covered return shipping. 
 

I’ve got vortex optics on all my rifles but 1 and that 1 is only because vortex doesn’t make a thermal optic so I’ve got a pulsar I bounce between 3 set ups for coyotes and just change the zeroing profile. 

[slonezp]

Literally out of the box iron sights at 25 yards, pretty darn accurate. My eyes don't work well at much more than this.

[gim]

@clayton86 I think Vortex optics is based in Wisconsin somewhere.  I don't own any scopes by them, but I've got two pair of binoculars that I do not have any complaints about.

[12poundbass]

20 minutes ago, slonezp said:

Literally out of the box iron sights at 25 yards, pretty darn accurate. My eyes don't work well at much more than this.

Are you expecting a zombie apocalypse of little people? That target is pretty small. 

[slonezp]

1 minute ago, 12poundbass said:

Are you expecting a zombie apocalypse of little people? That target is pretty small. 

[AlabamaSpothunter]

You know I just got to thinking about this since you said you were considering a fixed 3x optic.  I would think a RDS with a 3x magnifier would be the best of both worlds for you.

 

Primary Arms SLx MD-25 G2 ACSS Red Dot with SLx 3x Magnifier & FTS Mount

 

[slonezp]

On 9/23/2024 at 5:55 PM, AlabamaSpothunter said:

Given that 99% of defensive firearm scenarios involve distances less than 100yds..specifically 3-7yds, I'd have a hard time using any kind of magnified optic that didn't include a 1x setting.   

 

I find target shooting at 100yds to be quite fun with a magnified optic, and as we get older it gets harder and harder to use 1x type sights at those distances with Irons or a red dot.    

 

So I think you'd be most happy with a dual usage type setup.  I'd recommend going with a 1-6x type optic.  You can run it like a 1x red dot for defensive purposes, but when you take it to the range or hunting you can dial up the power to 6x.  I don't own the below scope but PA has long been regarded as the best maker of budget friendly/reliable optics.  In your situation that's what I'd buy.   

 

Primary Arms SLx 1-6x24 SFP Rifle Scope Gen IV - Illuminated ACSS Nova 5.56/.308 Fiber Wire Reticle - Flat Dark Earth

Ordered this one after watching the videos on their site.

[AlabamaSpothunter]

4 hours ago, slonezp said:

Ordered this one after watching the videos on their site.

Awesome, look forward to hearing your thoughts on it!   

[Functional]

Came here to recommend my favorite 1-4x, Steiner P4xi with G1 reticle...only to learn its discontinued. Was a hell of a buy at sub $500.

 

The PA optic you got should serve you well, lot of guys around here run them. Vortex as well, they arent always the most reliable but their CS is top notch.

 

Red dot and magnifier was the only other option for your case but you may be limited on rail space I believe. LPVO is a great choice. 

[slonezp]

On 9/24/2024 at 10:31 PM, AlabamaSpothunter said:

Awesome, look forward to hearing your thoughts on it!   

I got the scope today. The rings that came with the rifle are for a 1" scope and this one is 30mm. I sent an email to Ruger about swapping them out. They allegedly will do this. Got a call into Primary Arms as well. If they have rings that will work with the Mini 14, I'll probably go with them.

[AlabamaSpothunter]

Dude, it's THE gun of A-Team back in the day 😎

 

Very iconic gun of my childhood.   

 

 

[slonezp]

2 minutes ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

Dude, it's THE gun of A-Team back in the day 😎

 

Very iconic gun of my childhood.   

 

 

50 round mag LOL. In IL comes with a 5 round mag. That's it. Any more and I'm a felon. 

[WRB]

Scope eliminate eye dominate issues, red dots don’t.

I am a fan of Leopold scopes better performance in low light with duplex optics.

Tom

[AlabamaSpothunter]

45 minutes ago, slonezp said:

50 round mag LOL. In IL comes with a 5 round mag. That's it. Any more and I'm a felon. 

Not to mention a folding stock and flash hider.   Easily one of the worst states to be a lawful 2A gun owner 😔