Recommend A Scope For A Mini-14?

the spank

the spank

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So I have a mini-14 with an aimpoint pro sight on it. I really like the compact lightweight setup and the fast acquisition but without magnification its not a great setup for coyotes beyond 100-125 yards unless you have a good rest. I have shot gophers with it out to 200 with a solid rest and it works quite well all things considered. Now I will be the first to say this is not about pinpoint accuracy as it's a mini-14 so no need to go down the road of change rifles! Just looking for an optic to put on this rifle to give me a bit of magnification so I can take shots with a better likelihood of hitting my target out to 200 yards. I have an older Bushnell Scooechief IV in 1.5-4.5x20mm, what do you think of going that route? I like the compact size and the glass on those old Scopechiefs is nice and clear. I also have a Scopechief VI in a fixed 4x32mm with bdc and a 2-8x32mm. What say you?
 
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Scope of choice for my Mini-14 -

https://www.optics-trade.eu/ca/schmidt-bender-1-8x24-exos.html

But settled on a Bushnell Banner 1.5-4x20mm for about 2% of the price of the S&B Exos. :p

Works fine for my purposes.

30393089764_d9f0778a4f_b.jpg
 
the spank said:
... I have an older Bushnell Scooechief IV in 1.5-4.5x20mm, what do you think of going that route? I like the compact size and the glass on those old Scopechiefs is nice and clear. I also have a Scopechief VI in a fixed 4x32mm with bdc and a 2-8x32mm. What say you?
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I say you have three scopes there that are worth trying to see if you like one of them enough, and if you don't it's likely that from those trials you'll have a better idea of what you want.
 
I'm not sure how much effort/money you want to put into this, but I would suggest a scout scope mounted on a forward rail that replaces the handguard. I have a Mini and a DA Socom M14S set up that way, and the mount itself seems to stiffen up the barrel the same way that one of the barrel-mounted struts does. I discovered by accident that it tightened up the groups on my M14S, and then when I experimented with the Mini I found that it made a slight but noticeable difference there as well. It also lets you mount the scope nice and low, whereas a receiver-mounted optic has to be high enough the clear the rear sight.

Of the three you mentioned I'd go with the lower-power variable. The Mini will make a terrific coyote gun out to 250 or 300 yards.
 
jjohnwm said:
I'm not sure how much effort/money you want to put into this, but I would suggest a scout scope mounted on a forward rail that replaces the handguard. I have a Mini and a DA Socom M14S set up that way, and the mount itself seems to stiffen up the barrel the same way that one of the barrel-mounted struts does. I discovered by accident that it tightened up the groups on my M14S, and then when I experimented with the Mini I found that it made a slight but noticeable difference there as well. It also lets you mount the scope nice and low, whereas a receiver-mounted optic has to be high enough the clear the rear sight.

Of the three you mentioned I'd go with the lower-power variable. The Mini will make a terrific coyote gun out to 250 or 300 yards.
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Sounds like an interesting set up, would you have any pictures? As for mounting low I was going to remove the rear sight and place the scope on the receiver mounted picatinny rail the aimpoint is mounted on.
 
Here's a pic of the Socom:

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I've changed the scope to a Leupold since this was taken; similar configuration, but more compact scope. I'll snap one of the Mini tonight or tomorrow and post it here as well.
 
Here's my Mini equipped with a Burris scout scope; currently my most-used coyote rifle.

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If you are a scout-rifle fan, this is the best set-up imaginable for the Mini. No other scope mounting method places the scope as low on these rifles as a forward mount like this one. This is an AmegaRanges mount; the one on the Socom is an Ultimak.
 
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I find the Scout rifle set-up to be well-suited for hunting in timber. Target acquisition at close range is quick and easy. Here's my 358 Winchester BLR Scout rifle :cool: -

31815454915_9f9e03ab52_b.jpg

358 Win. Browning BLR with Leupold 2.5x20mm Scout scope
 
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the spank said:
So I have a mini-14 with an aimpoint pro sight on it. I really like the compact lightweight setup and the fast acquisition but without magnification its not a great setup for coyotes beyond 100-125 yards unless you have a good rest. I have shot gophers with it out to 200 with a solid rest and it works quite well all things considered. Now I will be the first to say this is not about pinpoint accuracy as it's a mini-14 so no need to go down the road of change rifles! Just looking for an optic to put on this rifle to give me a bit of magnification so I can take shots with a better likelihood of hitting my target out to 200 yards. I have an older Bushnell Scooechief IV in 1.5-4.5x20mm, what do you think of going that route? I like the compact size and the glass on those old Scopechiefs is nice and clear. I also have a Scopechief VI in a fixed 4x32mm with bdc and a 2-8x32mm. What say you?
Click to expand...

Coyotes are pretty safe beyond that range with a Mini 14 regardless of optics. I'd say you're good. ;)
 
The gun shown does 1.25MOA with many factory loads, and will do 1MOA with select handloads (although I never bother handloading for it anymore). I've taken numerous yotes at 250-275 yards with it; that's about as far as I'll go with it, considering the small size of a yote's vital zone. It doesn't compare to a good bolt gun; the trigger, although smoothed and polished, can't hold a candle to a decent bolt rifle trigger.

But, wow...this is a fun coyote rifle! :cool:
 
I just picked up a mini 14 ranch rifle via EE and plan. to mount my Vortex Diamondback 4-12 on it. If that proves to be too much I have an old but good Tasco 3-9 that isn't being used
 
freddyfour said:
I just picked up a Leopold Mark AR 1.5-4 for my mini. Seems like it will be a good option but I am finding that the scope sits pretty high and I have to rest my chin on the stock.
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As you can see my Aimpoint sits down fairly low but I still had to raise my cheek slightly if I want the red dot to be centred in the sight(not that it needs to be, just my preference) so I added an adjustable vinyl pad comb system to my stock. The kit gives me up to 1/2" of extra height in 1/16" increments with the supplied foam pad inserts. These were popular with trap shooters years ago before adjustable comb stocks came in to being. I would have an adjustable comb kit installed in the stock if it were possible but the plastic stock won't work with adjustable comb hardware.

 
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