Scoping a 180-182 series Ruger Mini-14

Airborn_69

Airborn_69

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As the title says, we are talking about scoping the older (1980's or so) model Mini-14's without the integrated mounts on the reciever. They come std with a horrible rear sight, a huge peephole that wiggles :)

I know S&K, Weaver & possibly ATI makes a slide-on style rail and of course there's the horrendously ugly side mounts avaialble as well.

Which is the better, more solid and most low profile ones outhere?

Thanks.

p.s. any tips on make them more accurate as well would be a bonus.. :adult:

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My boss in the gun shop I worked in when your rifle was new always said the receivers are harder than a socialist's heart. They eat carbide drills for lunch.
UltiMAK, Stateside, makes a clamp on 'scout' style mount. $139US and will bugger the balance worse than a receiver mounted scope though. Not so much with an Aimpoint or the like. Haven't a clue if they're easily found or available at all, here. http://ultimak.com/M4.htm
"...make them more accurate..." The light, whippy, barrel and crappy trigger is mostly what causes the poor accuracy. A trigger job and reloading will help.
 
One thing to be aware of in scoping older model mini14 are that they are quite hard on the scopes, in fact when Ruger introduced the Ranch rifles with the integral scope mounts they changed the recoil spring to add a buffer for this very reason. I had an older Mini and mounted a Leupold scout scope using the Ultimak scout scope mount which worked for me quite well.
 
I drilled and tapped a Mini for a Leupold bridge mount. Scope went on solid. Good system. Drilling and tapping was an absolute pig. Would not attempt another.
The clamp-on mounts, either side or top, do not have a good reputation from the standpoint of stability and holding zero.
I really think that anyone wanting a scoped Mini should just get a Ranch Rifle.
 
tiriaq said:
I drilled and tapped a Mini for a Leupold bridge mount. Scope went on solid. Good system. Drilling and tapping was an absolute pig. Would not attempt another.
The clamp-on mounts, either side or top, do not have a good reputation from the standpoint of stability and holding zero.
I really think that anyone wanting a scoped Mini should just get a Ranch Rifle.
Click to expand...

D&T is likely not the best option, can someone recommend a Natl match style peep sight then, because the standard rear sight royally blows...
 
Current thoughts on scoping older-style Mini-14

P and D made the following comment about scoping an older Mini-14:

"We find the best scope mount to be the newer Weaver part #48332 Tactical multi slot base that attaches to the side (replacing the flat cover),a few left at $55.00."

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?p=4735838#post4735838

Has anyone had experience with this kind of mounting? How has it worked out?

Also, most posts agree that a Mini-14 of this vintage isn't a tack driver. What's an appropriately sized (and priced!) scope? I've got an older Bushnell Scopechief currently on a 77/22 that I could always relocate....
 
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mini scope mount

I have a 183 with the see through high mount and am woorking on loads for it and so far so good ,I can hit the bottom of a pop can at a hundred yards with a 3x12 sweet 17 on top.Hope to tighten it up a bit more with hand loads and the flash supressor I just put on it
 
Go to the PerfectUnion forum. They have a section devoted to Mini14's loaded with info. I used a few of their suggestions to improve my Mini back when I had the ranch model...some of the ideas are very easy and inexpensive, yet make a noticeable difference.
 
Got the s&k so far so good.PUT the muzzle brake flash suppressor even out the gas block and torque all4 srew the same tapco stock and polished the trigger mine has the 1-10 twist so i,m working up 50 52 55 grain bullets with imr 4895 got minite of ground hog head and am close to golf ball at a hundred
 
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