The Mini 14 is not a minigun by any means. The weapon was created by Ruger Arms. A well-established name in the world of firearms. While some may have confused Mini 14 for a sniper rifle, it’s not a sniper rifle by any means.
Rather it’s a semi-automatic rifle that can utilize long-range targets. While the use of this gun is vast, it’s mostly used as ranch, self-defense, and hunting weapons. After all, the gun packs a strong punch to knock out most hunting-game prey.
While the gun is great and all, it lacks one thing. The optical capability. Understandably so, Ruger doesn’t include any kind of optics with the weapon.
They hand you the task of finding the best scope for Mini 14. While I get that it can be a bit hard, but you have nothing to worry about. Without further ado, let’s start this.
How To Choose a Scope For Mini 14?
Now that you know about some of the best Mini 14 scopes and red dots, how do you choose the one that fits your bill? Well, you can handle it in a couple of different ways.
The first thing is your need.
- What kind of range do you shoot at?
- And what are your needs on a scope?
- Is it the light management system?
- The low-light performance?
- Or raw magnification?
- What is that which entices you the most?
Depending on that, you will either opt for a scope or a red dot.
As for which scope or red dot is the best for you, that will also depend on your context. In this regard, how much money are you willing to spend? Are you comfortable with it all out? Or just want to dip your toes in the scene and have fun for now? You can have both if you wish to.
See, it’s not that hard when you sit for a moment and think twice before pulling the trigger. Hopefully, this was able to help you in the debate a bit.
1. Leupold VX-Freedom 1.5-4x20mm Riflescope
When it comes to a versatile scope, Leupold got your number. The VX series of scopes from Leupold is an inexpensive bunch of scopes that go on top of almost every rifle in existence.
The scope here is the VX-Freedom. Despite looking fragile, the scope packs a strong chassis that is shock, water, and fogproof. The aluminum built housing is purged with nitrogen to make it immune to all sorts of fogging.
The lenses of this optic are fully multi-coated. They are brilliant, to say the least. The multiple layers of coating improve the clarity of the glass and make it stronger and more resistant to scratches.
While the scope isn’t suited for night vision, it’s definitely suited for dawn to dusk shooting. Thanks to the Leupold Twilight light management system, you have a baller on your hands.
What kind of rings do I need for this optic?
You will require a pair of 1” rings that will fit on this scope and on your rifle. Anything from a reputable brand will land you with some good rings. Of course, depends on your budget.
Is the reticle illuminated?
Unfortunately, no. It’s not an illuminated reticle. But the Pig-Plex reticle on a multi-coated lens does look great.
What kind of warranty will I get with this scope?
The same kind of warranty you would get with higher end Leupold scopes. That’s right, the same lifetime warranty that Leupold is known for.
2. Primary Arms SLX GEN III 1-6×24 SFP Rifle Scope
When it comes to value and extra goodies Primary Arms is one step ahead of the competition. It’s a pain to find a perfectly fit sunshade and lens caps for a scope. Meanwhile, Primary Arms includes lens covers with their product.
The SLX main tube is 30mm thick and you won’t find any rings inside the package. You will need to buy a pair of rings on your own, more on that later. The scope is made out of durable aluminum. The housing is anodized with a matte black coating. It makes the scope look premium.
The lenses are fully multi-coated as well. They are clear and they have no deformities at all.
The clarity on maximum magnification is also flawless. As there is no chromatic aberration, you will not see any mirage of your targets either. Overall, it’s a good mid to long-range scope suited for weapons like Mini 14.
Which mounting rings should I buy for this?
You should look at the Hunter series from Vortex. They are inexpensive pairs of scope rings that are well suited for shooting.
Does this optic have any kind of warranty?
Yes, it does. The optic features a lifetime warranty from Primary Arms.
Will this be a good scope for hunting?
Yes, it will be. It’s an excellent choice for hunting if you are just getting started in the hunter’s journey.
3. UTG 2-7X44 11″ – 9.5″ Long Eye Relief 30mm Scout Scope
UTG is not a new name in the industry. They are part of Leaper. And I’m sure you have come across at least one Leaper product by now. UTG is more of a budget oriented branch of Leaper.
The Scout scope fancies an aluminum shell with anodized coating around it. With a set of uncapped turrets, the scope is quite good for hunting and tactical shooting. A great thing about the scope is the long-eye relief.
You will find an 11” to 9.5” length of eye relief. The scope is versatile. While the UTG markets as a hunting scope, you can use this for plinking as well. And we all know how good of a gun Mini 14 is in plinking.
Is the reticle illuminated?
Yes, it is. It also features a one-click illumination memory. It will automatically dial in the previously used brightness setting with one click.
Does this come with a pair of mounting rings?
Yes, it does. It comes with a pair of weaver/picatinny mounting rails with a twist lock mechanism and medium profile height.
Is the reticle etched on the glass?
Yes, the reticle is not drawn or a sticker. Rather, it’s etched on the glass. Glass etched reticle lasts longer than a drawn or sticker.
4. Bushnell Optics 1-4x24mm Drop Zone Reticle Riflescope
Bushnell scopes are not something that you take in super-long-range shooting ranges. But it’s something that you definitely rock in close to medium range shooting.
On top of that, the Bushnell optics are often targeted to newbie users and sport an easy-to-use and easy-to-understand interface.
The optic features an aluminum housing that protects the fully multi-coated lenses with ease. The lens features a Drop Zone Reticle designed to be sighted at 100 yards. The reticle is accurate up to 500 yards. Anything beyond that is a no-go.
While the maximum magnification is only 4x, there is no distortion present on the scope. The 4x magnification is a perfect choice for the Mini 14. The housing is fogproof, shockproof, and waterproof as well. It will serve you well for a long time to come.
Where is this scope made?
The scope is made in China. But Bushnell has operations in the USA where they take care of customer service.
Will this be usable with an AR-10?
Yes, it’s very usable. It can work nicely with a .308 Winchester even. The shockproof body stays true to its claim.
Is the reticle illuminated?
No, it’s not. The reticle is standard size and color with no illumination involved.
5. Vortex Optics Crossfire II 2-7×32 Rimfire SFP Riflescope
The last scope I want to recommend to you guys is from Vortex. The Crossfire II is a second iteration of the famous Crossfire hunting riflescope from Vortex. The scope is not made out of plastic or similar materials.
Instead, Vortex used the same sort of aluminum they use in other scope and magnifying products as well. The Crossfire 2 has a maximum magnification of 7x and it uses a 32mm objective lens to gather light throughout the entire day.
While the low-light performance of the scope is not the best on the market, it’s by no means bad. In fact, it’s better than some other scopes in a similar price bracket.
The scope features a fast-focus eyepiece with reticle focus. With a magnifying ring just around the corner, these two features come in super handy while hunting. Speaking of hunting, the V-Plex reticle is also another great feature of this scope. It’s really good for hunting.
Does the scope come with a mounting ring?
No, it does not. But Vortex makes some great mounting rings for their scopes. You can take a look at the Hunter series if you are on a budget.
Does Vortex offer any warranty with this scope?
Yes, they do. This one features an unconditional lifetime warranty as well. Doesn’t matter what year, Vortex got your back.
Is the reticle of this scope illuminated?
No, it’s not. The reticle is a standard V-Plex with 0 illumination involved.
Let’s just say you are not interested in the long-range aspect of this rifle. You just want something for your ranch shooting or you are using the 14 for self-defense. Then you would want to use a red dot instead of buying a riflescope. For those, I also bring some of the best Mini 14 red dot sights on the market.
1. Burris FastFire III Red Dot Sight
While the FastFire won’t increase the speed of your gun, the fast-focus illuminated reticle of this gun will definitely help you focus on your target faster. The FastFire 3 is available in 3 different configurations.
One of them being the 3 MOA red dot, the other 4, and lastly 8 MOA.
The fully multi-coated lens featuring the illuminated reticle is safely tucked inside an aluminum housing. The housing is shock, water, and fogproof simultaneously. Your lens or the reticle isn’t moving anywhere.
Is this a good red dot for hunting?
If you hunt squirrels, then yeah. Any small animal is huntable with the help of this sight. But if your eyes are on the deer, then this ain’t it chief.
Which reticle should I choose?
That’s up to you. If you prefer the bigger red dot, then by all means go for the 8 MOA. if you want less obstruction and more view, then go for the 3 MOA. For short-range shooting, I would recommend the 8 MOA.
2. Vortex Optics Strikefire II red dot sight
The trend of Vortex improving some aspects of their pre-existing scopes continues here as well. The Strikefire ii is an illuminated red dot sight with a green dot as well.
The sight also comes with covers that will protect both end lenses from dust and scratches when you are not using them.
Not only that, the sight also features a mounting system as well. The lenses on this optic are fully multi-coated. They are extremely bright and have no chromatic aberration or similar issues.
What kind of battery does this run on?
It runs on a single CR2 battery. You will find one inside the box and you will find a replacement for it on any hardware store.
What kind of warranty does this come with?
It comes with an unconditional warranty for a lifetime. The same warranty Vortex offers throughout their lineup of optics.
3. Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 Red Dot Sight Riflescope
The Trophy riflescope from Bushnell is quite popular for beginner’s hunting gear. The same goes for the Trophy TRS. It’s the red dot brother of the bigger riflescope and it still packs a punch strong like the big one.
The sight features a 3 MOA red dot reticle with 11 adjustable levels of brightness. Among that brightness, you can do a little bit of night hunting if you want to as well. But it’s not capable of doing complete night vision.
Can I use a magnifier with this optic?
Yes, you can. You can use the Aimpoint 3x magnifier with this easily. Or any other magnifier that has the same mounting height as this red dot. Or you could use some riser to make both the magnifier and the sight at the same height.
What is the use of this red dot?
The use is vast. For self-defense, ranch shooting, hunting, plinking, etc. Whatever you want to do with this optic, you are more than welcome to do so.
Conclusion
And there you have it folks. Whether you are a red dot firm believer or a scope purist, it’s up to you to decide on which route you want to go with. If you want a bit of range and variety in your shooting, then scope will do the trick.
But if you want absolute peak performance, then the red dot is your best bet. Depending on how much money you are willing to spend behind the optic, you can go for any from the list.
I assure you this much, they are some of the best scopes for Mini 14 if not the best right now. The market has a ton of offerings and some of them are more expensive. But not all of them make much sense with the Mini 14.
With that said, this is where you and I part ways for now. I hope you enjoyed this little journey of ours together. I will be back with more guides like this in the near future. Till then, take care and have fun.