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Mini-14 Scope

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hossie_semi View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
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    Posted: April/16/2010 at 23:20

Just bought a Ruger Mini-14 and am looking for a good quality 3-9x40 scope. This rifle will be used primarily for plinking and varmit hunting. Trying to keep my budget under $300. What is the best bang for the buck.

 
I'm looking at the Nikon Prostaff, Leupold VX-I and Burris Fullfield II. Without looking through the glass, I'm torn. Any suggestions. I'm not limited to any of the above mentioned and I am all ears to what folks have and what folks love.
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neilbilly View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote neilbilly Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/16/2010 at 23:59

Welcome


I have one of these on my mini 30 and like it a lot. It's on sale now for $120 

http://swfa.com/Burris-3-9x32-Timberline-Rifle-Scope-P11002.aspx


If you feel like you need a bigger field of view this scope is really a good value and has a bigger field of vision at 3x than most others.


http://swfa.com/Vortex-3-9x40-Diamondback-Rifle-Scope-P10823.aspx


And this one is a great value on a very good scope that has rainguard. "and you get free goodies"


http://swfa.com/Bushnell-3-9x40-Elite-4200-Rifle-Scope-P6910.aspx


Any of the above should make you happy. Others will likely chime in here in a bit. The Burris is a steal at $120 and the 4200 is a great deal at $255  I have a couple of Vortex scopes and like them a lot. "enough that I have 2 more ordered waiting for them to be delivered once back order is filled"



If God didn't want me to play with it, he'd of made my arms shorter.
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sholling View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote sholling Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/17/2010 at 11:10
I really hate scoping Minis. I've done it in the past but I don't usually recommend it. The reason is that Minis just aren't all that accurate. Don't get me wrong I love both of mine but Minis just aren't built for accuracy. The older models were good for roughly 3-4" groups at 100yds for the first 3 rounds, opening to 4-6" as the barrel heats up. Mid 2009 and later production have a slightly thicker barrel and are a bit better. That's not a knock on Minis because they were built to be super reliable coyote killers, home defense carbines, and plinkers - not target rifles. And Bill Ruger figured that keeping 5 shots in a chest sized target was good enough for the purpose.

If you still want to scope it then normally I'd say stick with a great bang for the buck scope like Weaver's Classic V9 3-9x38. Or even the lower powered V3 1-3x20. However the price on that Bushnell Elite 4200 is awfully tempting. Big Grin


Edited by sholling - April/17/2010 at 11:23
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neilbilly View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote neilbilly Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/17/2010 at 13:59

Very true on the mini's accuracy. I haven't shot the new and improved variety, but have 2 older mini's. You don't have to spend a wagon load of money to see what you're not hitting. Wink Unless you are trying to ear hole said varmit, you can still take them with ease even with the older mini's. The mini's are superb at doing what they are designed to do.

I suggested the Burris first because it is a smaller scope at an outstanding value. The eye relief is really good on it and with see through mounts you'd have the best of both worlds. 


I had a bigger scope on my mini-30 and switched to the Burris. If I had some extra cash I'd order another for my mini-14. "it's got a tasco red dot right now with no magnification" 

If God didn't want me to play with it, he'd of made my arms shorter.
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onfinal View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote onfinal Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/17/2010 at 19:45
I have a Mueller Tac II 3-10x44 on my 580 series Mini-14 Ranch (new and improved variety with tapered barrel) and am very happy with it. I started out with a Leupold VX-1, but it was not up to par. The Mueller is a big step up in quality for not that much more in price.

Although it's no 1000 yard sniper rifle, I don't buy into the theory that because it's a Mini it doesn't deserve a decent scope because it's not going to be accurate anyway. I get 3-4" groups at 220 yards (longest range I have available), but do have to let it cool down between shots on warm days.
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Longhunter View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Longhunter Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/18/2010 at 22:51
My Mini-14 Ranch Rifle (synthetic stock - bought in the late '90s) shoots 1 3/4 and 2 5/8 3-shot groups respectively at 100 yards with the two factory loads it likes best.   This with a 1.5-5x32 Weaver Grand Slam scope.    I did have a trigger job done on it.   I also have one of the new models, but haven't checked it out yet at the range.
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