Optics for the MIni 14 Ranch (Model 5848)

[theorich]

I'm a newbie 14er. I purchased a Mini 14 Ranch Rifle model 5848.
After opening the box I found that Ruger had omitted the picatinny
rail, after a quick call to Ruger they will send one to me (free).

My question is this: I am interested in adding a moderately priced optic
and was wondering if there are any "favorites" among you people that
know about this stuff.

I am simply a recreational shooter, haven't shot over 100yds since I left
Nam in '67.

Respectfully,
Theorich
Retired Army SFC E7,

 

[DGW1949]

Welcome to the forum.
From my experience...due to the Mini's stock design, a physically small scope mounted low is more user-friendly than a big scope mounted tall.
Plus, unlike a bolt action gun...the Mini14 has three distinctly different recoil impulses every time it is fired, two of which are caused by it's relatively-heavy op-rod and are imparted in opposite directions as it slams to a stop (twice). Point there is that there's a lot more shock and vibration going on each time a shot is fired than a lot of folks realize...meaning that blue Loctite is your friend, you'll probably want to stay away from cheap-made scopes, and the less overall mass you're attaching the better.

Myself, I've had the most luck in terms of longevity and things "staying put" when using the Ruger pic-rail in conjunction with a set of Weaver (low) mounts and 1" fixed power shot gun scope...but a good one aint cheap...and depending on brand and length, they can be tricky to mount where ya need 'em to mount without removing the rear sight...so if you were to decide to go that route, be careful in that regard before plunking down your money.

Hope this helped.

DGW

 

[Big Old Boy]

Just a thought, try a red dot. I have a vortex venom on my American ranch and it is a fun gun and works great. I shoot clay birds at the 50 and 100 yard line.

 

[blume357]

I'd either go red dot or stick with iron... the reality is you can't beat iron.... possibly switch to tech sights.

 

[DGW1949]

I'd either go red dot or stick with iron... the reality is you can't beat iron.... possibly switch to tech sights.

I hear ya...I'm a big fan of iron sights myself. Leastways, a big fan of "proper" iron sights...which aint what comes on any Mini-14 that Ruger has ever built.
That's all I better say about that, least I drift off into a rant. :lol: .

DGW

 

[blume357]

rant away, some of us might learn something from it.

 

[DGW1949]

rant away, some of us might learn something from it.

Trying to be brief, let me put it this way:

A proper rear sight;
1)...Will not break if the gun gets dropped or bumped-up against a tree in the woods.
2)...Has adjustments which do not involve the use of an eye-glass screw driver, or an Allen wrench.
3)...Will not shake-apart from firing, or shake-loose from the gun, and/or fall completely off of the gun. In other words, a proper sight doesn't depend on a single #5 screw and some sort of glue to hold it in place, nor does it depend on an even smaller screw (with yet more glue) to hold it's aperture in place.
4)...In short, a proper rear sight ass'y should be designed, constructed, and mounted in a manner which enhances one's ability to shoot well, provide a means of easy adjustment, and not detract from the overall strength of the platform...as opposed to say, being the first thing that needs "upgraded" before the gun can be put to any sort of "serious use".

But that's just me and my opinion. Apparently, I'm lot more serious about my Mini-14 than Ruger is about building them. :lol: :lol: :lol: .

DGW

 

[Major T]

Minis are hard on scopes as explained by DGW. When I decided to scope my late issue stainless synthetic Ranch Rifle, I looked to my experience with springer air guns which tend to wreck scopes. I'm sure there are others, but I have had
Leupold variables and Buris fixed stay together. I put a Leupold made Redfield Revolution 3-9 on mine mounted in conventional Ruger rings on the built in mounts on the bridge and receiver ring. Up to now, it shoots near to or sometimes just under an inch. The only other thing done to mine is a trigger job. I'm happy!

Jack