Removing Scope on Mini 14

[kbm6893]

I am super anal about cleaning my guns, and when I shoot them, I want to clean them right. Can I remove the factory Ruger rings with the scope still attached to remove the heatshield and clean the outside of the barrel and not lose the zero on the scope? I don't want to sight in the scope and remove it to clean and then lose the zero I had. I have a Nikon Prostaff 3X9 scope.

 

[Meeteetse]

Every gun is a little different, but I would say yes. If you installed the Ruger rings correctly and the scope is locked in the rings, you should be able to take it off and not lose the zero. I have removed the scope on a M77 a couple of time for transport and been right on when I put it back. Should be the same on the Mini.

 

[cb1000h]

Actually the scop will most likely not hold zero due to the fact the each ring is seperate if you put a weaver rail on it then mount new rings to the rail so it is a solid unit with the scope will be more likely to keep your zero
Midway hase the rail it mounts to the mounting scope mounting points

 

[Silent Sam]

I have R&R'd scopes on bolt action Rugers w/ no loss of zero. I don't see that adding more parts would help anything. You just have to seat the bases in the cutouts and tighten them consistently assuming they are correctly installed from the start. I use a torque driver when tightening ring and mount screws. You don't need to touch the ring screws. I might do it once or twice a hunting season primarily switching between a scope and a peep sight. Having said that Ruger's system is not necessarily specifically designed to be used that way. It's just solid enough that if you do things correctly it will work. They are not marketed as quick release, return to zero, ringmounts. If you R&R them enough times something is going to wear/ change. I expect it would be the mount threads, especially if you over torque them and/ or don't tighten them consistently.