Scope recommendations for mini 14

[wolfsong]

I recently sold my 2001 F-150 to my good friend Jerry (of the Little Trailer That Could fame) for a couple of grand AND a brand new stainless/synthetic mini 14. We're both happy with the deal...

Now I'd like your recommendations on a scope that won't get knocked out of whack f from om the sharp recoil of the mini. I'll be using it mainly for coyotes and other lesser varmints, and targets. I'm thinking Nikon 3-9x40 because I'm familiar with them and their warranty is unconditional. But I am open for any and all opinions based on your experience with minis in the field. $200 is my price range, but I'd go higher if necessary. Lower would be good, too. :)

Let me have it, guys.

By the way, I bought a Chevy Silverado 4x4 to replace the Ford. Now you can REALLY let me have it!

Peace and God bless, Wolfsong.

 

[gunman42782]

Nikon or Vortex. They both have great warranties, and they are good clear glass.

 

[H.H. Hipshot]

I like my Leupolds, and 3X9 is a good choice. My choice in the olden days was Redfield, and never had a problem.

 

[WAYNO]

For a Mini...The bargain-priced ($200) Leupold and/or Redfield 3x9 would work just fine. I've mounted the VX-1 on Mini and it performed well. Now if you think you have a preference for an adjustable objective, which is my preference, then you're gonna double the price or more if you're buying a Leupold.

Now if ya wanna roll your eyes just a little, I have another suggestion. Bushnell offers an AR series of scopes that include the AO feature for roughly 200-bucks. Yep, made in China, but for a Mini or AR, they work quite well.

WAYNO.

 

[GLGAR]

I have a 3-9x40 silver Bushnell Trophy that I used for a short time on my stainless Mini 14 before I replaced it with a Eotech red dot. Let me know if you might be interested.

 

[wunbe]

Scoping a Mini with good glass --or any glass -- is all but pointless. If you cannot live with the irons, I'd also buy a rugged, serviceable red dot cheaply and use that as the general reference point/neighborhood for where the bullets might go.

wunbe

 

[gramps]

I had a mini 30 in the late 90's. It wore a Tasco 3 x 9. It did what I needed. Especially price wise as my then wife was high maintenance. :)
gramps

 

[Pat-inCO]

I would go with a "Red Dot" rather than a scope. The Mini 14 is REALLY
neat, but not accurate enough to fully utilize a good scope. A red dot, on the
other hand, has from a 2 to 6 moa dot, and that fits well with what the Mini
will do.

I have one I got from Midway that has an adjustable dot (2, 4, or 6 moa)
and it is very good.

 

[WAYNO]

Iron sights or a Red Dot may be fine for silhouette targets or other very visible or easily acquired targets but for jackrabbits or coyotes standing on a woodsline at a hundred yards, a scope has a huge advantage, even on a rifle capable of only a 3-inch group. But, it certainly does not need to be a 4-hundred dollar-or-more scope.

WAYNO.

 

[Bear Paw Jack]

Iron sights or a Red Dot may be fine for silhouette targets or other very visible or easily acquired targets but for jackrabbits or coyotes standing on a woodsline at a hundred yards, a scope has a huge advantage, even on a rifle capable of only a 3-inch group. But, it certainly does not need to be a 4-hundred dollar-or-more scope.

WAYNO.

^^^^^^^^^^^THIS^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Wayno has a lot to contribute and considerable experience. I totally agree with him.

Wolfie, another option is to buy a used Leupold scope it will still come with a lifetime warranty but be good optics. I also like Wayno's sugestion, Bushnell put's out some quality optics. I just bought one myself.

http://www.amazon.com/Bushnell-Illuminated-Reticle-Riflescope-713946C/dp/B004NK8SFC This is the one I just bought.

 

[john guedry]

My Mini had a cheap (CHEEP) scope on it when I bought it from my B.I.L. a few years ago. What's this sharp recoil you're talking about? Still got the scope and it's 'bout as accurate as any mini I've seen.

 

[hickoryhillbill]

Have had a P223 on mine for several years. Works perfectly. I drove F150s for 35 years. Last time out I bought a 2014 GMC. Should have done this a long time ago.