Best All-Around Optics for Mini-14 Tactical?

[Jack1228]

Hey, I have a Mini-14 with Picatinny rail system, and less than perfect distance eyesight. I'm looking for a decent scope for use between 50-200 yards but would work well for rapid target aquisition, with longer eye relief, in an urban setting when the stock is folded (use from driver's seat of car). Don't need it for over 200 yards, have an AR for that. The mini is my go-to "truck gun" and I want it to be as all-purpose as possible.

I was thinking ACOG knockoff (don't want to break the bank) or maybe even a 4x or 6x pistol sight...

And yes, I have been and plan to keep practicing my TA with the open sights.

Thoughts?

[Skyjump136]

Burris Fast Fire II or Vortex StrikeFire are both very nice for less than $200. Unlimited eye relief on both. The Burris has no magnification and the Vortex offers an optional (free with the optic) 2X magnifier.

[Jack1228]

Perhaps the Vortex with the 2x magnifier is the way to go. The unlimited eye relief is a plus for rapid target acquisition. I am gonna dress this thing up for CQB/Bug-out rifle, not for distance.

Fit in BOB? Check.

Ride on passenger seat? Yup.

Use as pistol (folding stock) Can-do.

Stll bang a gong at 300? Uh-huh.....

[Palma]

IMO, if your outer limit range is 200 yds with an occasional 300 yd shot, I would just stay with iron sights. Maybe upgrade, not familliar with what factory sights you have.

[Jungle Work]

I would highly recommend that you use any optics sitting on top an AR if you want to hit anything past one hundred yards.

Mini 14s are probably one of the biggest disappointments I've seen in my shooting life.

Go take your mini and some money and buy an AR.
You'll be better off.

This is the same advice I'd give my own son if he was going to spend some money on a Mini 14 or parts for it.

Jungle Work

[nhfieldrep]

Hey Jungle Work, read the OP and you'll find that they HAVE an AR also. The question was about a good site for the Mini. I happen to have both, the Vortex Strikefire on my AR and a 4X cheap AIM scope on my Mini. I'd use either one in a SHTF situation as both are accurate out to 100 yards IMO.

So Jake1228, I'd go with the Strikefire or other quick follow up red dot for eyes like we both have. Just my opinion.

NHfieldrep

[Grevlin]

My default go-to red dot is an Aimpoint Micro.

For a "truck gun" I would say a Bushnell TRS-25 red dot- around $100 bucks - I use them on my shotguns and Ruger 10/22 take down

[Jack1228]

Originally Posted by Grevlin

My default go-to red dot is an Aimpoint Micro.

For a "truck gun" I would say a Bushnell TRS-25 red dot- around $100 bucks - I use them on my shotguns and Ruger 10/22 take down

Not ready to upgrade to aimpoint yet- I wanted a cheaper knock-off just to see how that suits me. In the end, I may go naked anyway.

The 2x lens that comes wih the Vortex Strikefire will be very helpful, methinks. So will the green option....

[sailinghudson25]

IF your not ready to get good optics for your gun, then get ready for them to fail in the worst possible time. They always go like that.

Folding stock and any scope will not match. Every scope has an eye relief range. Get a 1x red dot scope.

I love the eotech 512 ontop of my AK-47. I would not have it any other way, besides maybe another battle proven red dot like a comp m4 or maybe one of those trijicons.

I went out in the woods for a few days recently with some friends. They had cheap optics on the guns, like cheapie bushnells, BSA's, and Tascos. All of them had some sort of issue with their optics. Zero was off, couldn't adjust the scope. Just keep with irons if you're not going to invest.

It is better to have a few good guns than a bunch of cheap ones. Same goes with what you bolt onto it. You only got 2 hands......

[Skyjump136]

Originally Posted by Jungle Work

Mini 14s are probably one of the biggest disappointments I've seen in my shooting life.

Go take your mini and some money and buy an AR.
You'll be better off.

I own both ARs and Minis. Love them both and each platform serves a purpose. Not sure if you got a problem child or what. Chances are good you never actually owned a Mini...most haters haven't.

[Gort]

Best All-Around would be a 1-4 scope. Millet makes one that is reasonable in price. Burris makes the XTR 1-4 that is very nice but costs about $700, it's worth every penny, great glass and the nice BDC reticle.

Straight 1x optic: The Votex Sparc or Strikefire are decent and are priced around $190 for the Sparc or around $140 for the Strikefire, both have 2x mulitpliers that are average in glass quality.

[13FoxTrot10]

Edit:
Sorry... misread the question.

[Rolex]

Originally Posted by Jack1228

Hey, I have a Mini-14 with Picatinny rail system, and less than perfect distance eyesight. I'm looking for a decent scope for use between 50-200 yards but would work well for rapid target aquisition, with longer eye relief, in an urban setting when the stock is folded (use from driver's seat of car). Don't need it for over 200 yards, have an AR for that. The mini is my go-to "truck gun" and I want it to be as all-purpose as possible.

I was thinking ACOG knockoff (don't want to break the bank) or maybe even a 4x or 6x pistol sight...

And yes, I have been and plan to keep practicing my TA with the open sights.

Thoughts?

Hello, what did you decide to get? I just got a Ruger Mini-14 Tactical model and would like a decent scope for the range you mentioned. Please let me know what you came up with and if your happy with it. Thanks.

Phil in SC

[Uncle Bob]

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/186...vc=subv1725900

[okc2002]

After playing with a bunch of sighting systems I like the ACOG 3.5 variant with the green donut. The two eye open technique really works and it is fast from 25 yards to 300 yards. Super high quality optics. I have two Eotechs-one is the 512 and it lost its brightness and needs to go back to the company for service. I also have an eotech with the 3.0 power flip up magnifier-not worth it in my opinion-save your money or get and ACOG (fiberoptic illumination and nothing to fail). Otherwise I like good old iron sights. My ranch rifle shoots ok against man sized targets-it is not a sniper rifle. I plan to get it accurized with a high grade bull barrel some time in the future.

[DaveinCT]

Plenty of good options mentioned. I have a Mini 14 and a Mini 30 both of the newer series and like them both. I have NO trouble with either one, both chew up and spit out any ammo I feed them and accuracy? The 30 is outstanding for 7.62x39mm and the 14 performs great for my needs. Both fun smooth shooting rifles..

[Jack1228]

Originally Posted by Rolex

Hello, what did you decide to get? I just got a Ruger Mini-14 Tactical model and would like a decent scope for the range you mentioned. Please let me know what you came up with and if your happy with it. Thanks.

Phil in SC

Vortex Strikefire with the 2x attachment which I really like

Still trying to figure out what the Mini haters hate so much. This gun rocks!