If you’re looking for the best scope for Mini 14, you might be a little overwhelmed with the number of options that are out there. Well, don’t worry.
Today, we’re going to go over absolutely everything you need to know in order to choose the perfect scope for your Mini-14, no matter what you’re using it for. We’ve got options for tactical shooters, varmint hunters, and traditional target shooters, as well as advice on how to choose the best scope for your specific needs.
Let’s get to it.
If you’re in a hurry and don’t have time for the details, here are our best picks for Mini 14 scopes:
- Bushnell AR Optics 3-9×40 Drop Zone-223 BDC Ballistic Reticle Riflescope
- Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9×40 Riflescope
- Trijicon TR23 AccuPoint 5-20×50 Riflescope
- Vortex Optics Razor HD Gen II 1-6x24mm
- EOTech 512
Table of Contents
What Makes a Good Ruger Mini-14 Scope?
The Ruger Mini-14 is an incredibly versatile firearm that can be used for anything from a ranch rifle to a tactical or competition rifle. As is the case with its more popular 5.56 sibling the AR-15, this versatility means you have a wide variety of options when it comes to scope choice.
In general though, here are some things you’ll want to look out for.
Durability
Since you’re likely to be in the field with your Mini-14, we really want to go with something that is durable, can stand up to transport, and can stand to get knocked around a little bit. We also want something with an excellent warranty, just in case something does happen and a lens gets scratched.
You’ll also probably want something that is water and fogproof, especially if you’re going to be hunting. Most modern optics are fairly waterproof…at least according to their product specs, but many simply won’t hold up in the field.
That’s why it’s important to go with a reputable manufacturer that is willing to stand behind their product. There are plenty of manufacturers that are happy to take your money, but less than happy to support the optics you buy from them after they’ve been purchased.
Weight
The Mini-14 is a lightweight rifle that’s quick to shoulder, and well-balanced. Throwing a 60mm scope on this is just going to ruin a lot of what makes the rifle so good, and you’re not going to get a lot of benefit from the extra magnification anyway.
The only exception would be if you’re exclusively doing something like benchrest shooting or hunting off of a tripod, but even then weight savings is no bad thing (and there’s probably a better option out there than a Mini-14 anyway).
Compatibility with 5.56×45 or .223 Remington
There are a huge number of scopes out there with reticles specifically tailored for the drop of the 5.56/.223, and having one on your Mini-14 makes it a lot easier to quickly take shots at long range.
This is especially important if you’re using your Mini-14 as a hunting or varmint rifle, and you might need to quickly take a shot on a target at distance, particularly if that target is loping along and not stopping very frequently.
Having a ballistic drop compensator (BDC) reticle allows you to quickly adjust for the distance between you and your target, which is essential when hunting in particular. It’s also handy for certain types of target shooting, such as steel silhouette, where the Mini-14 excels.
Choosing the Right Scope Magnification
One of the most important things when choosing a scope for the Mini-14 is choosing something with the right magnification for your application. It can be tempting as a new shooter to just throw the highest magnification scope you can get onto your rifle, and call it good.
This can lead to problems, however, especially when it comes to hunting or shooting in a defensive situation.
The Mini-14 is a relatively short-range rifle that really requires a low-power optic. A typical hunting optic is 3-9x for a reason after all. Most people aren’t comfortable taking an ethical shot beyond three or four hundred meters, and you can’t reach much past that with 5.56 anyway, so 3-9x is about the max you’ll want.
The exception would be if you’re doing some precision target shooting or varmint hunting out to the upper end of the 5.56’s effective range at 600 yards or so. In this case, something with a magnification that tops out between 14x and 20x is probably preferred, though you’ll still want a relatively low magnification on the bottom end for those closer shots.
Best Scope for Mini 14 on the Market Review
1 Bushnell AR Optics 3-9×40 Drop Zone-223 BDC Ballistic Reticle Riflescope
Though it’s technically designed for the AR-15, the Bushnell Optics 3-9×40 Drop Zone-223 riflescope is a phenomenal option for the Mini-14 as well. The BDC reticle is designed specifically for the .223 Remington of the Mini-14, and the scope magnification is ideal for hunting, plinking, and even most target shooting.
The scope is also fairly affordable at less than $200, but don’t mistake “cheap” for “cheaply made”. Bushnell has a great warranty, and excellent customer service, and a good reputation for reliability, even though they’re on the more budget-friendly end of the market.
Mounting Rings & Lens Covers
For a scope cover, we recommend sticking with the budget-friendly theme and getting a simple slipcover like this Kemimoto Scope Cover.
Is It Worth It?
This is a great scope for hunting with Mini-14, and for target shooting as well. It has a number of features that make it a stellar option for this rifle.
- Great magnification range
- Fully multi-coated lenses
- Extended magnification adjustment lever
- BDC reticle works all the way to 600 yards
- Anti-glare coatings on lenses
- IPX7 Waterproof rating
2 Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9×40 Riflescope
Next up, we have one of our favorite overall hunting scopes, the Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9×40. This is an incredibly durable scope in our favorite magnification range for hunting, and it’s backed by Leupold’s excellent warranty and customer service as well.
Changing the zoom is smooth and easy to do with gloves on, and the scope comes in at a fairly lightweight 13oz which isn’t bad at all and won’t mess with the balance of your rifle. This is great if you might have to take a shot freehanded.
The scope has a 1” tube, so most mounts will work well, and you won’t have to worry about finding something specific to the scope. It’s also not illuminated so you don’t have to worry about batteries.
Mounting Rings & Lens Covers
If you’re looking for lens covers, we strongly recommend Leupold’s phenomenal Alumina Flip Back Lens Cover Kit.
Is It Worth It?
For most hunters, seeing this scope here shouldn’t be much of a surprise. If you’re looking to take down game inside of 300 yards, then this is the scope for you.
- Perfect magnification range for hunting with the Mini-14
- Excellent warranty
- Durable
- Classic duplex reticle
- Very clear glass
- Smooth internal gearing and adjustment
3 Trijicon TR23 AccuPoint 5-20×50 Riflescope
If you’re looking to do some serious target shooting with your Mini-14, then the Trijicon TR23 AccuPoint in 5-20×50 is a great option. This innovative optic combines fiber optics and a tritium insert to give you an illuminated reticle that requires no batteries, and you can still adjust the brightness as needed.
The high magnification is perfect for incredibly precise shots at range, but the scope is still relatively lightweight at under 2lbs. While this is heavy compared to some options on this list, it’s still fairly lightweight for what you get. And you’re not likely to be lugging a precision target rifle through the woods anyway, so the weight isn’t too much of an issue.
The tube is 1.18 inches in diameter and is made of aircraft-grade aluminum so it’s incredibly durable, in addition to being waterproof to 3 meters.
The reticle is a classic Mil-dot crosshair, which is the perfect choice for precision shooting or hunting in our opinion, especially if you’re not also carrying a rangefinder or shooting at a known distance.
Mounting Rings & Lens Covers
For a scope cover, we recommend going with a universal option like this Scope Bands Stretch Fit Cover.
Is It Worth It?
If you’re looking to do precision target shooting or very long-range varmint hunting like blasting the occasional prairie dog, this is the scope for you.
- Large upper magnification with a 5x on the low end for closer-in shooting
- Excellent durability
- Doesn’t require batteries
- Dual-illumination system
- Adjustable brightness
- Mil-dot crosshair
- Second focal plane reticle
4 Vortex Optics Razor HD Gen II 1-6x24mm
Next, we have more of a scout rifle style scope, the Vortex Razor HD Gen II. This is an extremely popular optic among tactical and competition shooters, and it’s just about perfect for the Mini-14.
The 1x magnification gives you what is effectively a red dot on the low end, while still giving you plenty of zoom to reach out to 100 meters and beyond. It’s also incredibly durable, easy to use, and comes with Vortex’s industry-leading lifetime warranty.
If you aren’t shooting much past 200 meters, are thinking about doing something like 3-Gun competition, or you just want the most versatile overall optic, this is the one to go with.
The only downsides are the relatively low magnification that may not quite be enough for some target shooting or hunting, and it’s fairly expensive. These issues are more than offset by what you get though.
Mounting Rings & Lens Covers
The only real choice here is to go with the equally excellent Vortex Defender Flip Caps.
Is It Worth It?
For most any tactical use, short-range competition usage, or general ranch rifle/truck gun duties, this is the optic to go with.
- BDC Reticle options available for .223/5.56
- Lightweight
- Best warranty in the industry
- True 1x for close-range shooting
- Anti-reflective coatings
- Scratch-resistant finish
- 11 levels of brightness on the illuminated reticle
5 EOTech 512
Finally, we have our favorite holographic sight, the EOTech 512. This holographic sight might look like something you’d be more likely to find on a modern tactical rifle, but if you’re using your Mini-14 as a defensive weapon, this is definitely the best option around.
Because it’s a holo sight, it’s parallax-free, and the excellent EOTech reticle is already set up for 5.56 drop, making it the perfect fit for using your Mini-14 at ranges under 100 yards. It’s also incredibly durable, has a long battery life of 2,500 hours off of two AA batteries, and is waterproof to ten feet.
Mounting Rings & Lens Covers
A traditional scope cover doesn’t really fit the idea of this weapon sight, so we recommend a purpose-built set of flip covers like this affordable, yet durable set of EOTech Lens Covers from GG&G.
Is It Worth It?
If you’re looking to use your Mini-14 in close quarters, whether you’re hunting in thick brush or thinking about defending the homestead, this is the scope for you. It has incredibly fast target acquisition, it works even if you break the glass, and it allows you to shoot with both eyes open to maintain maximum awareness of your surroundings.
- Parallax free
- Shoot with both eyes open
- Incredibly durable
- Long battery life (2,500 hours)
- 20 brightness settings
- Waterproof to 3m
Final Thoughts
The Ruger Mini-14 is a classic rifle that works well as a hunting or ranch rifle, and it holds a special place in the hearts of many gun owners. It’s a great option in places where you can’t get an AR-15, and it still holds its own as one of the all-time great semi-automatic rifles.
And now that you know the best scope for Mini 14, you can be sure you’ll get the most out of this outstanding firearm.
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