We all know the Ruger Mini 30 comes in handy when we are aiming targets in a short range. Even though it’s a short-range rifle, it mostly uses powerful rounds and can have heavy recoils. But did you know you can enhance your shooting performance just by using high-quality scopes with it?
Adding good quality scopes to the rifle will ensure you have more precise and quick shots. Since the Ruger Mini 30 is used for short-range shooting, many users tend to prefer the scopes with low-range magnification. However, some people also like to use mid or long-range scopes with this rifle.
So, the choice of different magnification ranges is a matter of preference and the hunting style of the hunter. But choosing the right scope is not an easy task, especially when you have so many options available in front of you.
Hence, after carefully considering all the necessary factors, we have brought you the reviews of the best scopes for Ruger Mini 30 that are available in the market. We also have provided an important checklist to help you find the perfect scope.
Best Ruger Mini 30 Scopes – [Editor’s Choice]
But hey wait! Before we jump to the reviews, let’s give you a quick glimpse of products that have been specifically designed to use in different ranges.
| Low-Range | Mid-Range | Long-Range |
|---|---|---|
| Vortex Crossfire II 2-7x32mm | UTG 3-12×44 30mm | Leupold VX-3i 4.5-14x40mm |
| Bushnell Drop Zone 1-4x24mm | Burris Fullfield II 3-9x40mm | |
| Redfield Revolution 2-7x33mm | ||
| TRUGLO Omnia 1-4×24 |
Best Short-Range Scopes For Ruger Mini 30
1. Vortex Crossfire II 2-7x32mm Rifle Scope
If you are a serious hunter and looking for scopes with a versatile magnification range, this scope can be a great option for you. The scope has a good balance of all the necessary factors, we expect from a scope.
Especially, the tube and lens are carefully constructed to make the scope water, fog, and shockproof. The tube is made of Aircraft-grade Aluminum to enhance the strength and durability of the part. The O-ring seals and Nitrogen gas purging protect the tube from fog and moisture in all environments. Similarly, the lenses have multi-coatings to increase the level of light transmission from the front glass to the back eyepiece.
On the other hand, the 2x-7x magnification will give you a versatile range to aim for targets. The Dead-Hold BDC reticle also comes in aid to make accurate shots. Since the reticle is placed on the second focal panel, the recile size will remain the same at the different magnification ranges.
Besides, the scope has a long eye relief as in 3.9”, this keeps your eyes protected in the heavy recoils. On the whole, it can be a good deal for you if you are interested in easy-to-handle and balanced quality type scopes.
What is the parallax setting of the scope?
The scopes for mid-long or long-range shooting rifles generally come with parallax settings. Since this scope is for low-range shooting, it doesn’t have any parallax adjustment system.
What ring base do you need to mount the scope?
The choice of base mainly depends on what type of rail your rifle has. You will need 1” rings to mount the scope but the type of the base will vary according to the rail of the riles.
What type of caliber does the scope support?
You can use different types of calibers with the scope which makes it very easy to work with. However, in our opinion, the .223 rounds work much better than the other types of calibers.
2. Bushnell 1-4x/24mm Drop Zone Reticle Riflescope
Are you looking for a close to mid-range hunting scope? If so, this scope may work great for you. It comes with fully multi-coated lenses for bright images and also has a fast-focus eyepiece for easy target acquisition.
The highlighted part of the scope is the Drop Zone 223 BDC ballistic reticle which starts its aiming point at 100 yards and goes up to 500 yards. Besides, the target turrets of the scope will help you to make precise adjustments at every shooting range.
In addition, the tube is made with Aluminum Alloy to ensure the longevity of the scope. To protect the inner part of the scope from corrosion and dust, the tube has anodized finishing and sealing.
All in all, it’s a good scope for close to mid-range shooting rifles since it is equipped with the features of accurate and fast shots.
What sorts of caliber work with the scope?
Not all scopes are designed to work with different types of calibers, some may need certain types of rounds to work with. In this case, as per the company description, you can use .223 and 5.56 calibers with the scope.
Does it come with scope rings?
No, the product doesn’t come with scope rings, you need to buy it separately. Since the tube diameter of the scope is 30mm, you will require rings of the same size.
Does it have an illuminated reticle?
This scope works great in terms of making accurate shots. But it doesn’t have an illuminated reticle which will help you to aim targets in the low lights.
3. Redfield Revolution 2-7x33mm Riflescope w/4-Plex
If you are planning for an adventurous hunting experience, this scope has got your back! It is considered to be one of the best scopes for hunting rifles because of the lens quality and magnification range it offers.
When thinking about a lens of a good quality scope, what features come to our mind? Its light transmission ability, durability, and reticle system. The scope has covered it all. The dielectric coatings on the lens ensure the maximum amount of light transfers through the glasses to provide as bright images as possible.
Additionally, The Accu-range reticle makes sure that you can use the scope in every lighting situation. With the help of the colder colors of the reticle system, you will be able to have clear shots even in the dusk or dawn times.
If we talk about the durability of the lenses, they are water and fogproof, which gives you the flexibility to use the scope in all sorts of environments. Since the magnification range is between 2 to 7 times, It gives you a versatile range of shooting. Another good part of this scope is, it has long eye relief to prevent eye injuries from heavy recoils.
Therefore, we believe this scope will not only be good for hunting but also great for tactical shooting.
What is the field of view of the scope?
At the low magnification (2x) the FOV will be 43.2ft at the 100 yards and at the highest magnification (7x) from the same distance, the view will be 17.3ft.
What scope ring size do you need to mount it?
This 33mm objective lens scope comes with a 1” tube diameter. Hence, to mount the scope on the rifle you will need 1” scope rings with a low height.
Can this hold zero with the heavy recoil from a Marlin 1895G,45/70?
The scope has been designed to withstand the heavy recoil of the high-power rifles, without affecting the zero adjustment. Therefore, in the time of heavy recoil, it will hold the zero of the rifle.
4. TRUGLO Omnia 1-4x24mm Tactical Rifle Scope
Even though the product name suggests it’s a tactical rifle scope, it is also highly compatible with short-range rifles like the Ruger Mini 30. Whether you’re mounting it on a tactical rifle or a hunting rifle, the features it offers work equally well in both hunting and combat situations.
The lenses of the scope are multi-coated so that you can have bright images of the target in all lighting conditions. If you are out hunting at night, you can still get a clear visual of your target with the lenses. Besides, with the help of Illuminated All Purpose Tactical Reticle, you can have precise measurements to aim at your target.
Since the scope is designed with lead spring-style turrets, you get better control over brightness settings and magnification. In addition, these turrets have a strong locking system to prevent any accidental adjustments of the scope.
The sturdy construction enables the scope to withstand heavy recoils and rough environments. Hence, without any hesitation, you can keep this scope in your options.
What is the magnification range of the product?
The product is available with three types of magnification ranges such as 1-4x, 1-6x, 1-8x. However, we have reviewed the scope with 1-4x magnification.
Can you mount the scope on all hunting rifles?
The scope is offered with a one-piece mount base so that you can mount it in all hunting rifles. The mounting base is durable and strong enough to hold the scope for a long period.
Which caliber should you use if you have this scope on the rifle?
It performs well with more or less all types of caliber. But the .308 rounds seem to work well with the scope other than the .223 and 5.56 calibers.
Read More Scope Blogs:- Ruger Gunsite Scout | Ruger Mini 14 | Savage 220
Best Mid-Range Scopes For Ruger Mini 30
5. UTG 3-12×44 30mm Mil-Dot Compact Scope
You can consider it as a mid-range shooting scope that is highly compatible with different hunting rifles like the Ruger Mini 30. The scope does come with many useful features, but for us what stands out most, is its reticle and tube construction.
We all know the Mil-dot reticles are very convenient for ranging estimation, so this scope can give you different aiming points since it also has Mil-dot reticles. The best part of this reticle is the built-in Illumination Enhancing(IE) Technology. Due to the IE technology, along with the traditional red/green color dots, the reticle system has 36 color multi-mode operation.
So what happens is you can use the illuminated reticle not only when the light goes darker but also in a lighter environment. In fact, with the help of this system, now the color blind shooters can also find colors workable with their eyesight.
The scope has been built on the True Strength Platform which means the scope’s inner and outer tubes have long and durable joint-like interaction. This helps to ensure precise and responsive windage/elevation adjustment for a long period.
Moreover, like any other high-quality scopes, this one also has a sealed and Nitrogen-filled tube, fog and water-resistant lenses as well as the locking and resetting zero system.
Does it come with mounting accessories?
UTG likes to provide a complete solution for perfect-scope installation. So, along with the scope, they have offered flip-open lens caps and a pair of medium-height Max Strength heavy-duty rings.
Do you need a battery to get a crosshair?
No, you don’t. Like other scopes, this crosshair is also black, so you don’t need a battery to get it. But you will require a battery when you want to illuminate the crosshair.
What is the eye relief of the scope?
It is important that whenever you purchase a scope, you should check the amount of eye relief the scope can provide. This will ensure the proper viewing position and also will protect your eyes from being injured in heavy recoil. So, the eye relief of the scope is nearly 3” or 84mm – 72mm.
6. Burris Fullfield II 3-9x40mmHunting Scope
As the product name suggests, this is a hunting scope compatible to use any hunting rifle. This product is offered with three different magnification ranges, so If you are looking for a versatile magnification range scope, it is a good option to consider.
The varieties in magnification range are not only the good quality scope has, but you will also love the way the reticle and lens have been designed. It comes with a Ballistic Plex reticle to allow you to have effective and better target acquisition.
Besides, the Hi-Lume multi-coated lenses provide sufficient light to transfer through the glasses. This multi-coating on the lens helps the scope to have low light performance and glare reduction. Additionally, it also comes with a durable and integrated eyepiece design to provide a no-slip grip for easy adjustment in the field.
Hence, we believe if you are a hunter who travels through rough terrains, you will like this scope mostly for its ability to aim from different ranges, and sustainability in intense situations and weather conditions.
What ring height can you use to mount the scope on the Rem 700?
To place the scope firmly on the rifles, you need to know both the ring size and ring height the scope requires. So, If you want to mount this scope on Rem 700, you will need 1” rings with medium height.
What is the lowest parallax setting of the scope?
The parallax setting is essential to clear the image of the lens at different ranges. In this scope, you will get the lowest setting at 50 yards.
Will it hold the zero on a 300 Win Mag?
The scopes are designed to be robust so that in the time of heavy recoils, they can hold the zero. Hence, it should hold the zero on a 300 Win Mag as well.
Best Long-Range Scopes For Ruger Mini 30
7. Leupold VX-3i 4.5-14x40mm Riflescope
Leupold rifle scopes have been an absolute favorite to all types of rifle users. It doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner or a professional-level hunter, after mounting this scope on your rifle, you can’t help but be impressed with its performance.
What makes their scope construction different from others is that they keep the design simple but include all the necessary features to bring out the maximum performance of the rifle.
For instance, the scope has a mid to long magnification range, though with Ruger 30 we don’t generally aim long range, if we do then the Boone and Crockett reticle will adjust accordingly to give you an accurate aim for the target.
The Ion-assist lens coating on the lenses ensures higher level light transmission for bright images of the target. It also prevents moisture and fog from damaging the lens.
What we also like about this scope is the Twilight Max Light Management System and turret adjustment. When the light management system allows you to have bright and clear images in low light conditions, the zero lockable turrets help you to have more accurate elevation and windage adjustments.
Since the scope is made with 6061-T6 Aircraft quality Aluminum, you can rest assured about its durability to support you through any weather conditions. Do you want a high-quality scope? Then you can grab the VX-3i with no hesitation!
Why are the Leupold rifle scope model numbers important?
Some certain features vary with each model scope, hence, you should also check what model you are buying for your rifle so that you can be sure about the compatibility of the product.
For example, the model 170690 scope comes with a Boone and Crockett reticle whereas the 170689 model scope has a Duplex reticle. So, if you are looking for a Duplex reticle, you need to buy a 170689 scopes rather than the other one.
Does the scope have an adjustable objective?
No, unfortunately, this particular model does not come with an adjustable objective, Instead it comes with a fixed objective. But don’t worry, it won’t affect the performance of the scope.
Does it support Leupold CDS?
There are two models of this product, one is 170689 and another is 170690. The model number of the reviewed product is 170690 which doesn’t support the custom dial system. However, the other model does come with this feature.
Buying Guide For Ruger Mini 30 Scopes
If you look around, you will see many people are suggesting several things to consider before purchasing the scope for the Mini 30 rifle. But we believe the following factors are the most important things that you should check to make your purchase worthwhile.
Magnification
You need to consider the magnification range according to your hunting or shooting style and also the shooting distances. But generally, you will need scopes with a low magnification range since Ruger Mini 30 is used for shooting at a close distance.
Objective Lens
The diameter of the objective lens for Ruger Mini 30 could be both large and small. Now selecting the type of objective lens mainly depends on your hunting or shooting style.
If you are someone who likes to shoot in a low-light environment, you will prefer to use a large-diameter lens. But in this case, you will have to mount the scope higher than the smaller objective lens. This will affect the scope-to-eye alignment and also the consistency of the cheek weld.
Hence, many Ruger Mini users prefer small-diameter objective lenses so that they don’t have to face these issues. However, while choosing the scope ensure it has multi-coating glasses. These layers of coatings provide optimal brightness to the scope as well as protect it from fog, moisture, and shock.
Eye Relief
Even though we use rifles for short-distance shootings, they have very heavy recoils. So, it is necessary to ensure that the scope will not affect your eye relief. Otherwise, your eyes can have serious injuries from the scope because of the heavy recoils.
Durability
The scope for this rifle should be made out of high-quality materials. It should be sturdy enough to endure rough terrains but at the same time, it shouldn’t be heavy weighted. If the scope weighs too much, it will make it difficult to carry it in the hunting fields.
Summary
Since the Ruger Mini 30 has different features and construction from the long-range rifles, it is quite obvious you will need different sorts of scopes to mount on it. But finding the right scope is another journey to make!
To spare you from the hard work, you have researched for yourself and also brought a few suggestions from which you can easily find your desired scope. However, we will recommend you to see the given checklist to understand the factors that make a difference in the scope quality and preferences.
Scopes:- 17 HMR | 17 WSM | 204 Ruger | 224 Valkyrie | 22 Magnum | 243 Winchester | 257 Weatherby | 270 Winchester | 3 Gun | 300 PRC | 338 Lapua | 350 Legend | 375 HH | 44 Magnum | 450 Bushmaster | 50 BMG | 6.5 Creedmoor | 6.5 Grendel | 6.8 SPC | 7.62.39 | Benjamin Marauder | Henry H001 | M1a | Marlin 336 | Marlin 795 | Marlin Model 60 | MK12 | Ruger Gunsite Scout | Ruger Mini 14 | Savage 220 | Scar 20S | Sig 716
Scopes & Sights:- 11.5 SBR | 300 Blackout | M4 | MK18 | Ruger Charger | S&W M&P 15&22 | S&W M&P 15 Sport 2
Hi, I’m Brent Hansford. A writer turned hunter & now sharing my love for the sport through writing. As I practically breathe weapons, I firmly believe I’m capable of providing you with new knowledge about firearms and hunting. My mission is to help more people get better at hunting & master the weapons. Let me help with unleashing the beast within you!
