Perfect for hunting, the Ruger Mini 14 is an auto-loading Ranch rifle that has a Garand-style action with a breech bolt locking system. The firearm is packed with all the necessary features for both hunting and tactical operations.
This versatile weapon comes with iron sights and a Picatinny rail system to mount extra accessories you need for personal usage. For this reason, you can easily mount any scope rings supporting the Picatinny rail on this rifle.
Although you will find this Mini 14 Ruger rifle self-sufficient, it never hurts to have another added accessory to upgrade its overall shooting experience. With that being said, we have found the top 7 best Ruger Mini 14 optics to mount on this ranch rifle.
You will also find a buying checklist towards the end that you can use to gain more knowledge about different features and aspects of rifle scopes. That way you will have a better understanding of your preferences.
Best Ruger Mini 14 Scopes – [Editor’s Pick]
1. Leupold VX-Freedom 1.5-4x20mm Riflescope
This Leupold Freedom rifle scope suits a wide range of firearms and will give you a good close to mid-range coverage for hunting and training facilities. The scope has a variable magnification range from 1.5 to 4x along with a 20 mm objective lens to extract bright and clear light.
The Pig-plex reticle specializes in hog hunting allowing you to zero at 200 or 300 yards depending on the ammunition and have holdover points out to 600 yards. Since the Mini 14 uses 5.56 NATO cartridges this reticle will provide you maximum holdover along with quick target acquisition through the centralized circle.
To reduce color aberrations and glare, Leupold has multi-coated the lenses which will produce a bright, true-to-life image. Its Twilight Light Management System works to provide sufficient visibility during dim light conditions.
The scope comes with a 3:1 zoom ratio so that you can switch from close observation to long-distance targeting in a single click. Its capped turrets allow vast windage and elevation adjustment ranges for proper bullet drop and wind compensation.
How far can you set the scope for maximum eye relief?
The scope has a minimum eye relief of 4.17 to 3.74 inches. But you can go further than this if you want.
Does the scope work well for Ruger Mini 14?
Yes, you can easily mount this scope using any 1-inch low scope rings on Ruger Mini 14 and it works well with 5.56 cartridges.
How cap sizes will fit the scope lenses?
You will need caps of 1.5 inches for the eyepiece and 1 inch for the objection lens.
Read More: Ruger Charger Optics
2. Vortex Crossfire II 2-7×32 Rimfire SFP Riflescope
With the V-plex reticle, the Vortex Optics Crossfire II Rifle scope makes a great option as a Mini 14 scope. This 2 to 7x magnified scope gives good coverage for long-distance shooting along with the reticle to work on multiple hunting applications.
It comes with fully multi-coated and anti-reflective lens glass that reduces glare and projects highly contrasted and bright images. The long eye relief of 9.45 inches enhances the visual quality and helps to quickly spot targets.
The fast-focus eyepiece with an ultra-forgiving eye box allows you to control the reticle focus easily. It also has capped reset turrets which you can adjust by using only fingers and set zero using the MOA clicks after every sight-in.
This monotube construction has an aircraft-grade aluminum alloy finish to make the scope strong and durable. It is also O-ring sealed and Nitrogen purged to keep it protected from water and fog. Therefore, your Crossfire scope will withhold through harsh conditions without falling apart.
Does the scope work well for 5.56 Ruger Mini 14?
Since it is a rimfire scope you can use it for short to medium-distance targeting in the case of 5.56 cartridges.
Where is the reticle placed in this scope?
The reticle of this scope is placed in the second focal plane.
Does the scope feature adjustable objectives?
No, the scope is focused at 100 yards, parallax-free. Hence, it does not come with adjustable objectives.
3. Bushnell 1-4x/24mm Drop Zone Reticle Riflescope
Another good scope recommendation for Ruger Mini 14 is the Bushnell Drop Zone Reticle Rifle scope. It has a magnification range from 1x to 4x that covers both short and medium-range distances very well. Along with the 24 mm objective lens, the scope is strong enough to provide a bright and clear picture.
The AR optics come with capped target turrets that offer you a low profile and accurate adjustments for better windage and elevation control. The turrets support 0.1 MIL click value for zero retention and other adjustments.
To create a perfect environment for a 5.56 Mini 14 rifle, the Drop Zone reticle comes with a ballistic feature with proper magnification that sights in at 100 yards. It also has aiming points at every 100 yards going up to 500 yards along with the reticle bottom post representing approximately 600 yards.
This lightweight scope does not even weigh more than 2 pounds and is made of high-quality and durable aluminum alloy with an anodized finish. The surface glass and body are O-ring sealed and nitrogen purged to keep it intact during rough weather.
What scope ring size will fit this scope?
The scope has a 30mm monotube so it will support any 30mm compatible scope rings. We would recommend Burris AR-PEPR QD mount for it.
Is the scope waterproof?
Yes, the scope has IPX7 rated water resistance which means it can take water submersion of 3 feet for up to 30 minutes.
What size flip up caps will fit the scope lenses?
You can look at the Butler Creek Flip-up caps in size 02A for the objective lens and size 16 for the eyepiece.
Read More Scope Blogs:- Ruger Gunsite Scout | Ruger Mini 30 | Savage 220
4. Vortex Optics Strikefire II Red Dot Sight
We also have a great red dot sight option for your Mini 14 rifle and that is this Vortex Optics Strikefire Red Dot sight that comes with two different light options- red and green. You also get ten different brightness settings with two-night vision settings to adapt to any light conditions.
Its fully multi-coated and anti-reflective lenses give you a clear and bright image quality with high-contrast light transmission. It has unlimited eye relief so that you can achieve rapid target acquisition all the time.
The scope also comes with an offset cantilever mount which you can use to attach the sight to your desired place and use other accessories such as magnifiers on the same rail with the existing iron sights.
Although the scope is lightweight and easy to carry around on your Mini 14, Vortex has not compromised its quality and durability. The sight is strong enough to withstand recoil and impact. The Nitrogen purging also makes it resistant to water and fog.
Does it come with a co-witness?
Yes, the red dot sight has a ⅓ co-witness cantilever mount that allows you to position the optic bore center 40mm above the base surface.
What would be the best flip up magnifier to work with this model?
You can find many magnifiers in the market that will work with this sight. Vortex also has a VMX-3T magnifier that will work for this scope.
Does it come with lens caps?
Yes, the lens caps are already attached to the red dot sight.
5. Burris FastFire III Red Dot Sight
Burris FastFire III gives a perfect red dot sight that helps you pinpoint the impact within the field of view in order to achieve speed and precision. The 1x magnification and parallax-free features allow you to use the both-eyes-open facility as well.
The optic gives you the advantage of using the manual brightness settings to adjust to the light conditions. Or, you can let the automatic brightness sensor to adapt the current weather conditions to give the best image effect.
There are two different types of this model. Along with two different dot lights, there are also two separate dot sizes to choose from. The 3 MOA dot sight works best for rifles and pinpoint accuracy. On the other hand, the 8 MOA dot will give you quick target acquisition.
This lightweight and reliable scope is strong enough to withstand any strong recoil and impact. It is waterproof and fogproof which can be both used as a primary sight and a secondary sight paired with another existing sight.
Can you achieve co-witness with Ruger Mini 14 factory Picatinny rail?
No, the rail of Ruger Mini 14 is too high for co-witness of iron sights.
Does it come with a sunshade?
Yes, the sunshade comes attached to the scope.
What type of battery does the sight use?
This red dot sight uses a 3-volt CR1632 battery which is included in the package.
Read More: Ruger 57 Optics
6. UTG 2-7X44 Long Eye Relief 30mm Scout Scope
The Leapers UTG Scout scope features a variable magnification range of 2-7x which works well for short to medium-range shooting. It also comes with a 44mm objective lens that makes it a powerful scope for Mini 14 rifles.
The scope also gives you a long eye relief of 11-9.5 inches which helps you to have more clarity and visibility in various light settings without straining your eyes. This sight has a unique 1 click high technology illumination memory feature that remembers the last setting of your scope. That way, you can always go back to the previous option with just one click.
In addition, its innovative EZ-TAP Illumination on Enhancing System has RGB in Duel-Color Mode and 36 colors in Multi-color mode allowing you to adjust to all weather conditions. It gives you several options to choose from depending on the existing light setting.
The scope has a 30mm monotube that is aluminum constructed to make the scope more reliable and durable during harsh usage. Moreover, the O-ring seals and Nitrogen filling keep the red dot sight water and fog-free.
Does this scope have an etched reticle?
Yes, the scope features an etched glass reticle.
Does the scope come with flip-up lens covers?
Yes, the package includes flip-up lens caps for the objective lens and eyepiece.
What is the parallax adjustment of this scope?
You can adjust the parallax from 10 yards to infinity in this scope.
7. Primary Arms SLX 4-14x44mm FFP Rifle Scope
This Primary Arms Rifle scope features a variable magnification range from 4x to 14x which is one of the highest magnifications you can find in existing scopes. This quality alone makes the scope a great option for Mini 14 optics. It also has a 44mm objective lens, proving it even more powerful for long-distance targeting.
Its traditional Mil-Dot reticle works best for accurate aiming and holdover, which is also placed in the first focal plane. As a result, the reticle always stays true to its image appearance at all magnifications hence making it easy for you to acquire long distance targets.
Besides, the reticle matches perfectly with the MIL/MIL turret adjustments that also have tactile and audible 1/10 MOA click values. These turrets come with windage and elevation adjustments allowing you to achieve resettable zero every time.
Not being any less than another scope, this model also has shock-mounted housing materials that can resist recoil and vibration from 5.56 calibration. It is also rainproof and fogproof to make it weather-defined.
What is the field of view in this scope?
The scope has a field of view at 27.20 feet for a low position and 7.85 feet for a high position.
What would be the size of the cap in the Butler Creek Caps chart for the scope lenses?
The scope’s objective lens will fit to the size 31 cap and as for the eyepiece, it is size 19 in the Butler Creek caps size chart.
How many Mils per turn of elevation turret do you get from this scope?
In the turrets, there are 6 MIl of elevation per turn.
Read More: Ruger 204 Scopes
Buying Guide For Ruger Mini 14 Scopes
The following list will help you in the regard to know more about rifle scopes. These are the major points of a scope that you need to keep in mind before choosing one for your Mini 14.
Magnification
The kind of magnification for your rifle will mostly depend on your usage. You can choose scopes with fixed magnification which will serve only one purpose. You will also find various flexible magnification ranges to change according to your needs. For Ruger Mini 14 the range between 4x to 8x will cover from close to long distance.
Objective Lens
The size of an objective lens is important for having better image clarity. With a good objective lens, a scope can be powerful as it can deliver brighter visibility. Going for a 30-44mm objective lens will work perfectly well with a Mini 14 rifle.
Lens Coating
For better color contrast, glare reduction, and anti-reflection, you will need lenses with great-quality coating. Although there are many coating options for scope lenses in the market, it will mostly depend on your needs and budget. Fully multi-coating is the best of what you can get if you have a good budget.
Reticle
The specific reticle in scope will help you acquire your targets quickly. However, it will depend on you what kind of reticle you will want in your scope. The duplex reticles are a common type for hunting and Mil-dot reticles are mainly used in Law enforcement. The BDC reticle works for all-purpose shooting.
FFP vs SFP
You also need to know the position of the reticle in the scope to get a better understanding. Reticles in the front focal plane change the appearance of the target with the magnifications. Whereas, the SFP reticle stays the same throughout the changing magnification.
Turrets
Whether it’s capped or uncapped, turrets are responsible for maintaining the windage and elevation to give better target acquisition in different weather conditions. The capped turrets are mostly common in scopes as they help to keep zero retention at all times.
Eye Relief
Minimum eye relief and ultra-forgiving eyebox along with a good eyepiece will determine the quality of the picture. Also, good eye relief will ensure no further strain on your eyes. In the case of the Mini 14 rifle, it will be good to have a minimum of 6-9 inches of eye relief.
Durability
The durability of a scope will mostly depend on its housing materials. Most of the scopes in the market use aluminum in the body so that it is lightweight and durable at the same time. In addition, its water, fog, and shock resistance will give further details on its steadiness.
Summary
Ruger Mini 14 comes as a handy rifle gun whether you want to use it for hunting, paper shooting, or any other tactical operations. This ranch rifle has been in the game since the ‘70s and still hasn’t lost its touch. That’s why you need a scope that will upgrade its quality, not the opposite.
With this intention, we have brought the top 7 best optics for Ruger Mini 14 for you to choose from. Also, there is a checklist in the buying guide so you know what you are signing up for.
Both the reviews and buying guide will help you navigate through the process of purchasing the best Ruger Mini 14 scope. Hope you find the perfect one for you.
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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!
