How To Mount Scope on Mini-14

The Ruger Mini-14 is a lightweight semi-automatic rifle called because of its similarity to a smaller version of the M14 combat rifle. Popular among police enforcement, security professionals, hunters, ranchers, and target shooters, it is currently used in Battlegrounds to take off opponents at a distance.

Where compared to other guns in its class, the Mini-14 delivers less damage and only has connections for muzzle, magazine, and sight upgrades, but it compensates for these weaknesses with a very high muzzle velocity – the greatest of any weapon in the game – and little bullet drop, as well as a bigger magazine capacity, making it appropriate for circumstances when quick follow up shots are necessary at long range, as well as close quarters battle when the trigger just needs to be pulled.

To connect the shooter to the rifle, a good handgun requires a strong optic. But, more crucially, that optic must be snugly and accurately attached to the pistol. Otherwise, your hard-earned investment will underperform. Mounting a scope isn’t difficult if you have the right tools.

Mount Scope on Mini-14

Step 1: Install the Bases

The majority of optic-ready weapons have been “drilled and tapped” by the manufacturer. This simply implies that the firearm’s receiver has the correct holes in the correct places for that rifle, shotgun, or pistol. You can attach your bases after unscrewing the “plug” screws from their appropriate holes as received from the factory.

Bases vary in form, size, materials, design, and color, but the main thing is that they are manufactured to match the type of rifle on which you wish to put an optic. After you’ve chosen your bases and removed the factory screws from the holes, screw them onto the receiver using the supplied hardware, making that the bases are in the right position and facing the correct direction.

 Varying brands recommend somewhat different pounds of torque be provided to the screws (some may specify how much force should be put in the instructions), but anywhere from 35-40 pounds of torque with a torque wrench is sufficient.

If these bases are going on a weapon where the bases will not be switched out frequently, add grease or thick oil under the bases on top of the receiver before installing the bases to prevent moisture from rusting the metal under the bases.

Step 2: Attaching the Rings

After you’ve secured your bases, the following step is to add the scope rings. Scope rings are available in a variety of heights, colors, styles, and materials, but the most crucial factor here is ring height since this controls the height of the scope above the receiver—which also dictates how the scope aligns with your line of sight via the optic. 

The rings will mount differently depending on the base system and must be matched not only to the height required for appropriate eye-to-optic alignment but also to the diameter of the scope tube.

Close your eyes while securely shouldering or carrying the pistol and staring down a pair of imaginary sights to determine the ideal ring height. Now, please open your eyes. 

Are you looking at the bases or the bottoms of the rings? That implies you’ll need smaller rings. Are you staring over the rings’ tops? Purchase higher rings to align the scope with your preferred shooting position.

Step 3: Adjusting the Firearm

The hard labor begins once the rings and bases are installed on the gun. First, secure the rifle in a suitable gun vise. Then, using the scope leveling kit, set one level on a flat position on the back of the receiver and the barrel level on the farthest point away from the barrel.

 Adjust the rifle’s position in the gun vise or rest using the rear receiver level. Now, align the barrel level with the rear receiver level and tighten the barrel level while keeping it in sync with the rear receiver level. When both levels are level, remove the back level and go to the next step.

Step 4: Aligning the Scope

We can assure you that the optic will be exactly aligned with the bore since we know the rifle is now level owing to the redundancy we just did while leveling the pistol. Unscrew the ring screws with the appropriate bit, remove the top or side of the ring (depending on the ring model), and put the optic into the rings. 

Return the ring halves to their original positions. Begin screwing the screws back into the rings, leaving enough slack to adjust the sight back to the level position if the weapon or scope is bumped during the process. Place the level from the rear receiver on top of the elevation turret of the scope, perpendicular to the barrel.

 Before tightening screws, use the barrel level to ensure the handgun is level. Turn the optic in the rings until the scope level corresponds to the barrel level. The screws may be tightened back down after the scope level and the barrel level have been matched and leveled.

Step 5: Securing the Optic

Once the optic has been aligned and the screws have been begun, begin tightening the screws with the torque wrench, working diagonally across the scope, using the same 35-40 pounds of tension. You’re ready to shoot once all of the screws are evenly tightened.

While working diagonally all across the scope should maintain equal pressure and tension, keeping the scope level, the downward pressure from the screws might cause the rings to grasp the scope, causing the optic to twist. Keep an eye on the scope level during the procedure, and if you notice a shift, fasten the screws on the side of the scope level’s bubble that is rising.

This will lower the rings and straighten the scope, allowing the crosshairs to match exactly with the bore by the end. Horizontally divided rings make this considerably easier.

Step 6: Cleanup

Now that the sight is level and all screws are adjusted, you may put the levels away and proceed to boresighting or shooting your pistol at the range.

Read more: How To Mount Scope on Ruger 10/22

Can a scope be attached to a mini-14?

A scope mount with a magnified scope or red dot sight is an excellent complement to your Mini-14. The GG&G Mini-14 Side Mounted Scope Mount is a sturdy mounting foundation for your optic.

Can a red dot sight be installed on a mini-14?

If you want to use your Mini 14 primarily for self-defense, acquire the Burris Fastfire III. It’s a little red dot (1.6 ounces) that will get you on target quickly. In a self-defense situation, target acquisition speed is critical. The quicker you can get to your destination, the better.

How precise is a mini-14?

The accuracy rating is 4/5. The Mini-14s I fired was rather nice. Certainly, the accuracy was enough for defensive work, and the potential for hits beyond the 440-yard mark exists.

Is a Mini-14 an effective deer rifle?

It could handle varmints and, when legal, deer, as well as serve as a defense rifle. The Mini-14, with its trademark large, rounded front sight, was small enough to tote around the farm or ride in the vehicle while performing chores.

Mini-14 is a sniper, right?

The Mini 14 is the most basic sniper weapon that uses 5.56mm ammunition, while the QBU is its Sanhok map equivalent. Among the DMRs and snipers that utilize 5.56mm and 7.62mm ammunition, the Mini 14 has the lowest damage (46).

Is the Mini-14 superior to the SKS?

SKS outperforms the Mini14 in this area because of its higher damage per hit. The SKS fires 7.62mm rounds, whilst the Mini14 fires 5.56mm rounds. Mini14 has basic damage of 46 hit points in PUBG Mobile, whereas SKS deals 53 hit points in each shot. So, in terms of damage, SKS is the obvious winner.

Is the Mini-14 superior to the SKS?

SKS outperforms the Mini14 in this area because of its higher damage per hit. The SKS fires 7.62mm rounds, whilst the Mini14 fires 5.56mm rounds.

Is it possible to attach a sight to a shotgun?

A cantilever barrel is the standard way of installing a sight on a shotgun. Instead of being connected to the receiver, the optic is mounted on a rail welded to the barrel.

What is a Ruger Mini-14’s effective range?

The Mini-14, like the M16, featured a right-handed twist ratio of 1 in 12 inches, which helped stabilize the. 223 bullet in flight. The Mini-14’s effective range was 200 yards, which was determined mostly by the impact resistance of its ammunition.

Conclusion

The Mini 14 is very different from the most ubiquitous rifle in America, the AR-15. The AR-15 has fully dominated American gun culture, which is understandable considering its utility. In some of these states, the Mini 14 may be your sole option for a competent semi-automatic .223 or 5.56 rifle. 

If you want to travel extensively and want to have a competent long rifle in your van. A scope mount with a magnified scope or red dot sight is an excellent complement to your Mini-14. Hope this article helps you to understand how to install the scope on mini-14. Have fun!