Mini-14 Scope Question

[Catskillkid]

So I just recently purchased a GG&G Mounting Rail for my Mini-14 as well as a new Leupold Scope (see picture below). Everything mounted well so I'm happy in that arena, but looking at it I'm concerned that extracted brass are going to fly up and fit the scope. What do you all think? Anyone have problems with a similar set-up?

 

[dsdmmat]

It should be fine. My M14 scope is mounted closer to the action than yours is and the brass clears it.

 

[meketrefe]

ejection should be fine.
The only issue is that with the mount it is too high to get a proper cheek weld so not sure ...

 

[Runner99]

ejection should be fine.
The only issue is that with the mount it is too high to get a proper cheek weld so not sure ...

Agreed, a cheap cheek riser would go a long way with that setup

https://www.amazon.com/Voodoo-Tacti..._2?_encoding=UTF8&refRID=XDGRYWQM54GZ502AV9NP

something like this^

Sweet rig though, mini's look best in wood

 

[Catskillkid]

Thanks all. And completely agree on the cheek riser. That's my next pick-up.

 

[Phauxtoe]

one way to find out!
Shoot it!

Bring some duct tape to protect it, just in case!

 

[meketrefe]

IMHO before you buy anything I would sit down with the rifle and measure where everything shoud go. Scope, lop, comb, eye relief.
Sit down and get down on the rifle with your eyes closed. Get a feelingx confortable feeling and then open your eyes. This is where the picture shoud be very clear. You can use masking tape, some hard foam pad and for the scope some shims or coins.
So take the scope out the mount and use the masking tape and shims or coins to get and idea where the scope needs to go.
In my experience the mini can use low rings if they work with your base. Dont need to spend a lot and if you want qd rings the UTG pro made in the usa work great and hold zero.
The lower you are the better so might not even need comb raiser but also use the mask tape if you need so slightly.
Once you feel great about where everything is then it is time to order according to the measures you need. The closest the scope optical center is to the bore the better so the less we raise unnecessarily the better that is why start with the scope and/or sights before anything else.
The key is that we configure the firearm to fit ones anatomy and not the other way around.
It is like going to the tailor to get a suit custom fit.
Eyes closed, get a cozzy feeling, open your eyes and then perfect sight picture.
That is why I suggest to get the scope first and then do the measuring before ordering bases, rings, cheek pads, etc...
Makes sense?

 

[Catskillkid]

Definitely makes sense, @meketrefe and thanks for the advice.

For what it's worth I just got back in from taking the Mini's new optics for a spin, sans cheek riser. Overall, I'm very happy once the adjustments were made, though would have done way better with a better check weld for sure. I'll be experimenting over the next several days to see what's the most comfortable position for me. Thanks for the advice everyone. Really appreciate it!

 

[meketrefe]

NP. the comb is designed for the iron sights for most people so the closest you get to that line the better.
Otherwise one might be stretching too much and then it is harder to get consistent.
My buddy got a mount that goes right in line with the iron sights. Then low rigns. Still needs a tad of padding
to get a proper posture. A gun smilth will do a comb raiser but they can be expensive. Another way is
a kydex wrap with a couple of screws. but one could go with hockey tape in a nice color or one of those
uncle mike neoprene with a bit of padding but you need the tape inside so it doesn't move.

 

[Depick]

Run a few snap caps through it pretty fast that should give you an idea of what your in for. I didn't have any issues with mine and I used the rings from Ruger which were much closer to the ejection port.

 

[Catskillkid]

Kind of a random question, but does anyone use loctite on their scope ring screws? I didn't and they started coming lose toward the end of my shooting session. I'm reluctant to do so because then it's pretty permanent that the optics stay on that set of rings.

 

[Paxal]

So I just recently purchased a GG&G Mounting Rail for my Mini-14 as well as a new Leupold Scope (see picture below). Everything mounted well so I'm happy in that arena, but looking at it I'm concerned that extracted brass are going to fly up and fit the scope. What do you all think? Anyone have problems with a similar set-up?
View attachment 2770

I never had a problem with the same set up.

 

[Robin]

Iv'e never used it for scope rings but I have used a low temp locktite on screws that I knew I would have to remove eventually. I heated up the screw driver and held it in the screw a couple times before twisting and it broke free, no problem.
Robin

 

[togmaster]

Loctite (blue) on all of my scope hardware.

 

[meketrefe]

With rings make sure they are true, If they are not then might need some lapping.
Remove any stupid nylon fabric and clean them really well. Then use blue locktite as mentioned by togmaster
and torque wrench w/o exceeding the maximum specified by the manufacturer.
Also to level the scope use a boresighter and a masonry plum to make sure reticle is parallel to the vertical line
between the bore and the optical center.
If you can clamp the rifle and have a vertical line painted in a wall then you can avoid the boresighter if the irons
are zeroed but it would be a more coarse adjustment.
Take your time to do it right. There are so many sights and optics poorly mounted.

 

[Catskillkid]

Just wanted to give a quick update. I put new low-rise rings on and I like them a lot more. I'm still not getting the best cheek weld so I'm going to have to get a cheek riser to help compensate for that. My busy season is coming up so any additional adjustments will likely have to be a winter project. Oh well something to look forward to. Thanks again for the advice everyone.

 

[freddy]

An alternative is an Ultimak rail and long eye relief scope (eg: Burris 2x7). That combo provides a proper cheek weld.

 

[Rondo223]

One thing I would recommend is to pick up some buffers to cushion the op rod. The mini is known for being rough on scopes. I put one on my Ranch rifle back in the lat '80s and it only took a few mags worth to grenade it.