The 7 Best Scopes for Mini 14 in 2021
Photo: thetruthaboutguns.com
The Mini 14 is a lightweight .223 caliber semi-automatic rifle that is quite popular due to its power, precision, and reliability.
If you want to achieve these qualities though, you need to fit the gun with a scope. That said, the rifle has a range of about 200 yds, although this is primarily determined by the rounds you use.
With this, you need a scope that has a range of at least 200 yds and a magnification of at least 2x. To get an effective one, we have reviewed the best scopes for Mini 14 to consider buying.
7 Best Scopes for Mini 14 – Review
|
IMAGE |
PRODUCT |
FEATURES |
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
1. UTG EZ-TAP (Best Overall) |
|
|
|
|
2. Nikon P-223 (Best Budget) |
|
|
|
|
3. Burris Optics 200183 (High Magnification) |
|
|
|
|
4. Vortex CF2-31001 (Best V-Plex Reticle) |
|
|
|
|
5. Bushnell AR93940 (Has Fully Multicoated Optics) |
|
|
|
|
6. Vortex Diamondback (Durable Scope) |
|
|
|
|
7. Redfield 67085 (Has Accu-Range Reticle) |
|
|
PRODUCT |
|---|
|
1. UTG EZ-TAP (Best Overall) |
|
2. Nikon P-223 (Best Budget) |
|
3. Burris Optics 200183 (High Magnification) |
|
4. Vortex CF2-31001 (Best V-Plex Reticle) |
|
5. Bushnell AR93940 (Has Fully Multicoated Optics) |
|
6. Vortex Diamondback (Durable Scope) |
|
7. Redfield 67085 (Has Accu-Range Reticle) |
1. UTG EZ-TAP – Best Overall
Photo: UTG
- Objective Lens: 44mm
- Magnification: 3-12x
- Eye Relief: 3.4 in.
Starting off the list it UTG’s EZ-TAP, which is the overall best scope because it features Illumination Enhancing technology. This tech is built into the reticle system so as to provide a 36-color multi-mode operation.
The result is a colorful sight that is clearly visible in low light and in any weather condition for accurate aiming. It is also very helpful to color-blind users because they can find a palette that is visible in their eyes.
That said, the scope is equipped with a mil-dot reticle. Though this reticle type requires some complex calculations so as to make adjustments, it allows you to enhance your accuracy performance to very precise shooting.
This reticle has 11 aiming points for windage or elevation, which is more than the 9 that most regular mil-dot reticles provide.
Other features include 2 flip-open lens caps, sealed and nitrogen-filled optics for water, shock and fog proof performance, a parallax-free view from 10 yds going onwards, an angled front sunshade and heavy-duty rings for easy mounting on Picatinny/Weaver rails.
Pros:
Cons:
2. Nikon P-223 – Best Budget
Photo: Nikon
- Objective Lens: 40mm
- Magnification: 3-9x
- Eye Relief: 3.6 in.
- Scope Range: 600 yds
If you are on a tight budget, Nikon’s P-223 is the most affordable scope for Mini 14 in this review. Despite this, the product is well equipped for the job, featuring a BDC 600 reticle that is specifically designed for the trajectory of .223 caliber rounds.
This reticle offers open circle aiming points and hash marks from a minimum of 100 to a maximum of 600 yds.
You also get a fully multicoated optical system that transmits up to 98% of light for enhanced brightness, nitrogen-filled and O-ring sealed optics, a 100-yd parallax setting for accurate shooting and 1/4 MOA click adjustments with zero-reset tactical-style turrets.
The only issue is that this piece lacks lens caps for covering the lens when not in use.
Pros:
Cons:
3. Burris Optics 200183 – High Magnification
Photo: Burris
- Objective Lens: 42mm
- Magnification: 4.5-14x
- Eye Relief: 3.1-3.8 in.
- Scope Range: 500 yds
Burris Optics’ 200183 is characterized by a high magnification rate that starts at 4.5x to up to 14x. This helps to enhance long-range accuracy while a parallax adjustment setting reduces alignment errors for improved accuracy.
The scope is also quite versatile because it features a ballistic plex reticle, which is a simple yet effective trajectory-compensating reticle for hunting. This means it can be matched with any bullet weight or caliber rifle.
Other features include Hi-Lume multicoated lenses that allow in as much light as possible, a durable single-piece tube construction and reinforced quad-seal gas seals for shock, water and fog proofing.
However, you don’t get an angled sunshade design to help prevent flares from obstructing your view.
Pros:
Cons:
4. Vortex CF2-31001 – Best V-Plex Reticle Scope
Photo: Vortex
- Objective Lens: 32mm
- Magnification: 2-7x
- Eye Relief: 3.9 in.
This CF2-31001 is fitted with a V-Plex MOA reticle, which is a second focal plane reticle that is located closer to the eyepiece and behind the magnifying lenses. This placement ensures the crosshairs don’t change in size even as you change the magnification.
The scope also has a long eye relief of 3.9 in., as well as a forgiving eye box, which enables you to quickly acquire your target. You also get anti-reflective, fully multi-coated lenses that create a clear field of view for easy targeting.
Other features include a sturdy 1-piece aircraft-grade aluminum construction, nitrogen-filled optics for fog-proof performance and an O-ring seal for waterproofing. On the downside, you get a relatively low magnification of 2-7x.
Pros:
Cons:
5. Bushnell AR93940 – with Fully Multicoated Optics
Photo: Bushnell
- Objective Lens: 40mm
- Magnification: 3-9x
- Eye Relief: 3.7 in.
- Scope Range: 500 yds
Bushnell’s AR93940 is fitted with fully multicoated optics, which allow lots of light to pass through so as to give a high contrast field of view.
On the inside is a drop zone ballistic reticle, which is specifically calibrated for .223 caliber, 55-62 grain rounds, with aiming points going up to 500 yds.
With this range, you get a side focus parallax adjustment knob, which enhances accuracy, while a fast-focus eyepiece gives you a crisp field of view shortly after making any adjustments.
Other features include a sturdy aluminum alloy construction, an anodized finish for maximum durability, precise 1/4 MOA click adjustments and sealed, nitrogen-filled optics for water, shock and fog proofing.
The only problem is that the reticle is not illuminated for easy reading in low light.
Pros:
Cons:
6. Vortex Diamondback – Durable
Photo: Vortex
- Objective Lens: 32, 40, 50mm
- Magnification: 1.75-5x, 3-9x, 3.5-10x, 4-12x
- Eye Relief: 3.1-3.5 in.
With its solid 1-piece tube design, Vortex’s Diamondback is very sturdy and durable. Additionally, it tops this off with a hard-anodized finish, which prevents rust, shock proofs the piece and helps in camouflaging the shooter’s position.
The unit is equipped with a Dead-Hold second focal plane BDC reticle, which does not change in size with the magnification. It also has a customized dot design that helps to eliminate the inaccuracies involved with holdover.
You also get multicoated lenses that allow as much light in as possible so as to give you a bright field of view even in low light, a 100-yd parallax setting and precise 1/4 MOA click adjustments with 70 MOA max adjustment on the elevation and windage.
Other features include a fast-focus eyepiece that gives you a clearly visible field of view shortly after making adjustments, argon-filled optics for fog-proof performance, an O-ring seal that ensures no water seeps through and a precision glide erector for accurate tracking.
This scope is actually available in multiple sizes but all of them are quite costly.
Pros:
Cons:
7. Redfield 67085 – with an Accu-Range Reticle
Photo: Redfield
- Objective Lens: 33mm
- Magnification: 2-7x
- Eye Relief: 3.7-4.9 in.
As compared to the Vortex CF2-31001 , the Redfield 67085 is equipped with an Accu-Range reticle, which contains a small circle at the crosshairs and a single dot on the line vertically below the circle.
This layout offers a couple of aiming points on the vertical hair, which are ideal for compensating for the bullet drop so as to enhance accuracy.
Also included is a rapid target acquisition eyepiece that has a lockable setting, a generous eye relief of 3.7-4.9 in. for safe viewing, multicoated lenses that enhance light and color transmission and 1/4 MOA adjustments with a maximum of 65 MOA settings on windage and elevation.
The scope is also fully waterproof and shockproof but the problem is that it has a relatively low magnification that only goes up to 7x.
Pros:
Cons:
How to Buy the Best Scope for Mini 14
1. Parallax and Magnification
Mini 14 rifles are not designed for long-range shooting. Ideally, you can hit a target that is up to 100 yds using iron sights but with a proper scope, you can extend your range up to 200 yds. However, even hitting a target that is 200 yds away using this gun is pushing the limits.
Therefore, a very high magnification power that exceeds 14x might be too much and not ideal for this gun. The best scope should have a reasonable magnification range that can go from a low of about 4x to a high of about 14x. For this, check out Burris Optics’ 200183 .
As for parallax, this is the error caused by the displacement of the apparent position of a target due to changing viewing angles as you move your eye behind the scope. This means that the rifle might be spot on the target but your view through the crosshairs might be off.
Parallax adjustment rectifies this and the best scope should be able to make these adjustments from the shortest distance possible. For instance, UTG’s EZ-TAP offers parallax adjustment from 10 yds going onwards, making it very practical.
2. Mounting
With regard to mounting, a Mini 14 scope should be easy to install above your rifle and for this, you need installation attachments. Taking UTG’s EZ-TAP as an example, it comes with heavy-duty rings, which allow for easy mounting on Picatinny or Weaver rails.
3. Lens
A scope’s lens should be large enough so as to allow as much light in as possible. This helps to create a bright field of view with highly contrasting images. For instance, with Vortex’s Diamondback, there is a large 50mm size, which is highly recommended.
The unit also has multicoated lenses, which further improve the brightness of the view. This makes it ideal to use in low light such as during dusk or dawn.
You should also check if the lenses are filled with inert gases (nitrogen or argon) for fog-proof performance, and sealed to prevent water leaks. This is quite standard among most scopes but you should check to confirm.
4. Reticle
Apart from checking the lens, you need to check the reticle, which is available in different types. There is the Accu-range reticle in Redfield’s 67085 and V-Plex Reticle in Vortex’s CF2-31001 , which have different features.
However, the mil-dot reticle in UTG’s EZ-TAP stands out because it has multiple aiming points (11) and is more accurate, though it requires some complex calculations.
Additionally, this reticle is illuminated by a 36-color multi-mode technology, which gives a better view of the target in low light and in any weather condition.
5. Eye Relief
Eye relief is important to consider due to recoil. Ideally, the longer it is, the better because this gives more room to keep your eyebrow safe from being hit.
In this case, Redfield’s 67085 offers a very generous eye relief that goes up to 4.9 in. This ensures that you have a clear and focused field of view while observing through the lens at a safe distance of close to 5 in. back.
6. Elevation and Windage Knobs
Elevation and windage knobs (or turrets) are responsible for making the necessary lens adjustments so that you can accurately hit the target. These adjustments are made in clicks and each click corresponds to a certain distance at the target.
With Nikon’s P-223 (1/4 MOA), each click represents a quarter-inch movement on the field of view at 100 yds. This is important to understand so that you know how many clicks you need in order to have your target at the crosshairs.
Another thing to check is the maximum adjustment. Vortex’s Diamondback has 70 MOA max adjustment, which gives it more flexibility as you make your settings as compared to the 65 MOA in Redfield’s 67085 .
7. Construction
Lastly, a scope’s construction has a direct impact on its durability. Vortex’s Diamondback has a solid 1-piece build that is very tough. This design is further coated in a hard-anodized finish, which prevents rust and shock proofs the unit. This is highly recommended for long-lasting use.
Conclusion
In conclusion, you can get your best scope for Mini 14 from the list above but UTG’s EZ-TAP stands out as the overall best because of its multicolored mil-dot reticle. This has 11 aiming points for accurate target acquisition. It also comes with mounting rings for easy installation.
However, if you want a high magnification scope so as to clearly view distant objects, we recommend Burris Optics’ 200183 because it has up to 14x magnification. If you are a bit short on cash though, be sure to check out Nikon’s P-223 .