My dad wants to scope his Mini 14. Main purpose varmints and plinking. Price range around $500. It would also need to illuminte. Thanks

Leupold VX-Freedom, SKUs either 177225 or 1777226.

Thanks, I will check them out

I'm a huge Burris fan. I've had so many Burris's I can't remember them all, from all USA-made Signatures, to current Philippines-produced Burris's. The Philippine produced scopes are as good or better than any of the scopes they made in the US.

So I'd recommend the Burris Fullfield E1. I've got several, some on some hard and moderate recoiling rifles, one on a .22, and they are exceptional. It's well under your price threshold. It's got a 1-piece tube. Optics are exceptional. And I really like the ballistic plex reticle. You don't have to turn the whole eye-piece to focus; it's got a separate focus ring. And they hold zero. They are built like tanks inside, among the strongest built scopes on the market.

https://www.burrisoptics.com/s...field-e1-riflescopes

I may look for quality in the 4.5-14 power range. I generally like a simple duplex over a busier reticle for most shooting, even up to prairie dogging.