Scout rifle optics

[AgentPickle]

Fans of the Scout rifle know that our optics choices are fairly limited. Here is a comparison I did on the 2 available Burris scopes which I believe are the best choices still on the market. Aside from the Burris/Leupold are there any other goo options?
Scout Scope Shootout

 

[CraigC]

Vortex and Crimson Trace also have scout scopes but I think the 2-7x class is too much. I prefer the Leupold 1.5-4x.

 

[chicharrones]

I like scout scopes in certain applications, and those applications don’t have to be based on the Cooper defined Scout rifle.

After trying scout scopes in different rifle applications, I currently like a Burris 2.75x Scout on my Marlin 1894 CSBL and a 4x Weaver Scout on my Zastava .22 Magnum Carbine. Neither are “Scout” rifles, but those scopes suit those particular guns pretty dang well.

 

[chicharrones]

regarding the poll, I vote for all of the above.

 

[trackskippy]

Ive had a couple of different guns set up as Scouts. Ive used Scout scopes and red dots on them. Ive had both the Leupold and Burris Scout scopes, and of the two, preferred the Leupolds. For some silly reason, that extra .25x of the Burris just bugged me.

I do like the Scout scopes and the idea behind them. I like stripper fed bolt guns and they work great there. Im not a fan of having anything over 2.5x power wise though.

They can and do have issues too. Like peep sights, with light coming in low over your shoulder from behind, you can lose your sight picture due to the light, which can be annoying.

I think it all depends on what youre doing with it and want out of the gun what decides whats the best choice.

I had a Springfield SOCOM and tried the Scout scope on it and it basically sucked. At least using the factory mount, which is basically junk. Its made of steel, which gets hot and holds the heat, and it puts the optic too high for any kind of realistic shooting. It also wasn't Picatinny spec, which made getting mounts to work a problem. If I were to do that again, Id put an Ultimak rail on it.

I also put (after a bit of struggle with mounts) one of my Aimpoints on it, and that was the better way to go here. Still not great though. Best thing for it would be to again to replace the factory rail with an Ultimak and then use the red dot, or replace the factory irons with regular M14 type sights and skip the optics all together.

Ive tried Scout setups on a couple of Winchester Trappers and ended up liking the XS ghost ring rear sight the best. The Scout scopes were OK, and the red dots were better, but both of those just took all the handiness out of the gun and were more annoying to me than anything else. Some things just arent meant for it.

Ive tried it on both AK and AR rifles, and in both of those cases, prefer the red dots on them over the scopes. And I still prefer the red dots as far forward on them as practical too. The low/no power optics spot is best up front, where it works well.

For me, if I were to do another, Id go with an old stripper fed Mauser action with a straight bolt as a base with a 16"-18" barrel in 308. A Leupold scope mounted as low as I could get it, and put it in a stock meant for iron sights with a short LOP and checkered steel butt plate on it. Add a true Ching Sling and Id be happy. .

 

[d2wing]

The scout set-up doesn't work for me. I do use pistol scopes on pistols sometimes, but I can't see outside of the scope and through it at the same time so no point for me. I can with a red dot in the normal position.

 

[Land Cruiser]

I like scout scopes in certain applications, and those applications don’t have to be based on the Cooper defined Scout rifle.

After trying scout scopes in different rifle applications, I currently like a Burris 2.75x Scout on my Marlin 1894 CSBL and a 4x Weaver Scout on my Zastava .22 Magnum Carbine. Neither are “Scout” rifles, but those scopes suit those particular guns pretty dang well.

chicharrones where on your Marlin 1894 do you have the Burris 2.75 Scout scope mounted? Thanks.

 

[sparkyv]

I have my Scout setup with a forward mounted Vortex scope, but with QD rings so I can quickly use the ghost ring sights in a pinch. I really like this rig.

 

[JeffG]

It depends on the use of the rifle. Scout applications in the Cooper idea, obviously scout scopes. For most traditional missions like hunting, well, traditional. Scout scopes don't help much with judging trophies, and picking hole in the brush to shoot through.

 

[3Crows]

I like scout scopes for certain applications. I like my Marlin 1895 SBL, bears, dinosaurs, with a Burris 2.75X:



My Savage .308 Scout rifle, deer and hogs, Vortex 2-7:



And pretty good on my Benjamin 392, raging HOSPs and starlings, 2.5X pistol scope:

 

[chicharrones]

chicharrones where on your Marlin 1894 do you have the Burris 2.75 Scout scope mounted? Thanks.

On an XS Lever Rail as seen in the pics below.

 

[jmr40]

Some will argue that it isn't a true scout with a conventional scope mounted over the receiver, but I'd put a small 1-4X20 or similar scope just that way. The only reason Cooper ever wanted the scope mounted in front of the receiver was to be able to top load the military surplus rifles he was using with stripper clips. Other than being able to top load the rifle there are no advantages for the scope to be out there. Only disadvantages.

With most modern rifles that use detachable magazines there is no reason to handicap yourself with the scope mounted in front of the receiver.

 

[CraigC]

Some will argue that it isn't a true scout with a conventional scope mounted over the receiver, but I'd put a small 1-4X20 or similar scope just that way. The only reason Cooper ever wanted the scope mounted in front of the receiver was to be able to top load the military surplus rifles he was using with stripper clips. Other than being able to top load the rifle there are no advantages for the scope to be out there. Only disadvantages.

With most modern rifles that use detachable magazines there is no reason to handicap yourself with the scope mounted in front of the receiver.

That is incorrect and it's not a handicap at all. There are no disadvantages, it's part of the system. The original concept centered around the Remington 600. Stripper clips came in later. The point of the forward mounted scope was multi-faceted. One, to get it as low as possible, power than possible if mounted on the receiver, on a similar plane as the backup iron sights. Two, to shoot with both eyes open and have the scope cover as little of the target area as possible. Three, to be out of the way of the rear receiver sight. Four, to facilitate one-handed carrying at the barrel/receiver junction.

Detachable magazines that hang down below the receiver are counter to the slick bottom scout rifle concept but a concession made to gain capacity.

 

[3Crows]

There is no handicap on the rifles I have selected a scout configuration for.

With the Marlin the Burris scout scope prevents the relatively light 1895 from coming back and scoping me with full power lever gun loads. The forward scout scope allows me to palm carry the lever gun without interference and it can be quickly removed for reversion to open sights.

On the Savage, the Vortex scout is quick, fast and detachable for reversion to irons.

The Benjamin 392, lol, it is nearly impossible to pump this Steroid modded rifle 12 pumps with a scope over the breech. Maybe if one is built like a gorrila.

Edit to add, I really never followed Mr. Cooper or even knew who he was until fairly recent. His considerations on clips, engaging two and four legged adversaries and all of that silliness has nothing to do with my preference for the scout scope on certain rifles and purposes. What I do care about are practical things like not getting hit in the face by the scope, quick target acquisition and very low mounted to the bore axis and ability to remove the scope and revert to standard sights. Where these things do not come into play, I prefer a standard scope but still with generous eye relief.

 

[ECVMatt]

I did not click on the video as it seems like the OP is here to promote his YouTube channel, but I am OK with scout scopes, prefer traditionally mounted scopes and love shooting with a good set of irons.

 

[BreechFace]

@chicharrones

What rings and heights on that 1894 with the Burris?

That looks perfect for a scout setup. A lever in 45-70 is about the only scout setup that interests me.

 

[chicharrones]

@chicharrones

What rings and heights on that 1894 with the Burris?

That looks perfect for a scout setup. A lever in 45-70 is about the only scout setup that interests me.

Quad-Lock medium height Weaver rings.

But, due to lack of good clearance for scope caps, you ought to consider the Warne rings used by @3Crows in post #10 for an XS lever rail.

 

[Artg56]

Works well for me on a 1894, you have yours a bit further forward but I can still carry it comfortably by the receiver.

I used rings I had in my spare’s box meaning to change them out, those quad rings look good and are $5.00 cheaper on Amazon

 

[chicharrones]

Works well for me on a 1894, you have yours a bit further forward but I can still carry it comfortably by the receiver.

I used rings I had in my spare’s box meaning to change them out, those quad rings look good and are $5.00 cheaper on Amazon

I think I have a turkey neck because I had to set the scope as far as those rings could go and I had to reinstall the 1" recoil pad back on my 1894 for a usable eye relief range.

I could have moved the scope a smidge further forward if I had used Burris Zee rings like you appear to have on your gun.

 

[Nature Boy]

Not a fan

 

[bearcreek]

What differentiates a "scout" rifle with a traditionally mounted optic from any other carbine with a traditionally mounted optic?

 

[chicharrones]

Well, this is just a scout scope thread, not really a scout rifle thread. Scout scopes do have uses besides being mounted on Cooper defined scout rifles.

 

[bearcreek]

Well, this is just a scout scope thread, not really a scout rifle thread. Scout scopes do have uses besides being mounted on Cooper defined scout rifles.

Sorta. The thread title is "Scout Rifle Optics". Can a traditionally positioned scope be a "scout" scope? If so, what qualifies it for the title? What makes it not just a regular scope?

 

[3Crows]

I think the scout nomenclature carries with it some baggage. Maybe just call them forward mounted scopes or long eye relief scopes that are mounted forward of the receiver rather than over it or on the barrel.

 

[chicharrones]

Sorta. The thread title is "Scout Rifle Optics". Can a traditionally positioned scope be a "scout" scope? If so, what qualifies it for the title? What makes it not just a regular scope?

Scout scope is simply a more easily recognized and easier to say name for an extended eye relief scope.

It doesn’t mean that mounting one on a firearm magically makes that firearm a Scout rifle.

Traditionally mounted scopes are not extended eye relief scopes.