Using conventional scope with Ruger scout rifle or a higher power scope

[rhino62]

I noticed that Wolverine carries the GG&G SOCOM II Accucam QD Scope Mount with 30mm Integral Rings and was wondering if anyone has tried using one with a Ruger Scout rifle, since it might then be possible to use a conventional scope without have to remove the rear Ghost ring site.

 

[Grodz]

Another option is the XS Sights full-length rail:
http://www.xssights.com/index.php?nID=scopemounts&cID=Scope Mounts&pID=scopemounts

It allows the full range of eye relief (from Scout to Conventional scopes), and retains the rear ghost ring. It also allows the scope to be mounted lower than with the SOCOM 2 cantilever mount (better cheekweld).

I just wish I could find a Canadian dealer who sells it.

 

[rhino62]

XS Sight

Another option is the XS Sights full-length rail:
http://www.xssights.com/index.php?nID=scopemounts&cID=Scope Mounts&pID=scopemounts

It allows the full range of eye relief (from Scout to Conventional scopes), and retains the rear ghost ring. It also allows the scope to be mounted lower than with the SOCOM 2 cantilever mount (better cheekweld).

I just wish I could find a Canadian dealer who sells it.

You can order from Brownalls when it is in stock since it is $81 i.e. less than $100 ITAR restriction

 

[rhino62]

I originally started this thread since I wanted to put a higher power scope on a Ruger Scout and still be able to use the iron sights,as a result of prior experience when using a Ruger Frontier when hunting. However I have since found out that you can get a variable 2-7 long eye relief scope. Wolverine stocks the Hi-Lux 2-7 long eye relief scout scope which would most likely would work on the Ruger Scout or on any rifle with a scout mount.

 

[RSA1]

Scope on Ruger Scout

I have a Bushnell Elite 6500 1.25-8x32 on my Ruger Scout rifle, using the original short rail which came with the rifle. At the moment it is in 30mm Leupold QRW Medium rings, with the quick release levers on the left side. These sold for $74.94 at Ellwood Epps. I have since obtained similar Low rings low rings, but because the medium works so well, I have not replaced them. My first of these scopes set me back over $600, but then I found a few at LeBaron for $372.94! I have also used ones on my 9,3x62 Tikka and my 375 Ruger Hawkeye.

This setup allows me to keep the ghost ring, and on the 1.25x use the scope as in a scout rifle. The rear ring has the crossbar in the very rear groove on the rail, and the front ring in the 4th cross groove. For my eyes the scope works well to a magnification up to about 5x, then a black ring starts showing in the rear lens, because the scope sits well forward. If I take my time, and even when using bags / rests, the 8x works well. I am 6'2" tall, so a longer neck helps.

Also, I have not added any spacers and shoot the rifle as it came in March last year. I have just obtained "plastic" mags whith the dust covers. I like these better, having rounded corners, and being much cheaper.

The main advantages of this set up are:
1) No need to buy another rail. Can buy more ammo
2) The short rail is lighter: No need for more weight on a 308 rifle
3) The action is more open and not clutered by the extended rail: this makes it much easier to load ammo into the open action (see page 16 of the Ruger manual), one of Jeff Cooper's original requirements of a scout rifle.

I also make a point of transporting my rifle to the range with the scope removed. I then first fire shots using the open sights / ghost ring, and then replace the scope and fire some more. This way I get used to replacing the scope, and can get used to any changes in POI. Point Of Impact does not change significantly for normal hunting use.

With 150gr Accubond reloads, the rifle is consistent Sub-MOA over a rest.

Enjoy your Ruger Rifles

 

[rhino62]

I have a Bushnell Elite 6500 1.25-8x32 on my Ruger Scout rifle, using the original short rail which came with the rifle. At the moment it is in 30mm Leupold QRW Medium rings, with the quick release levers on the left side. These sold for $74.94 at Ellwood Epps. I have since obtained similar Low rings low rings, but because the medium works so well, I have not replaced them. My first of these scopes set me back over $600, but then I found a few at LeBaron for $372.94! I have also used ones on my 9,3x62 Tikka and my 375 Ruger Hawkeye.

This setup allows me to keep the ghost ring, and on the 1.25x use the scope as in a scout rifle. The rear ring has the crossbar in the very rear groove on the rail, and the front ring in the 4th cross groove. For my eyes the scope works well to a magnification up to about 5x, then a black ring starts showing in the rear lens, because the scope sits well forward. If I take my time, and even when using bags / rests, the 8x works well. I am 6'2" tall, so a longer neck helps.

Also, I have not added any spacers and shoot the rifle as it came in March last year. I have just obtained "plastic" mags whith the dust covers. I like these better, having rounded corners, and being much cheaper.

The main advantages of this set up are:
1) No need to buy another rail. Can buy more ammo
2) The short rail is lighter: No need for more weight on a 308 rifle
3) The action is more open and not clutered by the extended rail: this makes it much easier to load ammo into the open action (see page 16 of the Ruger manual), one of Jeff Cooper's original requirements of a scout rifle.

I also make a point of transporting my rifle to the range with the scope removed. I then first fire shots using the open sights / ghost ring, and then replace the scope and fire some more. This way I get used to replacing the scope, and can get used to any changes in POI. Point Of Impact does not change significantly for normal hunting use.

With 150gr Accubond reloads, the rifle is consistent Sub-MOA over a rest.

Enjoy your Ruger Rifles

I found this very interesting since the Bushnell has 6" of eye relief which is quite a bit more than normal for a conventional scope, were as the Leupold 2.5 Scout scope it is 9.3". I notice a quite a number of Bushnell hand gun scopes have eye relief specified as between 9 - 13". I don't know if it is better to have to much or to little eye relief on a scope when mounted on the scout rail.

 

[rhino62]

I ended up using the Bushnell Elite 6500 1.25-8x32 on my Ruger Scout rifle. I originally mounted it the same as RSA1 but changed it to use an American Defense Recon Scout mount, since I found I needed the scope a little closer at the higher magnifications. The cost of the American defense mount is about the same as the cost of an XS rail and a set of quick detach 30 mm rings. The American defense mounts are stocked by the "Shooting Edge" and are available in a number of different models with two different cantilever sizes (The cantilever on this one is 1.9" approx which is the shorter of the two). The bearing surface of the scope mount to the rail is approximately 2.5 times that of a conventional set of rings attached to the rifle receiver, for those who wonder how rigid this arrangement is.