scout scopes, for those of you with scout rifles, marlin SBL?GBL etc.

[cody c]

Just curious to hear some feedback regarding folks who use these forward mounted scout scope setups?

What do you like, what don't you like? What magnifications have you tried and prefer or dislike? Any issues with paralax with a forward mounting, how do you find it effects the weight/handling of the rifle etc?

Curious to hear all the pro's and con's from those who knows.

 

[dand883]

I haven't used scout scopes a lot, so let others chime in before you make up your mind one way or the other.

I find for selection, there is very little to choose from. I mostly see fixed 2x, 4x, or 2-7, but not much else other than that. I like variable scopes, so i went 2-7, and so far (only two short range trips) i haven't noticed anything odd in terms of parralax issues or weight balancing issues, but i is mounted on a mosin, so the weight is minimal compared to the rifle itself.

One big thing i don't like about scout scopes is that they seem to take up a lot more room in the cabinet the way they rest while leaning with the scope that far forward. This won't be a problem if you've got lots of room, but if things are cramped already, it will get even more cramped.

 

[Northman999]

I've used scout scopes on a handful of rifles. I find them quite handy overall, and fine for use out to 300 meters or so.

I don't like the 2.5x scopes myself - too little magnification.

4x scopes are very good overall.

2-7x are my favorite, but there are less of them around, and they cost more than your fixed 4x.

No parralax issues I've seen. Your rifles are slightly more front heavy once set up, but I've never found it to be an issue.

 

[cody c]

interesting, what brand/model scope did you guys use in 2-7?

 

[Northman999]

My 2-7 is an NCstar. I know the're cheap, but I actually own three NCstar scout scopes and I've never had an issue with them. My 2-7 sits on an M44 Mosin Nagant and it's a great combo. I think Burris and Leupold do make 2-7 scout scopes, but they were in the $400 range last time I checked; if you can find one.

 

[dand883]

interesting, what brand/model scope did you guys use in 2-7?

I wasn't sure how i would feel about a scout scope, so i got a cheapo ncstar to try it out, and if i liked it i would upgrade to a better one later. So far it's held up, but it hasn't been used a whole lot to really test it.

Other than that i think leupold or simmons is about the only two that i can think of off the top of my head that even make a variable scout scope, there may be others around, but they don't seem to do a very good job marketing them as scout scopes, you almost have to dig through model by model and look at the eye relief in the details.

 

[cody c]

I spent some time on opticsplanet looking at scopes, looks like the BSA 2-7 X 32 would fit the bill and for the price, also Nikon makes some decent looking scopes, but I think if a guy is having a hard time finding a scope perhaps we should look at pistol scopes, as they are meant to be used similarily to a scout scope.

Only thing is, I would be interested in seeing one in a 30mm tube without a really large front bell to it. Other then the tactical types without magnification I havent seen much for 30mm's.

 

[jjohnwm]

Be careful when considering a pistol scope for scout rifle use. Some of them work well, but others have too much eye relief. Best bet would be to try the scope in question on the gun for which you want it, but obviously that isn't always possible. At the very least, you should shoulder your rifle and then actually measure the distance from your eye to the spot where you want the eyepiece to be, so you will have something to compare to the specs supplied by the manufacturer. In my case (long arms, giraffe neck) I need a minimum of 11 inches of eye relief in order to place the eyepiece forward of the ejection port on my Steyr, but any more than 13 inches and mounting becomes a problem on most guns. Some pistol scopes fall into this window, but many don't. The Marlin SBL is very easy to find a scope for, because the solid top receiver means you can mount it closer to your eye than would be ideal on a bolt gun. I have a Burris scout scope on my SBL and it's perfect. I also have an aftermarket scout mount on a Marlin 1894, but use it with a Leupold 1-4x20 regular rifle scope. This puts the eyepiece just forward of the hammer, allowing for very low mounting, but it's too far forward for anyone much shorter than I am. There are also scopes marketed for muzzleloaders or shotguns, and many of them have eye relief in the 6-inch range, which can work well in this application

Lots of variables in play. The more carefully you consider them, the happier you are likely to be.

 

[burnsy56]

I've used a Leupold 2.5 scout scope on both an SBL and Steyr scout in the past. I liked it on the lever but not on the bolt. In essence, I think they are faster than iron sites and accurate in low light, short range dense bush conditions-exactly where I would use the lever. However, for longer ranges, I found it too difficult to judge an animal in the open conditions I used the Steyr. I ended up scoping the bolt conventionally because I needed more magnification. Also, in open conditions I had to be careful of back-lit glare when the sun was low at either dawn or dusk.

 

[cody c]

I've used a Leupold 2.5 scout scope on both an SBL and Steyr scout in the past. I liked it on the lever but not on the bolt. In essence, I think they are faster than iron sites and accurate in low light, short range dense bush conditions-exactly where I would use the lever. However, for longer ranges, I found it too difficult to judge an animal in the open conditions I used the Steyr. I ended up scoping the bolt conventionally because I needed more magnification. Also, in open conditions I had to be careful of back-lit glare when the sun was low at either dawn or dusk.

Your guys's experience and advice is invaluable, I never even considered that you would get more glare or reflection when the scope is further up the barrel, when it's closer your likely to block the light but not so much when you mount it further away.

Usually if possible it's nice to pick your walk with the sun at your back instead of your eyes in the evening, well at least in the thicker bush, it's easy to skyline ya along a ridge. Perhaps that would be a disadvantage to mounting a scope too far forwards.

All excellent perceptions so far, you folks are painting an excellent picture of what works and what doesn't.

 

[rhs]

Burris makes a 2-7 as well. I have had one mounted on my M14S for a couple years now. Works well in that application since I didn't want to drill my stock for a cheek riser. Not sure I wouldn't just go with a low power conventional for a bolt or lever gun. I like an Aimpoint Micro on my lever for bush work under 100yds.

 

[kaleh01]

I ran an Aimpoint red dot on my SBL and it worked great as it was a 200 yard rifle for me and the dot was all I needed. You can also add a magnifier to 3x if you wish but I never did.

Wish I never sold that gun.