M1a Scout scope

[walker77]

Any recommendations for a scope for a 18" M1A?

Ive been looking at the Viper PST 1-4x24. Not sure if i would be limiting myself if i went with it.

 

[Name Enough]

I have a Leupold 2x8 -32 mm LER on mine. Work just fine but I don't know if the Viper PST is a long relief scope or not. I think it has a 4" eye relief and could not be mounted as a Scout Scope. If you plan to mount on an Arms or Smith mount and use a regular scope it would depend on what you want to do with rifle. I used to have an M1A loaded with a nice Zeiss mounted on it on a Arms mount and it worked just fine. I never shot beyond 300 yards with it as that is where my skill level lies.

 

[Crosshair]

Are you wanting to mount a forward optic, or mount a regular optic on a m1a Scout? If doing a "scout scope", the Burris 2.75x is probably the best scout scope on the market, at least in my reading. Also Leupold makes some nice ones. I don't think there is much point in going over 4x, the field of view on scout scopes are a fraction of regular setups. Eye relief is generally inversely proportional to Field of view. Shooting with both eyes open is the advantage, witch can be done fine with a regular scope up to 3x (for me anyway). If you are asking about what scope for a regular mount, there are endless ones to choose from. I think the sweet spot for m1a scopes are 2-7, 3-9, 4-12. For the PST series, I think the 2.5-10 would be perfect. It all comes down to budget. good luck

 

[Valken]

Any recommendations for a scope for a 18" M1A?

Ive been looking at the Viper PST 1-4x24. Not sure if i would be limiting myself if i went with it.

IMHO you are limiting your self. The scout Rifle has the ability to go out as far as 800 yds. If you go by the idea of 1 power for every 100 yds then, yes, you are limiting your self. If you plan to use it under 200 yds, sure the PST 1-4 will work. I shot an event and the swingers plate was 10 inches. It was hard to see at 4 power and I wish I had more

 

[Layton]

IMHO you are limiting your self. The scout Rifle has the ability to go out as far as 800 yds. If you go by the idea of 1 power for every 100 yds then, yes, you are limiting your self. If you plan to use it under 200 yds, sure the PST 1-4 will work. I shot an event and the swingers plate was 10 inches. It was hard to see at 4 power and I wish I had more

It can go that far, it just wasn't meant too and too much magnification kinda defeats the purpose of that platform IMHO.

L

 

[Valken]

It can go that far, it just wasn't meant too and too much magnification kinda defeats the purpose of that platform IMHO.

L

"It can go that far, just was not meant to", now that's an oxymoron. I have a Springfield M1A Scout, I have a PST 1-4 and I married the two after a few range sessions I removed the PST because it did not have enough power for me Hence why IMHO the scope is limiting on a Scout rifle. It now sits on a .223 platform most likely the platform of purpose. Give it a try though and let use know what you think

 

[Layton]

Not really an oxymoron. It will reach 800 yards. It's a .308. IMHO that is not what that version of the rifle is designed for. That platform with an 18" barrel was not meant to be an 800y rifle. If that's all you have then go for it and stick more power on it. It will be fine. A 1-6x would be more appropriate.

 

[Valken]

now that's some sound advice

 

[Crosshair]

I think a max of 4x is very limiting for a rifle that can reach out to 1000+ reliably. There is no such thing as too much magnification, if there was a 1-25x scope that weighed and worked like a 1-6, everyone would own one. That being said, the role of a scout m1a to be would be 25 yards up to 1000+. So, with a 5x-6.5x erector like some nice compact scopes have now, I say 2x on the low end is perfect for everything but room clearing, which I hope you're not doing with an 18" .308. If you have the funds, the dream scope for most dude's m1a's is probably the Nightforce 2.5-10x32. I've been lusting after the IOR Spartan 2-12x36 also. The Leupold Mark 4 mrt 2.5-8x36 is stellar. For cheaper options I like the Vortex PST 2.5-10x32, Weaver 2-10x36 Tactical. Just my opinion, but 10x is the bottom end for my eyes to see much at 800+ yards.

 

[walker77]

Thanks for the input guys. I did forget to mention that i wont be going with the scout mount. That just isnt my thing.

I looked at the Viper PST 1-4x24 as recommended above. I really like the compact size. Any recommendations on where to buy it?

Thanks

 

[Crosshair]

Several good verndors on here, but I hear nothing but awesomeness about Scott at Liberty optics, I'd call him and see what he can do!

 

[DeSnifter]

NF 2.5-10x32 mil/mil on mine. Love it.

 

[Valken]

Thanks for the input guys. I did forget to mention that i wont be going with the scout mount. That just isnt my thing.

I looked at the Viper PST 1-4x24 as recommended above. I really like the compact size. Any recommendations on where to buy it?

Thanks

Again, the reticule is to small for any work beyond 300 yds. But I just had a very positive experience with Scott at liberty optics. First time i have used him and I was impressed

 

[Tack425]

I used a Vortex Viper PST 4-16x50 on a Bassett picatinny rail mount. I went with the Bassett because of its simplicity and got a good deal on it on the M14 Forum. SEI and Sadlak Airborne are also very good mounts. Dont go cheap on the mount, you will waste ammo chasing an ever wandering zero. Loved the set up after I found the right cheek riser. You WILL have to get a cheek riser for any set up you have using the receiver mount. Get a mount so you can use the irons as well most of what i listed will allow you to do that. If you want to stretch out the capability of the M1A platform, get higher mag. Just my .02

 

[BillCh]

NF 2.5-10x32 mil/mil on mine. Love it.

Same here.

B

 

[2002zo6]

I used a Vortex Viper PST 4-16x50 on a Bassett picatinny rail mount. I went with the Bassett because of its simplicity and got a good deal on it on the M14 Forum. SEI and Sadlak Airborne are also very good mounts. Dont go cheap on the mount, you will waste ammo chasing an ever wandering zero. Loved the set up after I found the right cheek riser. You WILL have to get a cheek riser for any set up you have using the receiver mount. Get a mount so you can use the irons as well most of what i listed will allow you to do that. If you want to stretch out the capability of the M1A platform, get higher mag. Just my .02

I have the same scope for my M1A and am still looking for the mount and rings(Probably a Bassett or Sadlak mount). Did you go with the low or high picatinny rail mount. how do you like the setup and the PST?

 

[Name Enough]

I mounted the Leupold 2x8 32 mm handgun scope on my Scout. The scope was chosen for the clarity of the glass and not the magnification. I usually use it at 5x for 200 yards. This mounting allows for both eyes open (Binion) sighting and quick follow-up shots. The pad on the stock is a simple shell carrier with some hard foam under neath to bring the cheek weld up to the level of the scope.

 

[ajwcotton]

Does anyone know if it is possible to mount a normal scope on the scout rifle with something like an ADM recon X mount that is turned around the other way?

 

[Valken]

Magmaten is your by-pod on backwards?

 

[Tack425]

Sorry for the late reply on your question. I went with Vortex precision matched LOW rings and Regular Bassett mount. I really liked the set up and its very easy to install. The wrench the Bassett mount comes with gets the correct torque every time. Rock solid mount and with the ring combo worked very well. Buy once cry once.

Bassett M14/M1A Picatinny Rail Scope Mount

Vortex Optics - Precision Matched Rings-30mm Low

Vortex Optics - Viper PST 4-16x50 FFP EBR-1 MRAD

 

[Name Enough]

Magmaten is your by-pod on backwards?

Not backwards for me I like it like that because it won't snag and as it deploys quicker. As they say = you have to hand it to Ray because he has short arms.

 

[Name Enough]

Does anyone know if it is possible to mount a normal scope on the scout rifle with something like an ADM recon X mount that is turned around the other way?

Yes you can but it puts the scope too high for my taste. I like it low so I can get a good cheek weld. You will have to use a cheek pad with the recon mount.