I'm looking for a good forward mounted optic that will let me reach out and touch to about 500 yds with my M1A, price isn't a problem. I'm hoping for something with a bullet drop compensator and non illuminated( I don't trust batteries always seem to fail me when I need them most). I'm sure this question has been posted a thousand time but I've looked and can't find the answers I needed in other posts. The iron sights work like a dream but my eyes don't after 100 yds so I need some help
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Rifle Scopes Scout optic for my M1A Scout
- Thread starter askeleher
- Start date
Re: Scout optic for my M1A Scout
Although some shooters use handgun scopes as Scout scopes, here are a couple that are built for that specific application.
http://www.opticsplanet.net/weaver-rifle-scopes-k-hunting-849417.html
http://www.opticsplanet.net/leupold-25x28mm-m8-ier-scout-rifle-scope.html
http://www.opticsplanet.net/burris-2-75x-heavy-plex-mat-scout-scopes.html
George P.
Although some shooters use handgun scopes as Scout scopes, here are a couple that are built for that specific application.
http://www.opticsplanet.net/weaver-rifle-scopes-k-hunting-849417.html
http://www.opticsplanet.net/leupold-25x28mm-m8-ier-scout-rifle-scope.html
http://www.opticsplanet.net/burris-2-75x-heavy-plex-mat-scout-scopes.html
George P.
Re: Scout optic for my M1A Scout
From a fellow M1A owner -- most people I know who mount forward scopes on the M1A end up changing it out, including me. Personally, I do like the Leupold more than the Burris but it's a Ford vs Chevy debate on that one.
If you do go with that one, I just double-checked and the thin section is 21.2" tall -> 20.25 MOA -> bottom of the thin from center is 10.125 MOA.
My Scout's DOPE shows 450 yards is 10.5 MOA shooting the classic LC, CCI 200, 41.5 IMR4895, 168BTHP load. Using that as your 450 holdover would be 1.77" low. Not a bad option.
Since you said "price isn't a problem," I would also recommend seaching thru the forums here and M14Forum.com for scope mount options enabling use of standard rifle scopes.
From a fellow M1A owner -- most people I know who mount forward scopes on the M1A end up changing it out, including me. Personally, I do like the Leupold more than the Burris but it's a Ford vs Chevy debate on that one.
If you do go with that one, I just double-checked and the thin section is 21.2" tall -> 20.25 MOA -> bottom of the thin from center is 10.125 MOA.
My Scout's DOPE shows 450 yards is 10.5 MOA shooting the classic LC, CCI 200, 41.5 IMR4895, 168BTHP load. Using that as your 450 holdover would be 1.77" low. Not a bad option.
Since you said "price isn't a problem," I would also recommend seaching thru the forums here and M14Forum.com for scope mount options enabling use of standard rifle scopes.
Re: Scout optic for my M1A Scout
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Alex K</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
I'm looking for a good forward mounted optic that will let me reach out and touch to about 500 yds with my M1A
The iron sights work like a dream but my eyes don't after 100 yds so I need some help</div></div>
Not saying it isn't possible, but a forward-mounted scout scope will be less than ideal for precision 500-yard shooting.
I tend to think of scout setups as being a fast short-range affair. If 100 yards is your comfort zone with irons, a scout scope might double it to 200 or so. A traditional scope is suggested if you plan to shoot longer distances on a regular basis.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Alex K</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
I'm looking for a good forward mounted optic that will let me reach out and touch to about 500 yds with my M1A
The iron sights work like a dream but my eyes don't after 100 yds so I need some help</div></div>
Not saying it isn't possible, but a forward-mounted scout scope will be less than ideal for precision 500-yard shooting.
I tend to think of scout setups as being a fast short-range affair. If 100 yards is your comfort zone with irons, a scout scope might double it to 200 or so. A traditional scope is suggested if you plan to shoot longer distances on a regular basis.
Re: Scout optic for my M1A Scout
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Drifter_1</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Alex K</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
I'm looking for a good forward mounted optic that will let me reach out and touch to about 500 yds with my M1A
The iron sights work like a dream but my eyes don't after 100 yds so I need some help</div></div>
Not saying it isn't possible, but a forward-mounted scout scope will be less than ideal for precision 500-yard shooting.
I tend to think of scout setups as being a fast short-range affair. If 100 yards is your comfort zone with irons, a scout scope might double it to 200 or so. A traditional scope is suggested if you plan to shoot longer distances on a regular basis. </div></div>
+1, I've got the Leupy 2.5X scout on a Steyr Scout and that is my experience.
Which is not to say you can't hit something at 400-500 yds, but your groups will tend to be 3-5 MOA since you just can't see that well. It is even hard to get a .75 MOA rifle to group 1.25 MOA at 100 yds for the same reason.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Drifter_1</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Alex K</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
I'm looking for a good forward mounted optic that will let me reach out and touch to about 500 yds with my M1A
The iron sights work like a dream but my eyes don't after 100 yds so I need some help</div></div>
Not saying it isn't possible, but a forward-mounted scout scope will be less than ideal for precision 500-yard shooting.
I tend to think of scout setups as being a fast short-range affair. If 100 yards is your comfort zone with irons, a scout scope might double it to 200 or so. A traditional scope is suggested if you plan to shoot longer distances on a regular basis. </div></div>
+1, I've got the Leupy 2.5X scout on a Steyr Scout and that is my experience.
Which is not to say you can't hit something at 400-500 yds, but your groups will tend to be 3-5 MOA since you just can't see that well. It is even hard to get a .75 MOA rifle to group 1.25 MOA at 100 yds for the same reason.
Re: Scout optic for my M1A Scout
Thank you all this has been a great help now I've just got to sit and re-evaluate what I'm going to want from this rifle and for anyone interested j Allen enterprises is having a holiday sale 200 dollars off of there stocks until December 31
Thank you all this has been a great help now I've just got to sit and re-evaluate what I'm going to want from this rifle and for anyone interested j Allen enterprises is having a holiday sale 200 dollars off of there stocks until December 31
Re: Scout optic for my M1A Scout
This variable Leupold works very well.
Leupold 1.5-4x28 VX-II Scout
http://swfa.com/Leupold-15-4x28-VX-II-Scout-Scope-P50858.aspx
This variable Leupold works very well.
Leupold 1.5-4x28 VX-II Scout
http://swfa.com/Leupold-15-4x28-VX-II-Scout-Scope-P50858.aspx
Re: Scout optic for my M1A Scout
I've got two buddies who run this Burris 2-7x Ballistic plex Posi-lock scope on their M1A Scouts. They both rave aboutthe combination.
http://swfa.com/Burris-2-7x32-Handgun-Scope-P1833.aspx
I've got two buddies who run this Burris 2-7x Ballistic plex Posi-lock scope on their M1A Scouts. They both rave aboutthe combination.
http://swfa.com/Burris-2-7x32-Handgun-Scope-P1833.aspx
Re: Scout optic for my M1A Scout
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Alex K</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've heard of a lot of people running pistol scopes as scout optics with great success but I don't know if I'm just to stuck up or just too much of a purist to do that to my rifle.</div></div>
A pistol scope with extended eye relief (EER) can work, but usually a scout scope with intermediate eye relief (IER) works better. For example, field of view with an IER scope is usually noticeably larger than an EER scope. Be sure to compare specs before buying.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Alex K</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've heard of a lot of people running pistol scopes as scout optics with great success but I don't know if I'm just to stuck up or just too much of a purist to do that to my rifle.</div></div>
A pistol scope with extended eye relief (EER) can work, but usually a scout scope with intermediate eye relief (IER) works better. For example, field of view with an IER scope is usually noticeably larger than an EER scope. Be sure to compare specs before buying.
Re: Scout optic for my M1A Scout
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Alex K</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've heard of a lot of people running pistol scopes as scout optics with great success but I don't know if I'm just to stuck up or just too much of a purist to do that to my rifle. </div></div>
If you are a purist, leave the rifle alone and shoot it with the irons. That's the way it was meant to be shot. 500 yards is not a problem with iron sights for targets that can be reasonably hit with an M1A. If you want a precision rifle, the M1A ain't it.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Alex K</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've heard of a lot of people running pistol scopes as scout optics with great success but I don't know if I'm just to stuck up or just too much of a purist to do that to my rifle. </div></div>
If you are a purist, leave the rifle alone and shoot it with the irons. That's the way it was meant to be shot. 500 yards is not a problem with iron sights for targets that can be reasonably hit with an M1A. If you want a precision rifle, the M1A ain't it.
Re: Scout optic for my M1A Scout
The "great minds" at Springfield put a scope rail on it because people WANT to put scopes on M1A's, not because they should. You can mount a scope on top of an A2 carry handle on an AR too, but you'd need a pretty oddly-shaped head to make it work properly.
Hold your rifle up to your face and look through the sights - feels nice and comfortable, right? Now, do the same thing and try looking down the barrel but another inch + or so above the sights, the height your scope will be at. How does that feel? How do you get a proper cheek weld or repeatable head position with that?
I love scoped rifles and have lots. I also love the M1A, it just wasn't meant to wear a scope.
The "great minds" at Springfield put a scope rail on it because people WANT to put scopes on M1A's, not because they should. You can mount a scope on top of an A2 carry handle on an AR too, but you'd need a pretty oddly-shaped head to make it work properly.
Hold your rifle up to your face and look through the sights - feels nice and comfortable, right? Now, do the same thing and try looking down the barrel but another inch + or so above the sights, the height your scope will be at. How does that feel? How do you get a proper cheek weld or repeatable head position with that?
I love scoped rifles and have lots. I also love the M1A, it just wasn't meant to wear a scope.
Re: Scout optic for my M1A Scout
I can see your point there but I have a j Allen enterprises stock with an adjustable check rest and I was under the impression that a scout scope didn't require too much of a change in check weld when shooting from a standing position that's why i was opting for one instead of a standard eye relief optic
I can see your point there but I have a j Allen enterprises stock with an adjustable check rest and I was under the impression that a scout scope didn't require too much of a change in check weld when shooting from a standing position that's why i was opting for one instead of a standard eye relief optic
Re: Scout optic for my M1A Scout
My roommate is now looking for a forward optic for his Ruger Scout. From your original post to this one, sounds like you know for sure you want a forward optic. If you know you won't later change your mind re: standard eye relief, I like that illuminated Leupold VXR Scout 1.5-4 from SWFA. And it's still a very cheap to buy!
My roommate is now looking for a forward optic for his Ruger Scout. From your original post to this one, sounds like you know for sure you want a forward optic. If you know you won't later change your mind re: standard eye relief, I like that illuminated Leupold VXR Scout 1.5-4 from SWFA. And it's still a very cheap to buy!
Re: Scout optic for my M1A Scout
Re: a forward mounted scout scope with a practical BDC, you may be chasing unicorns on this one. The only half-baked IER scopes I've seen with some sort of BDC are pistol scopes. I wouldn't use them because I dont believe in forcing something to fill a role is wasn't remotely designed for.
Also, don't know how much experience you have behind a scout scopes ... but any sort of ranging reticle (e.g., mildot) or DBC would look like a disaster at 2.5-4x through a 28mm ocular lens sitting 8-9 inches from your eye. It's sits a lot further forward and (what I call) the 'floating disc of magnified view' is smaller than people realize.
How about calling Leupold's custom shop to ask? They do not offer reticle options for the scout on the website, but that doesn't mean they wouldn't do it if you asked. How about having them change out for CSD turrets or M1 turrets? This would let you dial in your dope. The latter may look too chunky for your tastes.
Re: a forward mounted scout scope with a practical BDC, you may be chasing unicorns on this one. The only half-baked IER scopes I've seen with some sort of BDC are pistol scopes. I wouldn't use them because I dont believe in forcing something to fill a role is wasn't remotely designed for.
Also, don't know how much experience you have behind a scout scopes ... but any sort of ranging reticle (e.g., mildot) or DBC would look like a disaster at 2.5-4x through a 28mm ocular lens sitting 8-9 inches from your eye. It's sits a lot further forward and (what I call) the 'floating disc of magnified view' is smaller than people realize.
How about calling Leupold's custom shop to ask? They do not offer reticle options for the scout on the website, but that doesn't mean they wouldn't do it if you asked. How about having them change out for CSD turrets or M1 turrets? This would let you dial in your dope. The latter may look too chunky for your tastes.
Re: Scout optic for my M1A Scout
I own a m1a scout and a ruger m77 scout I put a eotec on the m1a which works decent and I put a nikon eer pistol scope on the ruger and I hate it up front not enough field of view and just feels plain weird I wouldn't recommend it it's gettin a new scope or the open sights left on it just my opion .
I own a m1a scout and a ruger m77 scout I put a eotec on the m1a which works decent and I put a nikon eer pistol scope on the ruger and I hate it up front not enough field of view and just feels plain weird I wouldn't recommend it it's gettin a new scope or the open sights left on it just my opion .
Re: Scout optic for my M1A Scout
If you decide to mount a scope farther back, I can recommend a sage chassis + the Sage Detatchable Cantilevered Sight base. There seems to be a fair consensus that this base holds zero best, though for a wood stocked M1A I hear the Sadlak mounts are good as well.
If you decide to mount a scope farther back, I can recommend a sage chassis + the Sage Detatchable Cantilevered Sight base. There seems to be a fair consensus that this base holds zero best, though for a wood stocked M1A I hear the Sadlak mounts are good as well.
Re: Scout optic for my M1A Scout
The CASM mount from M14ca.com is suppose to be top notch. No personal experience with this one yet but have heard good things about it. I think the military is doing testing to replace their mounts with these.
Travis
The CASM mount from M14ca.com is suppose to be top notch. No personal experience with this one yet but have heard good things about it. I think the military is doing testing to replace their mounts with these.
Travis
Re: Scout optic for my M1A Scout
I just finished a two day Aimpoint trainig course and I'm sold. Although we only worked at short distances I've had great success using red dots for precision work at longer distances. I think you'd be pleasantly surprised with a red dot out front on your M1A. I'm planning to mount my scout in a Juggernaut Rogue stock and would like both short and long range optic options. Thinking Aimpoint or SWFA SS 1-6x for close work and a SWFA SS 5-20X for long range.
I just finished a two day Aimpoint trainig course and I'm sold. Although we only worked at short distances I've had great success using red dots for precision work at longer distances. I think you'd be pleasantly surprised with a red dot out front on your M1A. I'm planning to mount my scout in a Juggernaut Rogue stock and would like both short and long range optic options. Thinking Aimpoint or SWFA SS 1-6x for close work and a SWFA SS 5-20X for long range.
