I recently acquired a new Ruger GS scout rifle. I was curious what scout scopes you guys are using and why as I am trying to make an educated decision on what to put on top of this rifle. It is not like any of the others I own in it's ability to have a scope mounted forward. I look forward to your thoughts and suggestions.
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Rifle Scopes Scout Scopes
- Thread starter DropZone
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I posted a few thoughts on scout scopes just yesterday in the bolt-action forum in reference to another member. So, as to not re-types it all, a few points:
..........About scout scopes, I think Col. Jeff Cooper was on to something with the Scout rifle concept, the forward mounted optic does give more peripheral vision. But, eye-relief is directly proportional to field of view (all things being equal), so even with a low power setting you still have drastically smaller magnified filed of view. I find the only useful magnification on scout scopes is under 3x. With the 1-4x and 1-6x scopes being as good as they are these days, most guys prefer a true 1x for close range target acquisition, as it provides a seamless stereoscopic sight picture, and the 4x or 6x on the high end is more useful that the 2x-3x of useable top end of scout scopes....IMO. If you have't looked through a high quality 1-4x, check em out... I love the Trijicon 1-4x24 with amber triangle and would be my choice for a short, handy scout type rifle.....
That being said, they have their place. The only two brands that would be on my personal radar are the offerings from Burris and Leupold:
SWFA Riflescopes Burris Rifle Scopes Burris Scout Scopes
SWFA Riflescopes Leupold Hunting Riflescopes Leupold Scout Scopes
I would mostly be interested in a 2x or 2.75x, myself. I didn't like that variables I've looked through, over 4x gave an unfriendly image. Still, I'd go for a traditional 1-4x, hands down. Just my thoughts.
..........About scout scopes, I think Col. Jeff Cooper was on to something with the Scout rifle concept, the forward mounted optic does give more peripheral vision. But, eye-relief is directly proportional to field of view (all things being equal), so even with a low power setting you still have drastically smaller magnified filed of view. I find the only useful magnification on scout scopes is under 3x. With the 1-4x and 1-6x scopes being as good as they are these days, most guys prefer a true 1x for close range target acquisition, as it provides a seamless stereoscopic sight picture, and the 4x or 6x on the high end is more useful that the 2x-3x of useable top end of scout scopes....IMO. If you have't looked through a high quality 1-4x, check em out... I love the Trijicon 1-4x24 with amber triangle and would be my choice for a short, handy scout type rifle.....
That being said, they have their place. The only two brands that would be on my personal radar are the offerings from Burris and Leupold:
SWFA Riflescopes Burris Rifle Scopes Burris Scout Scopes
SWFA Riflescopes Leupold Hunting Riflescopes Leupold Scout Scopes
I would mostly be interested in a 2x or 2.75x, myself. I didn't like that variables I've looked through, over 4x gave an unfriendly image. Still, I'd go for a traditional 1-4x, hands down. Just my thoughts.
I was contemplating a ruger scout for a while and ran across an interesting selection of under 9x variable scouts. Of course, the laptop hdd just lost the sector part of the registry was on, but once I get it back up I'll put the list here. I haven't looked through any and can't vouch for quality, it's just a couple days less searching for you.
The great thing about the Ruger is you can use it in the scout configuration or as a practical rifle (mount a scope in the traditional location).
I do agree with crosshair, that the forward mounted scope has its place, more for rapid acquisition i/e following game through brush or situations in which you would use irons. The advantage is you keep both eyes open, so you dont have to "find" your target in the scope, you immediately place the reticle over the region of interest.
Field of view is immense because you are using both eyes, but it is more like using a magnifying glass to view a selected region, vs magnifying the whole field of view. If you approach the concept with this in mind it will make more sense.
Keeping the scope at 2-2.5x will allow for a more streamline eye and obj, in turn the ability to mount the scope very close to the receiver for a quick cheek weld.
Nikon also makes a scope (encore) with Extended eye relief, Weaver makes a 4x, but the Leupold or Burris should serve you well. I would shy away from pistol scopes as their parallax is set for very close range.
I do agree with crosshair, that the forward mounted scope has its place, more for rapid acquisition i/e following game through brush or situations in which you would use irons. The advantage is you keep both eyes open, so you dont have to "find" your target in the scope, you immediately place the reticle over the region of interest.
Field of view is immense because you are using both eyes, but it is more like using a magnifying glass to view a selected region, vs magnifying the whole field of view. If you approach the concept with this in mind it will make more sense.
Keeping the scope at 2-2.5x will allow for a more streamline eye and obj, in turn the ability to mount the scope very close to the receiver for a quick cheek weld.
Nikon also makes a scope (encore) with Extended eye relief, Weaver makes a 4x, but the Leupold or Burris should serve you well. I would shy away from pistol scopes as their parallax is set for very close range.
That's how you should use a traditional scope too though. I've never cared for scout scopes ( not right or wrong, just my preference). If I run something forward, it is a red dot.
I ran a Leupold Scout IER 2.5x28mm on an M1A Scout for a number of years. It's fixed power with generous long-eye relief, but is hampered by a simple duplex reticle. It's relatively inexpensive and simple, working really well out to 300m.
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