Scout Rifle Setup

[jd45]

Will someone please enlighten me on the purpose of this way of scoping a rifle? I've seen it on levers as well as bolt guns. Is it quicker target acquisition, or what? Actually, I'm considering using this method for my Lyman Great Plains Hunter for deer season this year, to get it out of the way of the percussion lock, as my eyes don't work that well with iron sights anymore. Thanx for the feedback, jd45

[Steve Collins]

It allows you to keep both eyes open, to find your target faster and not obscure the landscape. It can also be mounted somewhat lower along the boreline than traditional scopes, and is out of the way when the rifle is carried at its balance point. It also does away with any chance of "scope eye." There are a few purpose made Scout scopes out there, Leupold and Burris coming to mind.

[jd45]

Thanx Steve,............I was checking on the net for long eye relief scopes & this combatoptics site came up. They've got a 2-7x32 scope on sale for $59. I know it ain't a Leupold, but it's what I can afford right now. Thanx again for the insight, jd45

[Malamute]

Another consideration in the original concept was to allow stripper clip loading of a bolt action (which is what the scout concept is based on).

[Pete44ru]

[I was checking on the net for long eye relief scopes & this combatoptics site came up. They've got a 2-7x32 scope on sale for $59. I know it ain't a Leupold, but it's what I can afford right now]

You had best proceed with caution.

The sweetness of a low price will quickly turn bitter, if you find out that the purchase is next to useless.

Please first consider:

*Scopes designed to be mounted in the "scout" position/style have (IER) INTERMEDIATE eye relief (about 9"), and NOT (LER) LONG eye relief.

* LER scopes are typically advertized as "handgun" scopes, because they are designed to be mounted further from the eye - and therefore have eye relief "windows" of (typically) 9"-17" or 11" to 21".

* If any scope is sighted through, with the eye beyond (or short of) the scope's eye relief, a vastly-reduced sight picture (sometimes a full black screen) will result.

If I were you, I would first mark where (forward/back) on your GPH that the rear lens of ANY scope you choose to mount on it would be located.
THEN, measure the distance from the marked point to where your eye would be with the rifle held in shooting position.
(For ME & MY scout-scoped rifles, the distance happens to be 10", but YMMV)

With that measurement in hand, you will have a better handle on what eye relief type scope to obtain.

.

[RKrodle]

I have a inexpensive NC Star pistol scope on my guide gun. It's nothing fancy but has so far held up very well to full house 45-70 loads. The one I bought has the illuminated recital but that is pretty much useless in my opinion. If it will even last you a season or two it may be enough to get you by til you can afford something better.

Here's a link
http://www.opticsplanet.net/ncstar-illu ... pb273.html

Here it is on my guide gun.

[Dave]

I am a fan of the scout concept. It allows you to have a heads-up, both eyes open shot close up and gives you a crosshair so you have a fine aiming point on longer shots. It also allows you to carry your gun easily at your side since the scope is not over the receiver. Another good thing about it is it puts the weight of the scope out front farther than a conventional mount so the gun hangs better.

Some people don't like the low magnification of the scout scopes and I agree it is not a long range type set up. It is fine out to about 200 yards or so.

[jeepnik]

Here's one example of where a "scout" mounted optic really comes into it's own.



It's well balanced, shoots better than I ever could, and with a quick turn of the levers, the optic is off, and the excellent factory sights are ready to go.

[jd45]

Thanx for all your replys......especially yours, pete. I will keep the distance factor in mind. jd45