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Gunsite scout scope set up

37K views 95 replies 16 participants last post by  ChooseWisely 
#1 ·
#2 ·
Hello and welcome! I use those rings with a fixed powered Leupold and love them. I really like that scope and am considering switching, but my shoots so well I don't want to mess with it right now. I would say you are on the right path..

Enjoy your rifle!
 
#4 ·
The Leupold rings are great heavy but great.

I think you will have trouble getting the scope to work and focus at the higher powers the eye relief is to long. Normal for a handgun scope but to long for a scout scope. Looking at the price you should be able to find the Leupold scout scope for about the same price and it does work on a scout rifle. A lot of scouts like the Burris scout scope and the eye relief is correct on that one also.

I use the Leupold scout scope have for years never broke one. I use on the GSR the Weaver Quad Lock and Weaver Sure Grip rings. light and low to the action. The Sure Grip being the lowest. You may save enough on the Weaver rings 10 to 15 dollars a set to get a real scout rifle scope.

Just my $0.02.

Best regards,

Roadie
 
#5 · (Edited)
Thanks for the input Roadie, thats the kind of stuff i'm looking for. I looked at the spec on all three scopes and I think i see what you mean about the eye relief at max magnification. But 9-13 inches is pretty close to the Burris at 11-21 inches. I don't have any experience with LER scopes, is that really that much of a difference? Not that i am considering the Burris at $379.00. I can't see it being $100 better than the Nikon or the Leupold. I'm still leaning towards the Nikon because of the calibrated reticle.
 
#7 ·
Have some one with a tape measure record the distance from your eye to the forward opening of the action after you mount the rifle to your shoulder check multiple times and use the average. If the eye relief of the scope is different than the measurement or your value is not in the range of eye relief it wont work right.

I don't know what Burris you are looking at but they make a "Scout Scope" that has the correct eye relief. You may be looking at a pistol scope.

Check out the #200269 2.75X20 15 ft FOV @100 Eye relief 8.5" to 15" The low end is the key.

Or the Leupold #58810 2.5X28 FOV 22 ft @ 100 Eye relief 9.3"

Cabela's shows The Leupold for $299.99 and the Burris for 249.99 should be able to find that price range close to home.

Both work just fine on a scout rifle.

The variables will work but you have to mount them farther back on the rifle to get a good higher power view.

Look for IER Intermediate Eye Relief scopes not the LIE Long Eye Relief. The LIE is where the problems start.

You need to decide what works for you I like a clean and uncomplicated reticle and no batteries but that's just me. No distractions. The KISS principal. :D

The three models Ruger 45 posted work just fine.

Best regards,

Roadie
 
#6 · (Edited)
I would have to agree with Roadie on the steer clear of the Nikon. Mine is getting the Leupold scout scope.
email from Leupold "If you are going to mount the scope on the picatinny rail forward of the receiver on that Gunsite Scout Rifle, you will need an IER (Intermediate Eye Relief) scope. We have 3 models available: a fixed power FX-II 2.5x28mm IER Scout which is available in a silver finish ( product # 58820); or two variables, a VX-2 1.5-4x28mm IER Scout ( product # 119621), and a VX-R 1.5-5x33mm IER Scout ( product # 119675) Both variables are matte black finish only, and the latter has an illuminated reticle."
 
#8 ·
I have the Nikon 2.5-8x on my Mini. It is mounted down low on the Ultimak Scout rail with Warne Q.D. rings. It is very bright and clear, more so than my Leupold Mark AR and Vari-X III. I love the BDC, also have it on a Nikon 4-16x M308 that is on my M700 varmint. The Nikon Force is great as far as eye relief at the middle powers, say 3.5 to 6x. You can pretty much have your head anywhere in the "comfort zone". On 2.5x I have to move my head back on the stock a bit ( not much, like 3/4") and on 8x I have to move it forward less than an inch, to get a nice full picture. I did not know this before, but while reading a review of the Nikon before I bought it, the tester mentioned that one can manipulate the eye relief slightly by turning the fast focus eyepiece. I tried it and found I can " tweak" the eye relief slightly and get the scope picture just right for my head positioning on the stock, sort of a fine tune. I have it set where i get a good sight picture from 2.5x to 6x or so. If I have to take a long shot, 6x is plenty, and if I do want 8x with a long shot you would have time to scoot your head forward a tad. I wanted a Leupold VXR Patrol 1.5-5x Firedot EER, but at the time did not want to pay $600 so I got the $290 Nikon and am very satisfied with it.
 

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#9 ·
I use a burris scout scope 2.75x zoom fixed with leupold QR low rings it's a great setup I've removed and put to scope back on several time and the burris holds zero great! Very good glass quality and not toooo expensive, you probably won't even need to run a red dot the scout set up would, seeming to me, be ideal for dogs running deer.
 
#10 ·
@Roadie: I'll have my son help me with the measurements. And this is the Burris scope i was looking at:
Burris Scout Rifle Scope 2-7x 32mm Ballistic Plex Reticle Matte
I'm really hesitant to buy a scope without actually handleing it, i see a trip to my local Cabela's and Bass Pro shop in the near future. I agree with you on the KISS principle, I have a BSA on it right now with the illuminated reticle and i NEVER use it, I only bought it because it was on sale.

@sandog: great looking setup and thanks for the pics I was uncertain which rings i would need, low, medium, or high, but everything i've found online all says use the low rings.

@chambered in 808: The red dot is not an immediate concern it just seems like a good idea, i read a test review in field and stream and a red dot won out over a scope and iron sights in by every test subject in a deer hunting scenario. Although, a scout scope setup was not tested so you may be right once i get mine setup. Thanks for the info on the rings, everyone says maje sure you mount and remount on the same slots on the rail and you'll never have an issue.
 
#11 ·
@Roadie: I'll have my son help me with the measurements. And this is the Burris scope i was looking at:
Burris Scout Rifle Scope 2-7x 32mm Ballistic Plex Reticle Matte
I'm really hesitant to buy a scope without actually handleing it, i see a trip to my local Cabela's and Bass Pro shop in the near future. I agree with you on the KISS principle, I have a BSA on it right now with the illuminated reticle and i NEVER use it, I only bought it because it was on sale.
I know what you mean I like to handle and look through a scope before I buy one also.

Over about 3X using the scout scope with both eyes open gets troublesome the lower powers work best as a general rule. Batteries don't trust them always dead just when you need them. ;) A one power is great but no one makes one any more. The traditional scout scopes are all 2.5 to 2.75 power for a reason. I go with the Leupold for the wider field of view. 22 ft instead of the 15 ft with the Burris. If they made a 1X to 3X variable I would look at it. Other than that I will stick with the fixed power.

Just my $0.02 that and $5 will get you a cup of coffee at one of those fancy coffee shops. :D

Best regards,

Roadie
 
#12 ·
Roadie, saw the picture of your GSS, i'm sure it shoots as sweet as it looks, i really like the look of your scope set up. If i can get my hands on one of the scopes you listed i'll more than likely go that route, except i'm still leaning towards the leupold QRW rings. I saw in one of your post you mentioned sighting at higher magnifications with both eyes open can be problematic, thats not something i have to worry about since i'm blind in one eye.
 
#13 ·
"i'm blind in one eye." Sorry to hear that but it does remove that issue.

The QRW's are good rings.

My thinking was to fold. I wanted the scope as low as I can get it with the lightest rings I could find. The Weaver Quad Locks are the lightest I can find. The set weighs less than one Leupold ring. I chose the light weight over being 0.060" higher than the Top Mount.

The Weaver Top Mount's are the lowest. With the new stock I may after hunting season change over to them. Both sets are very inexpensive. I lap all my scope rings so they return to zero after being removed.

Generally the lower the better on a scout scope. But you have to set the rifle up for you not me. ;)

I look at a scope as being the weak link on a rifle. I figure the rings only have to be as strong or a bit stronger than the scope. If it breaks I am more concerned with getting it off to use the irons than replacing it.

What ever you do all the choices you are looking at should work good. Let us know how it works out.

Best regards.

Roadie
 
#14 ·
Hello from TN. I'm from La. originally. I have a Leupold VX1 2-7 with LR reticle using ruger factory rings on my GSR. Using a traditional mount rather than the extended eye relief scout mount. On my last trip to the range I was shooting 3 shot groups. Results were 1 moa or less at 100 yds. One group was 1/2 moa. Took a few trips to get it that tight but it was not an equipment issue. It was the shooter. Still learning. Had a Burris scout scope on before. My old eyes didn't like the forward mount. On 4 power or less target aquisition is just as fast as the scout scope. You can get the VX1 for about $230on ebay. I love the scope and highly recommend it.
 
#15 ·
Greetings and thanks for the input. I have been able to shoot several 1/2 inch groups with cheap name brand rounds with a cheap BSA 3-9 x40 scope. I read in several forums that the accuracy of the GSS was suspect but have found that to be misleading. I bought my GSS fully intending to use the scout setup, but was unable to acquire a scope before hunting season, so i took the BSA off my air rifle and mounted it in the normal configuration with the supplied rings. I appreciate any and all input as i have zero experience with a scout setup.
 
#18 ·
As I understand it, the whole point of a scout scope is fast target aquisition and peripheral vision. If you are looking for a survival rifle setup the scout scope might, (and I emphasize might) be better. If your looking for a hunting rifle, IMHO I recommend the traditional mount. I tried the Burris 2-7x scout setup at first. My eyes never got comfortable with it. That's a me thing and not a reflection on the scope. It was a nice scope. So I decided on the Leupold VX1 LR 2-7x with a traditional mount. I have no regrets. A big plus is that the Leupold costs a little more than half of what the Burris costs. Target aquisition with the traditional mount is no issue with both eyes open on 4x or less. It all comes down to personal preference and what you are most comfortable with. If you are not comfortable with a setup, you won't shoot well with it. What we all want is confidence in our weapon.
 
#20 ·
I'd like to thank everyone who has/is contributing to this thread. I'm considering a Ruger Scout Rifle, I'm also wondering if I'd get along with the forward mounted scope. I like the idea of a short, handy, rifle that'd go everywhere. If I get one it'd also be used for hunting Deer & possibly Elk.

I have really wondered how much if any field of view is lost with a forward mounted scope, but I like the idea of readily available iron sights if something happens to the scope.
Right now it's in the thinking process, I'm staying tuned to this thread to see what other thoughts & or experiences are brought up.
Thanks.
 
#22 ·
Glad we could all help you out Frank V. I like the idea of being able to pull my scope off in a worst case scenario and being able to use the iron sight. That is the highest priority for me, when considering a scput scope setup. The leupold scopes suggested in this thread have the widest field of view of all the scopes listed. At least that is what i have found so far in my research. I had originally considered the Nikon Force pistol scope, but after seeing that the FOV at max magnification is only 12ft at 100yds. The Leupold fixed power scope is the widest FOV at 22ft. The new Leupold adjustable scope is 17ft FOV at 100 Yds. That is the scope i'm leaning towards at the moment.
Leupold VX-2 1.5-4x28mm IER Scout Duplex Reticle Scope FREE S&H 119621. Leupold Rifle Scopes.
And Roadie has sold me on theWeaver Quad rings. Not the cheapest option, but not the most expensive either, i'm planning a trip to my local Cabelas tomorrow to see if i can lay hands on one of these scopes.
 
#24 ·
UPDATE:
Haven't had any luck actually putting my hands on any scope except the Burris scout scope, which is carried by my local Cabela's. That was my last option becuse of the price, but I must have been good this year because I got plenty cash for Christmas and that is no longer an issue. So what's everyone's opinion on the Burris? The Leupold scout scopes are based on the VX 2 series of scopes according to the 2014 catalog, so I did compare the optics between the Leupold and Burris and found they were tit for tat. I did decide to go with the Weaver Quad scope rings Roadie suggested which I ordered from Midway USA yesterday and will arrive Jan 2nd. Looking forward to some input, thanks in advance.
 
#26 ·
I looked at the Warne rings, but i didnt like the design with the hump at the top of the rings, i prefer the slick design of the leupold QD rings, but decided not to spend $50+ on rings. Roadie made a good point about the weight and price of the Weaver rings and that won me over to the Weavers.
 
#27 ·
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