Scout-Scope Set-Up; Any regrets?

[Big Paulie]

Dear Guys,

   I am thinking of taking the plunge, and doing a scout scope set up on a lever action marlin with a 20 inch barrel.

   Problem is,  that this is pretty expensive to do.  Have to buy a pistol scope, that I can never use for anything else, and have to buy the scout scope base, that I can never use for anything else.  (I'm plainly looking at more that the price of the rifle!)

   Before I do this, I thought I would ask you guys if you have any big regrets about going to a scout scope system?    If you had a chance to do it over again, would you do it?  Or, would you just stick to the regular scope system.  

   If you have had any specific problems, please let me know what those are.

Thanks for all replies.

Big Paulie

[CEJ1895]

Big Paulie - I can tell you without a doubt that I have no regrets with the scout scope setup on my Guide Gun. I've got the Leupold scout scope in Warne QD rings on the Ashley/AO/XS scope mount. I've also got the Ashley/AO/XS ghost sights on it. I'm very pleased with how the rifle looks and handles in the woods. IT'S VERY FAST TO USE! If you still have doubts maybe you can arrange to meet someone with a scout setup to try out before you take the plunge. CEJ...

[LittleWill]

Big Paulie,

I have a Marlin Guide Gun in 45-70.  With Ashley XS mount Leupold Scout Scope and Leupold QRS rings. A Williams 5D receiver sight and  their fire front sight.

Also have a Savage Scout .308 with a little 2X Swift 66B pistol scope on the standard B-Square mount.

A Marlin 1894 in .44mag. with Ashley XS mount and a red dot sight.

I have taken deer with them and have had no problems.

Most criticism comes from those who don't give the concept a fair shake. A forward mounted scope looks strange to many people and they think it's a new fangled gizzmo. But the concept is tried and true, going back at least to WWll.

It shines for fast acquisition of targets and  first shot placement in the field. It doesn't do as well from the bench for targets.

The biggest knock on scout scopes is narrow field of view. Definitely untrue.

Used properly with both eyes open. You look through and around the scope at the same time. Thereby seeing the intended target and it's surroundings at the same time. With practice this becomes second nature. Find your target with both eyes, then close one eye if you feel the need.

One other thing. 2X-2.5 power seems to be about the right combination of magnification and F.O.V. Higher powers seem to produce diminishing returns..

Hope this helps with your decision.

LittleWill

[pathfinder]

  Before I do this, I thought I would ask you guys if you have any big regrets about going to a scout scope system?    If you had a chance to do it over again, would you do it?  Or, would you just stick to the regular scope system.  

   If you have had any specific problems, please let me know what those are.

Thanks for all replies.

Big Paulie

I've been very pleased with my 336 leverscout.

http://www.grovestreet.com/jsp/onepic.jsp?id=1057734

I haven't gotten much time in the field with it yet (only twice) but it makes it to the range a lot and I've been very pleased with the results...   :grin:  :grin:

http://www.grovestreet.com/jsp/onepic.jsp?id=1057735

[RGS]

I also have the scout set up on a Guide Gun and 2 1894s.  I would do it again without hesitation.  

You asked about problems.  I had a little trouble with the mounts on the 1894s  The rear portion of the mount by the back screw does not contact the rifle.  There is a small gap between the mount and the gun.  I filled the gap with a couple shims.  A small flat washer will do as well.  If you do not fill in that little gap, it will flex the mount when the rear screw is tightened down hard.  A friend of mine had his mount break under recoil.  After a call to XS they admitted a manufacturer had made an error.
But they do not supply a shim or washer so as to achieve a stress free mount.

It is easy to see and fix if you look for it.  Set the mount on the rifle and push down on the back screw hole, the front of the mount lifts up.  This does not happen with the 1895 mount.  The one on my Guide Gun makes contact front and back.

SSS....shrug shim and shoot.   :gun4:  

Rick

[Thebear_78]

I have a stainles guide gun with 2.5x leupold scout scope.  I went with the heavy post reticle.  I have been extremely impressd with this setup for close fast action.  It is my go to gun when shots are under 200 yards.  I liked the scout concept so much that I have another scout built on a p17 enfield in 9.3x62 with the same scope only plex reticle.  Shots out to 300 yards are fairly easy even with the 2.5x magnification.  It doesn't shine for targets but is incredably quick and handy for hunting.  The more I use the scout setup the more I like it.  

I can't say enough good things about the leupold scout scope.  It is much superior to using a pistol scope.  Burris also makes a fine scout scope.

[ba_50]

LittleWill,

Doesn't the scope make the rifle barrel heavy?

When I am looking at the front sight on an M1 Garand, it is fuzzy. Would you happen to know if the front firesight helps this problem? Thanks.

[coopershooter]

i own two scout rifles one a sweedish mauser,in 6.5x55 and the other a win 92 copy, in ss. 357mag.
 i put together a scout on a marlin 336 in 30-30, i sold it, but wish i hadnt!
  for me, its the fastest set up going! it does give up a little paper accuracy, but is plenty accurate for hunting the thick woods.
 the sweed will shoot an inch at one hundred, and the .357 will do, 2.5 or so. i would never shoot past about 150 yards with it, but where i hunt, i'll never see half that far! so speed is it for me!
 iv'e thought about putting a weaver rail on one of my 10-22 barrels. and do a ruger 10-22 scout!
i'm sold on the scout idea, because it works so well under regular rugged hunting conditions. out west the close in shooting doesn't happen often, so the regular set up would be best for more magnification, and longer ranges. but here in the south east,  the scout is the way to go!

[pathfinder]

LittleWill,

Doesn't the scope make the rifle barrel heavy?

When I am looking at the front sight on an M1 Garand, it is fuzzy. Would you happen to know if the front firesight helps this problem? Thanks.

I have not found that to be the case.  With the scope the rifle carries/balances at the rear of the forend.  In field position shooting, including offhand I've not noticed a difference with the scope on or off.  

My 1894 (scopeless) feels a little quicker handling but with 40+ year old eyes I can aquire a sight picture faster with the scout scope.

I'm near sighted but an eye exam or two (hopefully more) away from bifocals.  The firesight is easier to see.  I'm not certain however that a larger bead painted floresent yellow (or pink) wouldn't accomplish the same thing.  My one complaint with the firesight is it does obsure a lot of target.

[ScoutMan]

LittleWill,

Doesn't the scope make the rifle barrel heavy?

When I am looking at the front sight on an M1 Garand, it is fuzzy. Would you happen to know if the front firesight helps this problem? Thanks.

ba,

The aperture opening is about .125". But for "old geezers" like us you need a bigger aperture, something on the scale of .200". Also go for a post front sight. The others do not give you a good index of elevation. If you need speeder acquisition, a red or floresent insert in the post will work.

Go to the bolt rifle forum and see my post "Ghost Ring".

[Winter Hawk]

My 61 year old, near sighted eyes still work with the Williams receiver sight and a Marble's Patridge front sight.  However, the sights are pretty fuzzy.  I put the smallest aperture in when sighting in, and it sharpens up the front sight.  I tried a Firesight and just saw a big ball of light out on the barrel.  Lots of flare.  Without my glasses the sights are fine, but then I can't see what I'm shooting at....

I put a 2X Tasco pistol scope on a NEF .30-06 as a scout set up and really liked it.  Sold it to get the Marlin, though.  But I didn't notice it making any real difference in barrel weight.  I think it may even have helped with offsetting some of the shaking when shooting off hand.

-WH-

[ba_50]

Thanks for the replies on the scout balance, inserts for posts and flare of firesight info. They do make different size fire type beads. I'm and going to check out some muzzleloaders as they all have firesights on them now.