Author Topic: Marlin Scout Rifle Shooters: Tell me about your scopes! (Read 2801 times)

papajohn428 · « **on:** December 22, 2004, 11:07:59 PM »

I've got three Marlins that are all gonna be "Scouted", one wears a 4X Simmons handgun scope but the eye relief is a bit long, and I plan on replacing it. What are you guys using? I need something with a fair amount of magnification, and eye relief from 7 to 16 or so inches. What do you recommend?

Papajohn

CEJ1895 · « **Reply #1 on:** December 23, 2004, 02:34:42 AM »

Hi papajohn428, I've got the Leupold Scout scope on my 45-70 Guide Gun in Warne low QD rings and mounted on an AO scout scope mount. It also has the AO ghost ring receiver sight set. It took a little while for me to get used to shooting with both eyes open instead of just my right eye but it paid off great this year, I busted a 242lb dressed 10 pointer that I would have never seen instead of the 4 pointer I had in my crosshairs! It also makes the rifle easier to carry and doesn't effect the balance or handling like a conventional mounted scope sometimes does on a lever gun. Also you have greater control of the hammer. Try it You'll like it!! CEJ.. :-D

Thebear_78 · « **Reply #2 on:** December 23, 2004, 11:19:53 PM »

You really can't beat the leupold 2.5 IER scout scope. THe only other nice scout scopes out there are the Burris 1x and the 2.75x scout scopes. They are all nice scopes and about the same price. I went with the leupold mainly because I wanted the heavy german post reticle. It is much easier to aquire especially in low light yet still plent precise enough for shooting withing the working range of the 45/70, 200 yards.

Doubletap · « **Reply #3 on:** December 26, 2004, 09:57:56 AM »

On my .444 I use the Burris 2.75X Scout Scope. It's currently set up in the Ashley (or XS or whatever they're current name is) mount, which is OK, but not great. I specificlally went with the Burris because the Leupold doesn't allow any adjustment for focus, and my eyes are just far enough out that I couldn't rule out problems.
For years I've used a Bausch and Lomb pistol scope, straight 2X, on my 308 Scout. Optically superb, it's eye relief is very, very close to the Burris. Unfortunately Bausch and Lomb discontinued it some years ago. Wish I'd bought half a dozen.
With the Scout concept I think you'll find high magnification doesn't work well. 2-3X seems to be about the max for using both eyes with speed.

papajohn428 · « **Reply #4 on:** December 26, 2004, 11:10:14 AM »

I plan on getting a variable, something along the lines of a 2X7, so I can also test loads off the bench, then dial it down for faster pickup when hunting. The older I get, the worse my eyes are, and magnification makes all the difference. I tried to shoot a four-inch bullseye this summer at 100 yards with open sights, and I couldn't even find it! :roll:

I've already got XS Scout mounts for all three Marlins, the 336 wears the pistol scope right now, but the eye relief is just a hair too long to use it comfortably, I have to move farther back on the stock when I shoot it. And once I replace it, it's going back on my Buckmark to shoot bees this summer! :wink:

PJ

missouri dave · « **Reply #5 on:** May 26, 2007, 06:23:09 AM »

What's the eye relief you really want on one of these? I'm thinking of scouting out mine but I want a variable too. Nikon has a 2.5 x 8 eer but I'm wondering if the eye relief might be too long.

wcf3030 · « **Reply #6 on:** May 26, 2007, 06:40:00 AM »

I heard nothing but bad things about the BSA 2x $30 scope. So I bought one.

I've put almost 500rds out of my 30-30 with not one problem.

ScoutMan · « **Reply #7 on:** May 27, 2007, 01:10:17 AM »

Issues with the scout scope:
1-If you are cross eyed dominant (strong left eye but right handed) the scout scope advantage is questionable. You'll see the barrel and front sight with your left eye when you mount the rifle.

2-Light gathering- Does not have the light gathering ability a scope has that is mounted in the conventional position. This is significant if most of your "good" hunting time is pre-dawn or post dusk.

3-Weight- A scope with rings will come in at about 1lb. This will affect the handling dynamics of the rifle. If you subscribe to the "scout" concept your rifle should weight < 7.5 lbs scoped slung but unloaded. (Are your sure you can't make do with a ghost ring/ post combination?)

papajohn428 · « **Reply #8 on:** May 27, 2007, 04:25:50 AM »

wcf3030, you're right about that BSA 2X.......I put one on my 44 Marlin, and put close to 5,000 heavy loads through that gun before I finally replaced it with a higher magnification scope. In fact, I had two of them and sold them both, now i wish I had them back! I can't speak for the BSA variables, but the lower power fixed scopes are solid as a rock.

To update this thread, I recently picked up a Marlin 375, and put an NcStar 2X7 on it. If it lasts awhile, I plan on getting several more, the price is right (Around $70) and the eye relief is PERFECT!

Papajohn

Rangr44 · « **Reply #9 on:** May 27, 2007, 05:04:43 AM »

Hey, papajohn - I stayed with a pistol scope after trying both the Leupy & the Burris Scout scopes.

You need to do a little more delving, B4 buying just "a pistol scope", since the various pistol scopes from the various makers have different eye relief "windows" - the "window" being the sweet spot where you get a full sight picture.
The eye relief window measurements are in the specifications listing for most pistol scopes.

For Example:
In addition to the "Scout" scopes, I also tried a Weaver 2-7X pistol scope, but it's 11" to 21" "window" was too far away from my eye @ the lower end (11") for a full sight picture, so I switched to a Weaver 2X20, which has a 9" to 17" "window" - and suited me just fine - YMMV.

wcf3030 · « **Reply #10 on:** May 28, 2007, 08:00:53 AM »

Quote from: papajohn428 on May 27, 2007, 04:25:50 AM

wcf3030, you're right about that BSA 2X.......I put one on my 44 Marlin, and put close to 5,000 heavy loads through that gun before I finally replaced it with a higher magnification scope. In fact, I had two of them and sold them both, now i wish I had them back! I can't speak for the BSA variables, but the lower power fixed scopes are solid as a rock.

To update this thread, I recently picked up a Marlin 375, and put an NcStar 2X7 on it. If it lasts awhile, I plan on getting several more, the price is right (Around $70) and the eye relief is PERFECT!

Papajohn

The only thing I would change would also be the magnification. I'll switch someday to a 4x, but right now I'm going to enjoy my 29.99 scope.
Enjoy that 375. I had one in a Win 94. Awesome round!!

lgm270 · « **Reply #11 on:** May 30, 2007, 07:41:56 AM »

Quote from: wcf3030 on May 26, 2007, 06:40:00 AM

I heard nothing but bad things about the BSA 2x $30 scope. So I bought one.
I've put almost 500rds out of my 30-30 with not one problem.

Nice looking 30-30. What is the barrel length?

canon6 · « **Reply #12 on:** May 30, 2007, 02:40:18 PM »

Not a Marlin but I built a pseudo-scout on a 1916 Spanish Mauser(7.62X51) several years ago.My pardner in Wyoming has sit it has had over 500 full house 7.62 rounds and the much maligned BSA pistol is still going strong. Doug

tantrum · « **Reply #13 on:** May 31, 2007, 08:31:58 AM »

WCF30/30, What base and rings do you have? Was it difficult to install?

wcf3030 · « **Reply #14 on:** May 31, 2007, 05:02:42 PM »

Quote from: lgm270 on May 30, 2007, 07:41:56 AM

Quote from: wcf3030 on May 26, 2007, 06:40:00 AM
I heard nothing but bad things about the BSA 2x $30 scope. So I bought one.
I've put almost 500rds out of my 30-30 with not one problem.

Nice looking 30-30. What is the barrel length?

Thank you.
This is a rifle worked over by Mcpherson.
The length is 17.5in

wcf3030 · « **Reply #15 on:** May 31, 2007, 05:03:50 PM »

Quote from: tantrum on May 31, 2007, 08:31:58 AM

WCF30/30, What base and rings do you have? Was it difficult to install?

XS scope mount.
Leupold quick diconnects for rings.
Very easy to install.

Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #16 on:** June 02, 2007, 12:36:48 PM »

No scout setups for me, but all my Marlins are scoped. The scopes vary but all are Leupolds. All are in Warne Quick Detach rings. The Marlisn also all haeve Williams FireSight front beads with Marlin "cut-out" sight hoods.

From the top down:

.45-70 = VX-II 2-7x (top)
.375 Win = M8 4x
.30-30 = Vari-X II 2-7x
Browning B92 in .44 Mag

adirondacker · « **Reply #17 on:** June 02, 2007, 04:32:39 PM »

i have the ao scout mount as well but it looks like i am the only one using an e-dot scope.i use an adco red-dot on my 444 outfitter.makes a real quick pointing firearm.if you can shoot with both eyes open it works out great with this type of sight.it is a little more compact than a scope,don't have to worry about eye-relief problems either.some models come with detatchable magnifiers,i prefer no magnification,even though i think i have a 4x piece for the adco.good luck,adker

Bigboar · « **Reply #18 on:** June 03, 2007, 11:38:56 AM »

Quote from: adirondacker on June 02, 2007, 04:32:39 PM

i have the ao scout mount as well but it looks like i am the only one using an e-dot scope.i use an adco red-dot on my 444 outfitter.makes a real quick pointing firearm.if you can shoot with both eyes open it works out great with this type of sight.it is a little more compact than a scope,don't have to worry about eye-relief problems either.some models come with detachable magnifiers,i prefer no magnification,even though i think i have a 4x piece for the adco.good luck,adker

No, I too have discovered the red dot sight, fast and light. The one I put on my Guide Gun is the Z-point by Zeiss. I have run several hundred rounds through it now. Mostly full house loads with no problems. Good luck.

bigboar

Bigboar · « **Reply #19 on:** August 01, 2007, 02:29:11 PM »

I put on a Zeiss Z-Point in an AO scout mount on mt 1895 G.G. in 45/70. I sen 420 grain LFN slugs at top velocity and it has held up to all I send through it. I am Very satisfied with this setup. Happy Hunting

bigboar

cwlongshot · « **Reply #20 on:** August 07, 2007, 02:17:49 PM »

Mine is also a Leupold scope, but I use a M8 2X pistol scope. Its mounted in Leupold QRW rings on a Ashley base, in caliber 375Winchester.

I LOVE the setup!! I can accurately shoot with both eyes open. its shoots very well at moving game. Something I generally do not condone. But with practice, using a setup like this, where you can use both eyes it can work very well!!

CW

wcf3030 · « **Reply #21 on:** August 08, 2007, 02:41:46 AM »

Quote from: cwlongshot on August 07, 2007, 02:17:49 PM

Mine is also a Leupold scope, but I use a M8 2X pistol scope. Its mounted in Leupold QRW rings on a Ashley base, in caliber 375Winchester.

I LOVE the setup!! I can accurately shoot with both eyes open. its shoots very well at moving game. Something I generally do not condone. But with practice, using a setup like this, where you can use both eyes it can work very well!!

CW

Sharp looking 375 you got there.

30-06man · « **Reply #22 on:** August 12, 2007, 01:16:47 PM »

Quote from: wcf3030 on August 08, 2007, 02:41:46 AM

Quote from: cwlongshot on August 07, 2007, 02:17:49 PM
Mine is also a Leupold scope, but I use a M8 2X pistol scope. Its mounted in Leupold QRW rings on a Ashley base, in caliber 375Winchester.

I LOVE the setup!! I can accurately shoot with both eyes open. its shoots very well at moving game. Something I generally do not condone. But with practice, using a setup like this, where you can use both eyes it can work very well!!

CW

Sharp looking 375 you got there.

I agree. Nice Grained Walnut stocks and deep bluing.

HAMMERHEAD · « **Reply #23 on:** August 13, 2007, 06:18:27 AM »

Mine is a Marlin 1894CP (16" .357-no longer made) with an Ashley scout mount and a Weaver 2X (I think it's 2X) handgun scope with low, verticaly split rings (Millet I believe).

Balance is just forward of the lever pivot.

I tried a Burris 2X pistol scope but could not get it far enough from my eyes. I tried a Trijicon Reflex sight, but it sat too high.

I ended up with the Weaver in a trade and it is perfect.

When I bring it up to eye level, the scope itself is almost invisible, you just see the scope picture. With the large objective lens and only 2X power, I'm not loosing any light. Works great at dusk or dawn. Thinking of adding a crosshair illuminator.