{"id":10673,"date":"2014-12-03T08:03:57","date_gmt":"2014-12-03T08:03:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/?p=10673"},"modified":"2021-02-09T15:45:40","modified_gmt":"2021-02-09T15:45:40","slug":"scout-scopes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/scout-scopes\/","title":{"rendered":"Scout Scopes"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Scout<\/a><\/p>\n

I\u2019ve been somewhat enamored by COL Cooper\u2019s concept of the Scout rifle and his insistence on the long eye-relief or \u201cscout\u201d scope. Only in the last few years have I gotten serious about experimenting with both. I\u2019ve learned some things for sure.<\/p>\n

First, I learned that as useful as the scout rifle might be as a general-purpose rifle, there are a variety of other rifles – like my CUR<\/a> – that can fill that niche. Cooper was very critical of magnification and distrustful of optical sights, which is one reason he insisted on back-up irons. But, today\u2019s optics are very dependable. And, as much as Cooper thought magnification was not needed, a lifetime of hunting all over the world has shown me that some shots cannot be made without at least 4X magnification; you cannot shoot what you cannot see. Dark timber and brush limit the usefulness of low power optics.<\/p>\n

Secondly, many of us do not want or need a single rifle to sort all our problems out with. We can have deer rifles, varmint rifles, home defense carbines and any number of other specialty long guns to use as the need dictates.<\/p>\n

Finally, a compact rifle that allows for both eyes open aiming with open sights or a riflescope, and that allows unrestricted access to the action can be handy, particularly when combined with some of the other features like COL Cooper suggested on a true scout rifle. I don\u2019t think there is any arguing that the Steyr Scout is the best of the bunch, followed closely by the Ruger Gunsite Scout Rifle.<\/p>\n

With the help of Jerry Dove at Dove Custom Guns<\/a> and Jim Brockman at Brockman Custom Rifles<\/a> I\u2019ve put together a few scout rifles and I have to say they are useful and damn handy. You\u2019ll be able to read about each of these in upcoming feature articles in Guns & Ammo<\/a> and several of the Special Editions from Guns Magazine<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In the meantime, I thought it might be helpful to share what I\u2019ve learned about some of the scout scopes available on the market. After all, what is a scout rifle without a scout scope?<\/p>\n

\"Scout<\/a><\/p>\n

Leupold Scout Scope<\/h4>\n

This is the scope that comes with the Steyr Scout Rifle. It is 10 inches long, weighs less than eight ounces and offers 2.3X magnification. It has no focusing ability; if you need glasses to see you\u2019ll need them to see the reticle in focus. This is a negative as far as I\u2019m concerned. But, this is a rugged optic with a 9.3-inch eye relief and a 22-foot field of view at 100 yards. The objective and ocular lens housing is 1.4 inches in diameter, which means it can be mounted with its center about 0.8 inches above the bore. I used this scope in South Africa several years ago to take several warthogs, a few of which were not sitting still.<\/p>\n

If you have good eyes, this is a great option<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Scout<\/a><\/p>\n

Leupold Custom Scout Scope<\/h4>\n

Direct from the Leupold Custom Shop<\/a> you can get a variable powered scout scope. It offers 1.5 \u2013 4X magnification with a variable eye relief from 7.75 to 8.75 inches, depending on where the magnification is set. The same is true with field of view, which ranges from 8 to 41 feet at 100 yards. It is also light at 8.8 ounces. This was the optic I used on my 1895 Marlin lever-action when I when buffalo hunting in Mozambique. Like the standard Leupold scout scope the reticle is thin and I would have preferred something more robust. Like the fixed power Leupold, it can be mounted low.<\/p>\n

This scope has an adjustable ocular so you can focus it but on every rifle I\u2019ve mounted it, it extends back beyond the action \/ ejection port. Not a big deal on a lever gun but on a bolt it sort of defeats some of the purpose of the scope concept. The option of more magnification is handy for longer shots or when more precision is needed.<\/p>\n

\"Scout<\/a><\/p>\n

Burris Scout Scope<\/h4>\n

Recently I\u2019ve been playing with the Burris 2.5 x 20mm Scout Scope<\/a>. I like it. Its weighs 7 ounces, has a thick duplex style reticle and is only 9 inches long. It can also be focused to your eye and be mounted just as low as the Leupold. However, the field of view is 7 feet narrower than the fixed power Leupold and the eye relief is two inches shorter.<\/p>\n

If I wanted a both eyes open, fixed power scout scope this would be my first pick.<\/p>\n

\"Scout<\/a><\/p>\n

Burris Variable Scout Scope<\/h4>\n

This is really an interesting take on the scout scope. It has a magnification range of 2 to 7X and is also fitted with a ballistic compensating reticle. To me this scope is the perfect match for a general-purpose rifle that might be used for just about anything. It is a little heavier and the eye relief varies from 9.2 to 12 inches. Still, it\u2019s easy to find a sweet spot for mounting without the ocular housing intruding in the area of the ejection port. Field of view runs from 4.6 to 16 feet at 100 yards and it is heavier at 13 ounces.<\/p>\n

For a do it all, optic for a scout rifle, this may be the best option<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Scout<\/a><\/p>\n

Weaver Scout Scope<\/h4>\n

Little known to some is the Weaver 4X scout scope. Granted, the 4X magnification sort of inhibits the fast application and both eyes open shooting for some but it is indeed handy at longer distances and when trying to see an animal in low light or thick brush. I really like this scope and have two of them. One is on a custom Ruger American .22 Magnum made scout ready by Jerry Dove. The other I\u2019m using on my Jim Brockman customized Marlin 1894 in .327 Federal Magnum. Its 9.5 inches long, weighs 9.5 ounces and has 9.5 inches of eye relief with an 8-foot field of view at 100 yards. Its perfect for a rimfire scout for precision shooting and great to have handy for an iron sighted centerfire scout rifle when low light or precision work is needed.<\/p>\n

If you were primarily looking for some magnification assistance with a scout rifle, this scope is a good option<\/a>, especially in quick release rings.<\/p>\n

\"Scout<\/a><\/p>\n

EOTech Holographic Sight with Magnifier<\/h4>\n

In reality, the scout type bolt-action rifle has been superseded by the AR platform. Anything you can do with a scout rifle you can do with an AR. This is even truer when you consider the lighter weight DPMS GII which will come in just under Cooper\u2019s 7.7-pound maximum weight.<\/p>\n

My GII is equipped with an EOTech Model 518 holographic sight with side controls and a prototype G45 5X magnifier<\/a>. (Both will be released by EOTech in 2015.). This system sort of offers the best of both worlds as far as the AR is concerned. You have the zero magnification holographic sight for close in work and with a slap you can engage the magnifier for longer shots. What most folks do not realize is that the magnifier does not magnify the reticle in the holographic sight, making it perfect for precision application.<\/p>\n

I used this set up to take an elk and a whitetail in Montana at 345 and 331 yards respectively. Both can also be mounted to a bolt-action rifle equipped with a rail; my wife did this while taking a course a Gunsite with a Mossberg bolt-action. She was impressed with the set up with the exception of the high mounting which made establishing a good cheek weld difficult. This of course is not an issue with an AR<\/p>\n

With the AR the choice is simple for me. With a bolt-action scout rifle consider exactly what you need the optic to do and choose accordingly.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I\u2019ve been somewhat enamored by COL Cooper\u2019s concept of the Scout rifle and his insistence on the long eye-relief or \u201cscout\u201d scope. Only in the last few years have I gotten serious about experimenting with both. I\u2019ve learned some things for sure. First, I learned that as useful as the scout rifle might be as a general-purpose rifle, there are a variety …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[2509,2522,3024,2500],"tags":[2340,1186,82,62,2341,91,2237],"class_list":["post-10673","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-defense","category-hunt","category-scout-rifles","category-shooting","tag-burris-scout-scope","tag-eotech","tag-gunsite","tag-jeff-cooper","tag-leupold-scout-scope","tag-scout-scopes","tag-weaver-scout-scope"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p5hujZ-2M9","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":13031,"url":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/mossberg-mvp-scout-vortex-scot-scope-combination\/","url_meta":{"origin":10673,"position":0},"title":"Mossberg MVP Scout \/ Vortex Scout Scope Combination","author":"gunwriter","date":"March 1, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Mossberg has teamed with Vortex optics to offer several package rifles. One is the MVP Scout with the\u00a0new Vortex Scout Scope.\u00a0The Mossberg MVP Scout is a compact, lightweight, bolt-action rifle well suited to general purpose use. The fact that you can now get it from the factory with a serviceable\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "DEFENSE"","block_context":{"text":"DEFENSE","link":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/category\/defense\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"MVP-4","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/MVP-4.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/MVP-4.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/MVP-4.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/MVP-4.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":17247,"url":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/scout-rifle-weights-measures\/","url_meta":{"origin":10673,"position":1},"title":"Scout Rifle Weights & Measures","author":"gunwriter","date":"April 8, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"I often get questions about the weight of the Scout Rifle as defined by Jeff Cooper. This varied from 3.0 to 3.5 kilos, depending on the written reference. Originally Cooper specified a weight of 3.0 kilos (6.61 pounds) that included the sling and the scope. Later he also specified 3.5\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "HUNTING"","block_context":{"text":"HUNTING","link":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/category\/hunt\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/SR-2.jpg?fit=1200%2C312&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/SR-2.jpg?fit=1200%2C312&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/SR-2.jpg?fit=1200%2C312&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/SR-2.jpg?fit=1200%2C312&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/SR-2.jpg?fit=1200%2C312&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":15934,"url":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/the-mini-cooper\/","url_meta":{"origin":10673,"position":2},"title":"The Mini-Cooper","author":"gunwriter","date":"February 20, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Jeff Cooper was the originator of the scout rifle concept. He started with a Remington model 600 in 1966 and advanced the concept from there. The ultimate result was the Steyr Scout. Ever since Cooper first mentioned the concept, custom gunsmiths and major manufactures have bastardized it. All hoped to\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "BOOKS by Richard Mann"","block_context":{"text":"BOOKS by Richard Mann","link":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/category\/books\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Mini-Cooper-8.jpg?fit=1000%2C667&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Mini-Cooper-8.jpg?fit=1000%2C667&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Mini-Cooper-8.jpg?fit=1000%2C667&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Mini-Cooper-8.jpg?fit=1000%2C667&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":13336,"url":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/scout-rifle-shangri-la-happy-birthday-jeff-cooper\/","url_meta":{"origin":10673,"position":3},"title":"Scout Rifle Shangri-La – Happy Birthday Jeff Cooper","author":"gunwriter","date":"May 10, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"It is only fitting this post happen today. You see, today is Jeff Cooper\u2019s birthday. In the late 60s Cooper began experimenting with lightweight bolt-action carbines. Greatly influenced by the life and writings of Frederick Russell Burnham, Cooper envisioned this general-purpose rifle as, \u201c\u2026a short, light, handy, versatile, utility rifle.\u201d\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "DEFENSE"","block_context":{"text":"DEFENSE","link":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/category\/defense\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"CC-11","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/CC-11.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/CC-11.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/CC-11.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/CC-11.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":16758,"url":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/analysis-of-the-scout-rifle-part-6\/","url_meta":{"origin":10673,"position":4},"title":"Analysis of the Scout Rifle: Part 6","author":"gunwriter","date":"March 14, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"This is the sixth and final part in a series of articles concerning the Scout Rifle. It could be considered an addendum to my book,\u00a0The Scout Rifle Study. The Disparity between Definition and Performance Firearms, regardless of what they're called, are intended to serve a purpose; they're engineered and designed\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Latest"","block_context":{"text":"Latest","link":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/category\/latest\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Scout-3.jpg?fit=1000%2C750&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Scout-3.jpg?fit=1000%2C750&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Scout-3.jpg?fit=1000%2C750&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Scout-3.jpg?fit=1000%2C750&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":11431,"url":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/year-of-the-scout\/","url_meta":{"origin":10673,"position":5},"title":"Year of the Scout","author":"gunwriter","date":"March 5, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"As predicted pre-SHOT Show, 2015 looks to be the year of the scour rifle. We've already seen two new introductions and Ruger and Steyr have added models to the line up. Some may find the concept unusual but the good news is these rifles have a lot to offer even\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "DEFENSE"","block_context":{"text":"DEFENSE","link":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/category\/defense\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Scout-1","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/Scout-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/Scout-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/Scout-1.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/Scout-1.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10673","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10673"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10673\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16608,"href":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10673\/revisions\/16608"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10673"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10673"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10673"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}