seant8
10-03-16, 23:27
After reading "The Art of the Rifle" blog, getting swept up in some of Jeff Cooper's writings, and browsing the scout rifle forum I couldn't stand it any longer and had to have me one of these "one rifle" bolt guns. This is what I wound up with:
http://i.imgur.com/3arPLKd.jpg
Mossberg MVP Thunder Ranch .308, Leupold VX2 2-7x33 scope, Riflecraft RS-2 sling, Simple Threaded Devices 7.62 linear comp/flash hider.
My biggest challenge was learning to run the damn thing left handed since I'm cross dominant and shoot scopes with both eyes open much better with my dominant eye. It finally clicked for me combining a couple of things:
1. This technique: http://artoftherifle.com/bolt-technique-with-the-weak-hand/2011/12/bolt-technique-with-the-weak-hand.html . It allows me to sling up and still work the bolt. Running the bolt with the right hand while the left is on the pistol grip is treacherous on this gun, you have to get your thumb the hell out of the way.
2. Taking full advantage of the scope's eye relief to get the ocular bell clear of the left hand so I can grab the bolt efficiently. The Leupold has generous eye relief and I was able to get it far enough forward to get a good sight picture in all magnifications from standing to prone, and still make room for my left hand to get the bolt. I would say to anyone in the same boat, get >4" eye relief on a scope even if it costs more. A full on scout scope would really be great for this, but I didn't want to give up field of view or light gathering. This is still far enough forward for me to easily sight with both eyes open very quickly (as long as I'm behind my dominant eye. Cross dominance sucks when you are into shooting).
http://i.imgur.com/3arPLKd.jpg
Mossberg MVP Thunder Ranch .308, Leupold VX2 2-7x33 scope, Riflecraft RS-2 sling, Simple Threaded Devices 7.62 linear comp/flash hider.
My biggest challenge was learning to run the damn thing left handed since I'm cross dominant and shoot scopes with both eyes open much better with my dominant eye. It finally clicked for me combining a couple of things:
1. This technique: http://artoftherifle.com/bolt-technique-with-the-weak-hand/2011/12/bolt-technique-with-the-weak-hand.html . It allows me to sling up and still work the bolt. Running the bolt with the right hand while the left is on the pistol grip is treacherous on this gun, you have to get your thumb the hell out of the way.
2. Taking full advantage of the scope's eye relief to get the ocular bell clear of the left hand so I can grab the bolt efficiently. The Leupold has generous eye relief and I was able to get it far enough forward to get a good sight picture in all magnifications from standing to prone, and still make room for my left hand to get the bolt. I would say to anyone in the same boat, get >4" eye relief on a scope even if it costs more. A full on scout scope would really be great for this, but I didn't want to give up field of view or light gathering. This is still far enough forward for me to easily sight with both eyes open very quickly (as long as I'm behind my dominant eye. Cross dominance sucks when you are into shooting).