Scoping my scout.

[SoDak]

I'm looking to add a scope to my savage scout, but I'm having troubles deciding between a scout scope or just sticking a regular rifle scope on it. I'm interested in going with a regular scope since I have more options and to be honest, I don't really care if I lose the rear sight. Does anybody have some recommendations as to what would be a good optics choice?

[Amicus]

Is that the 10 FCM Scout? IIRC, the Savage Scouts appeared, then disappeared, then reappeared as a LE variant.

Scout rifles are "concept" rifles, and it's a pretty good one. They are designed as lightweight utility rifles accurate out to the effective range of the cartridge. I have created several from Swedish Mausers, and I am satisfied with the performance.

The standard scout scopes were always the Leupold 2.5x (actually more like 2.3x) and the Burris 2.75x. I like the Burris scopes with the heavy plex reticule (I don't think they make the fine plex anymore).

If you want the scout concept, then go with the Leupold or Burris scout models. Both are good. The scout scopes take a bit of getting used to, like sitting further back from the TV than you are accustomed, but they are quite fast with both eyes open and will give you a lot of peripheral awareness (less "tunnel" vision). Not to sound like an ass, but, if you don't want to use a scout scope, why go with a scout rifle?

If you look around, you may find a pistol scope that will have short enough eye relief to work for you like a scout scope, but I would be careful about getting anything with variable power settings because of the changes in eye relief. Scout rifles really work best with low power fixed power scopes.

[SoDak]

I bought it a few years back when it was rereleased with the idea of just using the irons on it. I shot it a few times, decided I didn't like the sights savage put on it, and put it away. I guess I'm still open to the scout scope idea, I was just under the impression that maybe the scout scope isn't always the best choice and maybe I'd be better off with something else.

[Amicus]

What type of scout scope did Savage include in the package?

[SoDak]

It didn't come with a scope.

[Amicus]

Ok, here's a wacky idea that came out of somewhere. You might want to take a look at the Trijicon TR21 series rifle scopes. The eye relief on these is ridiculously long for a "standard" rifle scope. Officially, it is listed as 4.8" (lowest mag) to 3.4" (highest mag). Actually, I think you could add an inch to those measurements.

If you mounted the scope as far back as possible, it might put the ocular (eyepiece) just about over the rear sight. You'll have to do some pretty careful measuring, but it could work. I encourage you to check out a TR21 before you try this. Two TR21s with post sights (not crosshair) are available on the Sample List at SWFA for $449-$499.

It could be the best, or the worst, of both worlds. Good luck.

[chris914]

Having owned a Savage Scout for 2 years now, I like the Burris scout scope with one exception. The cross hairs in the scope are too big for much precision. The rifle will shoot much better than the scope allows me to "see". I am about to sent my scope back to burris for a recticle swap to a ballistic plex type that has been calibrated for my particular pet load. Once it comes back I will be able to shoot out to about 500 by just putting the plex cross hairs on the target. I feel that the cross hairs in the Leupold are just as bad. This is my personal preference but I do know that others have similar feelings about it. If you are not married to the scout concept as set forth by Jeff Cooper then get yourself a nice low power variable and put it in some QD rings with a back up sight that can be carried on the rifle in a stock pack. You can still exercise the concept just not as fast as if the sight was attached all the time. I think that your choice really depends on your intended purposes. What do you want to do with this rifle?

[MAUSER88]

Any optic you put on the Scout will only give you a partial cheekweld. I prefer a sold cheekweld with a .308 rifle.

I added and adjustable cheekpad and went with an Aimpoint ML3Comp. With this setup I get a perfect solid cheekweld.

[8th]

For fixed power the Leupold IER not EER is the hands down winner. Make sure you get the newer version with a forward bell. The older version sucked in my opinion and is the main reason the concept is not more widely accepted. If you want a bit more magnification then look at the Burris Pistol Scopes. I have a 2-7 variable with ballistics plex on my scout 308. If I had to do it again I would really look at the illuminated reticle ones.

As far as check weld all of the scopes mentioned give me a check weld on the different rifles I have tried them on including, marlin 45/70, custom mauser, remington with mcmillian Md 7 stock, a M1A scout and M1a socom. You just have to use the right height rings. For that matter they also work on an AK with a ultimak.

[Amicus]

Any optic you put on the Scout will only give you a partial cheekweld. I prefer a sold cheekweld with a .308 rifle.

I added and adjustable cheekpad and went with an Aimpoint ML3Comp. With this setup I get a perfect solid cheekweld.

Mauser88: is that a Karsten Camo model?