ANOTHER guide gun scope thread

[kayak-man]

hey guys, I know there are a ton of threads asking for recommendations for mounting a scope on a guide gun, but I'm having a rough time finding what I'm looking for and could use some input.

The main things I'm looking for in the scope are
- target style turrets, or really anything that isn't capped just capped. I want to try shooting it at longer distances, and being able to dial in my elevation instead of holding over is something I view as a plus.
- prefer 1-4x power. If at the end of the day the best option is a fixed power that meets my other needs, then I can live with that.
- long eye relief so that I can mount it without removing my XS peep sights. This is totally negotiable if a more conventional mounting location won't interfere with the current sights.
- I'm kinda picky about the retical. I like Mil Dots for ranging purposes, but I could probably be convinced to go with something else, as long as it isn't something with a boatload of subtensions intended for AR shooters, that have zero correlation to the trajectory of that 45-70 round.

I'm not planning on shooting past 200 yards, give or take, for hunting, but I'd like to be able to stretch my legs out to 300 or 400 yards just to challenge myself and develops better fundamentals with that rifle.

If anyone wants to say that half of the stuff I'm looking for is irrelevant, I'm open to getting an education

Thanks guys,
Chris

 

[Panzerschwein]

Most guide guns I've seen just have a good set of iron sights, but it appears you want something other than that.

I can't help you but the hunters and scopesman will be here soon. Hang in there!!

 

[Driftertank]

Do you have a price point you're trying to stay under? By long eye relief, do you mean long enough for a forward scout mount? Or would 3.5-4 inches be adequate?

I have a Vortex Viper PST 1-4x24 compact scope on my AR15 that sounds very close to what you're asking for. It's available with capped or target turrets, and an illuminated milling reticle in either MILs or MOA that looks like this:

The downside is the retail price runs around $500, last time i checked. But it has excellent glass, and the 1x power is TRUE 1x, meaning that once you get the zero and focus set up, it runs functionally like a red dot on 1x, both eyes open. Its still a magnifying scope with an exit pupil, so you can't look obliquely through it like a red dot, but if your rifle shoulders naturally and has a decent cheek weld, you wont have to hunt for it.

 

[kayak-man]

Do you have a price point you're trying to stay under? By long eye relief, do you mean long enough for a forward scout mount? Or would 3.5-4 inches be adequate?

I have a Vortex Viper PST 1-4x24 compact scope on my AR15 that sounds very close to what you're asking for. It's available with capped or target turrets, and an illuminated milling reticle in either MILs or MOA that looks like this:

The downside is the retail price runs around $500, last time i checked. But it has excellent glass, and the 1x power is TRUE 1x, meaning that once you get the zero and focus set up, it runs functionally like a red dot on 1x, both eyes open. Its still a magnifying scope with an exit pupil, so you can't look obliquely through it like a red dot, but if your rifle shoulders naturally and has a decent cheek weld, you wont have to hunt for it.

 

[kayak-man]

That scope looks a lot like what I'm looking for, except I doubt the eye relief is enough to let me mount it forward of the peep sight, and keeping iron sights is important to me. I'm also skeptical that mounting it on higher rings so it could just go over the peep sight would allow me to maintain any kind of cheekweld.

It doesn't need to be long enough eye relief for a true scout scope mount, so much as I just want to be able to mount the optic (preferably with one of the quick release options that claim to maintain zero) without having to remove my irons.

I appreciate the input though!

 

[horsey300]

That scope looks a lot like what I'm looking for, except I doubt the eye relief is enough to let me mount it forward of the peep sight, and keeping iron sights is important to me. I'm also skeptical that mounting it on higher rings so it could just go over the peep sight would allow me to maintain any kind of cheekweld.

It doesn't need to be long enough eye relief for a true scout scope mount, so much as I just want to be able to mount the optic (preferably with one of the quick release options that claim to maintain zero) without having to remove my irons.

I appreciate the input though!

I can't comment on the scope but I've used see-through rings on a 17 semiautomatic and a 7mmstw and it worked great. Zeroed the scope for 350 on the stw and I was covered for distance with the iron sights taking anything 200 or under, moving or not.

 

[X-Rap]

I think your looking for a bit of a unicorn in that scope request. Take any one of your requirements away and I think you can find what your after.

 

[kayak-man]

X-rap, I think you may be right, and I have adjusted my criteria slightly. There are two offerings from leupold and one from vortex that I think would probably meet my needs.

The 2.5x scout scope would probably be the safest bet, especially if I went through the custom shop to get some kind of target turret like Jeff Quinn did ( http://www.gunblast.com/Leupold-Custom4570.htm )

The VX II scout also looks promising, especially if it can receive a similar upgrade from the custom shop, but that would probably be more than I'm willing to spend https://www.leupold.com/hunting-shooting/scopes/vx-2-riflescopes/vx-2-1-5-4x28mm-ier-scout-scope/

And finally, vortex has the crossfire 2 in a scout option. http://www.vortexoptics.com/product/crossfire-II-2-7x32-scout-scope I think the turrets, although capped, would allow me to dial in my D.O.P.E. like I want. It is probably the least suited to what I want but I could also probably get the scope, scout rail, and some quality qd rings for the cost of either leupold.

Anyone have any experience with a fixed 2.5x? Jeff Quinn seemed pretty fond of his, but I'm open to other opinions

Thanks guys!
Chris

 

[jmr40]

At only 200 yards even with 45-70 there is no need to twist dials. A scope with multiple aiming points will suffice for at least 300. Forget about forward mounting, mount it conventionally, if you really think you need backup irons use QD mounts and use the regular iron sights. In 40+ years of hunting and shooting I've had more issues with iron sights failing than scopes. But I don't buy cheap scopes either.

I'm not aware of a 1-4X with long range dots, this 2-7X is the closest I'm aware of.

https://swfa.com/optics/browse/riflescopes/leupold-2-7x33-vx-2-riflescope-1.html

 

[dh1633pm]

I skipped the 1-4 route and picked out a 4x shotgun scope. Quick release allow the use of standard sights. Not what you want to hear, but has worked many years for me. Leatherwood makes their CMR Scope. 1-4 with 30 MM Tube. I have this mounted on my mini 6.8 ruger. This may be more along what your looking for. It is a pretty robust scope. And I am a Vortex man. I have eight of their scopes on various rifles.

 

[Ks5shooter]

Contact Leupold they will put darn near any reticle in a scope for you,as long as its do-able. You can send your current scope to them and they will change it as well.

 

[kayak-man]

Thanks for all the input guys!

The general consensus seems to be:
1 don't get a scout scope
2 don't worry about dialing for elevation
3 just use the stock iron sights

I replaced the stock sights with the XS sights about a year and a half ago, and have no idea where the original front sight is. And even if I did, the rear sight came from the factory canted at a slight angle, making it less than easy to use.

I totally get what everyone is saying about not needing to dial for elevation, Especially if multiple aiming points.

i found an older super cheap bushnell in my basement, and I'm going to try mounting that for now so I can save up for something that fits my needs better

 

[paulsj]

hey guys, I know there are a ton of threads asking for recommendations for mounting a scope on a guide gun, but I'm having a rough time finding what I'm looking for and could use some input.

The main things I'm looking for in the scope are
- target style turrets, or really anything that isn't capped just capped. I want to try shooting it at longer distances, and being able to dial in my elevation instead of holding over is something I view as a plus.
- prefer 1-4x power. If at the end of the day the best option is a fixed power that meets my other needs, then I can live with that.
- long eye relief so that I can mount it without removing my XS peep sights. This is totally negotiable if a more conventional mounting location won't interfere with the current sights.
- I'm kinda picky about the retical. I like Mil Dots for ranging purposes, but I could probably be convinced to go with something else, as long as it isn't something with a boatload of subtensions intended for AR shooters, that have zero correlation to the trajectory of that 45-70 round.

I'm not planning on shooting past 200 yards, give or take, for hunting, but I'd like to be able to stretch my legs out to 300 or 400 yards just to challenge myself and develops better fundamentals with that rifle.

If anyone wants to say that half of the stuff I'm looking for is irrelevant, I'm open to getting an education

Thanks guys,
Chris[/QUOTE)



Top choice trijicon accupoint 1-6x24 with triangle post. Oui, oui!

 

[paulsj]

Ps. The only problem with trijicon accupoint 1-6x24 is relatively high price.

 

[MistWolf]

First, mounting a scope to a lever action rifle is blasphemy.

Second, if you're gonna mount a scope on a rifle, maintaining compatibility with scope and rear sight should NOT be a priority. Either set the rifle up for open sights, or set it up with a scope.

Scout scopes are old technology. They have been rendered obsolete by the LPV. The Low Powered Variable is much faster on target and more user friendly.

An LPV with an illuminated reticle and good clear glass for $500 isn't unfortunate, it's a great value