Best optics for semi-auto scout rifle?

[Red State]

For all of you out there with semi-auto scout rifles: what did you mount on top of it?

A preciscion scout scope?
A fast aquisition red dot?
How much magnification did you opt for?
What is the best compromise between medium range (up to 400yds) accuracy, close range target aquisition, and low light shooting?

In other words, with a versatile gun such as a scout in .223 or .308 that could be used for plinking, hunting, or self defense, what is the most versatile sighting system?

Your thoughts and/or personal experiences are very welcome..............

 

[azredhawk44]

I have a Springer M1A Scout rifle.

I spent $200 on an ARMS #18 mount, $65 on some Leupold QRW rings, and $275 on a Leupold FX-2 4x33 scope.

I was meticulous in following the instructions to mount the scopemount and scope.

It consistently rattled loose after about 20 rounds, whether secured with locktite or not.

I shoot just under 2MOA with the irons though. Even with the scope all tight, the best I can get is just a hair over 1MOA with match ammo.

Heck, I was out with a Mosin-Nagant 91/30 popping a 12" pumpkin with its native irons and surplus ammo at 250 yards a couple weekends ago.

Irons can do everything you need them to do, as long as you put in the sweat. And they tend to not break or get muddled up like a scope does. Learn to use your irons and you'll never be let down.

 

[spencerhut]

I have a Springfield M1A with a Leatherwood scope mount, Burris Euro Daimond Ill Ret 1.5-6x scope. It's just fine for run and gun and such. No problems with the scope loosening up once I used a little Loctite Red on it.

 

[atblis]

WEll

If you've got more money than sense, the Schmidt and Bender Short dot is kinda neat.

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

What is the best compromise between medium range (up to 400yds) accuracy, close range target aquisition, and low light shooting?

A low-powered variable scope with an illuminated reticle is the best compromise optic if you want to do a little of everything.

I'd say a TA11 ACOG is a close second.

If your eyes are already pretty good, you can be very handy with a red dot as well. It just all depends. The main thing the magnified optics give you is better target acquisition.

 

[HorseSoldier]

My pick would be the ACOG, probably, both because it is a very good 0-400 (and beyond) scope and I've used one enough that I'm really confident in my ability to make it perform both at CQB and longer ranges.

That said, I'd definitely +1 the S&B Short Dot, and also suggest the Horus Talon x1-4 variable for those with money to spend.

 

[GunTech]

Aimpoint CompM3 on a ARMS QD mount on my SOCOM. The gun only shoots 2-3 MOA anyway. No point in a precision optic.

 

[TheGunGuru]

I have the bushmaster xm15 a2 rifle a2 with a 16inch barrel in standard .223 winchester. I went out and purchased a cheap Simmons prohunter 3-10x44mm scope and some shorty weaver rings, from Walmart and it works very well on the rifle. Total cost of the set up was about 175 dollars and another 900 or so for the rifle. I zeroed the rifle at 150 yards and and the gun shoots about 3 MOA at this range. I believe this is pretty decent given the short barrel and cheap ammo I shoot (wolf classic).
I use this gun on my farm, shooting every thing from rabbits, woodchucks, sick and injured animals... and it works well for all jobs. The maximum distance I have shot my rifle successfully on varmint is about 375-400 yards, the scope holds the zero and the optics are good enough to shoot that distance with ease.

 

[Wes Janson]

I put a scout mount on my Bush M1A, and mounted a Burris 2-7x32 handgun onto it...it works beautifully.

 

[Frog48]

I just put a Bushnell Trophy MP on my AR. Its pretty cool, 1x magnification (so you can shoot both eyes open), it has variable intensity red/green "T" reticles, instead of a dot. It also has backup sights molded into the optic housing. They're about $200 at Cabelas.

 

[Ian]

I picked a Burris 2-7x33 handgun scope with the ballistic plex reticle for my M1.

 

[wayne in boca]

I'm running an Eotech 512 on my Socom 16,and an Eotech 552 on the M1A Scout.Can't imagine anything I'd like better.

 

[Red State]

Great input, guys. Thanks for taking the time to post.

 

[Radman]

I have a mini-30 which shoots 2 inch groups at 100 yrds with iron sights and 2 inch groups with a 1-4 power Bushnell scope. The scope isn't good at short distance self-defense, it gets well and fogged up during the rain, and the lens get dirty. So try real hard to use the iron sights that you got with the gun, and if you can't get it down to reasonable accuracy then get something else. But with a ranch rifle most of your shots are going to be under 100 yards, and if they're over that then you probably should be shooting another gun with better accuracy when scopes matter. just my humble opinion. Like with my bull barrel accurized 22-250 that shoots one half inch groups at 300 yards a scope makes sense.
Radman

 

[Gustav]

I have played with and built a few scout rifles and have found a 1-4X VXII or 1.5-5X Mark IV Leupold or a Trijicon TR-21 to be as fast as a reflex sight only it offers more IMO its better on shots from medium ranges onward.

IOR also makes a damned good 1.1-4x illuminated CQB scope as does US optics if you want to spend that much.

In trying many different scopes I care more what can be done with it than where it is mounted. YMMV

 

[Magnum88C]

For a standard scope, I put a Leupold fixed 4x scope on my para FAL.
For a scout scope, the Leupold IER 2.5x is my choice.


If you drop the 400 yard requirement, an AimPoint is great.