Lever Action Scout
- Thread starter greg_r
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Scopes level and it is sighted in. 100yard zero.
chicharrones
needs more ammo
Newtosavage
Member
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- Nov 30, 2015
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I had trouble with scout scopes while hunting in low light situations. Took me a while to figure out why. But here's what I think the problem is...
When shooting with both eyes open, your eyes are picking up all the available light around you and your pupils will constrict accordingly. This makes the image in the scope "appear" more dim, even though it probably isn't. It also affects contrast, and the ability to pick out a brown critter in a dark background.
When using a conventional scope and closing one eye, your eye is receiving most of the light through the scope, so your pupil opens up based on that level of light. So things appear brighter even though it may be a higher power with a smaller exit pupil.
That's just my theory, but I've tried it enough times to ditch the scout scope for low-light hunting. For hunting in bright conditions or using on the range, I still very much like scout scopes and I personally think the Weaver 4x scout scope is a fantastic optic.
When shooting with both eyes open, your eyes are picking up all the available light around you and your pupils will constrict accordingly. This makes the image in the scope "appear" more dim, even though it probably isn't. It also affects contrast, and the ability to pick out a brown critter in a dark background.
When using a conventional scope and closing one eye, your eye is receiving most of the light through the scope, so your pupil opens up based on that level of light. So things appear brighter even though it may be a higher power with a smaller exit pupil.
That's just my theory, but I've tried it enough times to ditch the scout scope for low-light hunting. For hunting in bright conditions or using on the range, I still very much like scout scopes and I personally think the Weaver 4x scout scope is a fantastic optic.
It might be the gray lines, but likely the fact that I have the upper handguard off. With that upper handguard on the scope is right up against the wood. The scope does look awkward dosen't it?I think I'm the victim of an optical illusion due to the gray lines on that sheet.
I put a Leupold IER 2.5x on a Marlin 1895 using an XS rail and to be frank, it was just an awkward setup. No doubt this would be effective for many people, but I'll just go with a peep sight or a standard scope mount next time. JMHO, YMMV, etc.
I think I'm the victim of an optical illusion due to the gray lines on that sheet.
It's a gray area
Legionnaire
Contributing Member
I built a lever scout. Had a Marlin 336 Texan (straight stock) in .30-30 with a Leupold scout scope forward mounted on an XS base. It was a handy setup. Didn't work for me, though. I still lived in PA at the time, and the antler restrictions on whitetail meant you had to be able to count points from a distance and the scout scope just wasn't up to the task. It was a better tool for antlerless season. I eventually sold it off, though; part of the process through which I learned that while I like the look of lever action rifles, I don't enjoy shooting them as much as my bolt actions.
What is the holo sight on that?
Yes.
greyling22
Member
I did the scout setup on a Marlin 1894, it worked ok, but not great. Apparently I am cross eye dominant, and have issues shooting both eyes open. If you shoot 1 eye closed, the long eye relief really limits fov. I have since settled on a 2.5x conventional scope and like it a lot better.
As far as Marlin v Mossberg, well, I'm partial to Marlin's, and I know that they are simple and easy to slick up. I'm not sure about mossberg. Personally, I'll take a good Marlin over a Mossberg any day.
Also, I hate hate hate the big loop levers. I don't do the Terminator 2 cycling, wear gloves, or have fat fingers. Big loops slow down cycling and beat up my hands. But maybe I'm just doing it wrong?
As far as Marlin v Mossberg, well, I'm partial to Marlin's, and I know that they are simple and easy to slick up. I'm not sure about mossberg. Personally, I'll take a good Marlin over a Mossberg any day.
Also, I hate hate hate the big loop levers. I don't do the Terminator 2 cycling, wear gloves, or have fat fingers. Big loops slow down cycling and beat up my hands. But maybe I'm just doing it wrong?
I did the scout setup on a Marlin 1894, it worked ok, but not great. Apparently I am cross eye dominant, and have issues shooting both eyes open. If you shoot 1 eye closed, the long eye relief really limits fov. I have since settled on a 2.5x conventional scope and like it a lot better.
As far as Marlin v Mossberg, well, I'm partial to Marlin's, and I know that they are simple and easy to slick up. I'm not sure about mossberg. Personally, I'll take a good Marlin over a Mossberg any day.
Also, I hate hate hate the big loop levers. I don't do the Terminator 2 cycling, wear gloves, or have fat fingers. Big loops slow down cycling and beat up my hands. But maybe I'm just doing it wrong?
The opposite here. I find scout scopes really help with that. On a like a medium height scope ring, my left eye lines up naturally with a scout scope on a 336 or a 1894.
Heh. Well that is a given. Was more of curious as to what the make etc is. When it comes to larger ones, not one I recognize off hand.
chicharrones
needs more ammo
416ruger
Member
Unfortunately, I own three Marlin lever actions and none of them are reliable or dependable. My Browning model 1886, in my opinion is the most dependable and reliable lever action gun ever manufacturered. My post 64 winchesters beat my Marlins soundly. I just picked up a 307 winchester off gunbroker. Can't wait to see it. It duplicates the 308 in a lightweight lever gun.
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