Ive had a number of things set up as scouts, including an AR for a little while, and figured out pretty quick, some things work, and some things dont. Not that some things dont benefit from parts of the concept. Red dots, mounted as far forward as possible on most things, comes in there.
While I was never real picky about the weight, weight does make a bit of a difference. Things like the M1A, converted military guns, etc, are not as handy as the lighter, and better balanced bolt guns. Lets face it, they are still heavy and unless youre fit, tend to be a chunk to lug around and shoulder. You need to be realistic in how youre using them. If youre basing everything from shooting off a bench, you may be in for a surprise in the field.
Speaking of "handy", I tried the scout scope set up on a Winchester Trapper, and hated it. Some things are best left alone. Adding the scope and mount to the little lever gun, took away most of that handiness.
I also have an FR8, and it too, has been left alone, as I find them about perfect as they come. Now wacking or changing the barrel on a straight bolt, stripper fed Mauser, and fitting a better stock, would be the way Id go there.
The forward mounted scope isnt perfect either, and has its bad points. The biggest negative I found, was low light coming in over your shoulder from behind. Same basic problem you often have with peep sights, light on the sight/scope itself, draw your eye to it, instead of the target, and can be very distracting, making it difficult.
I also found the set up works best, with low/no power scopes. The higher the power, the more distracting and less natural to shoot with. Again, this is more noticeable when youre away from the bench, and shouldering and shooting the rifle.
To me, the scout scope and red dot are a very similar sighing system, and used pretty much in the same way. Your focus is not on the sight, but the target. Normally, the aiming point just appears where youre looking on the target as you shoulder the gun, and just prior to the shot breaking.
