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Wanted honest scout scope reviews

28K views 43 replies 21 participants last post by  axom 
#1 ·
I am in the market for a scout scope but can not find very many good reviews. Oh I can find lots of "table top" reviews but these only tell me if I should run away from a product due to fit or finish. What I want is the good, the bad and especially the Ugly. If you haven't put more then 500 rounds down range then please don't tell me its awesome. An example of what I'm looking for is about a year ago there was a lot of talk about the Leatherwood Hi-Lux ATR Long Eye Relief Scout Rifle Scope. A lot of you guys bought it but I have only seen one person comment about it after having taken it too the range. So for those of you who have something that works really well please share and for those of you who had something that you regret paying for, let your brothers know so we don't make the same mistake.
 
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#3 ·
...a lot of talk about the Leatherwood Hi-Lux ATR Long Eye Relief Scout Rifle Scope. A lot of you guys bought it...
I'm not aware of any the M14forum members talking about or buying this scope and I've been working on accurizing my SOCOM for quite a while, but then I tend to ignore an awful lot of the general conversations. Personally I don't like any of the modern era Hi-Lux products, they tend to be cheap versions of the old stuff.

I've tried two scopes on my SOCOM, the Leupold FX-II 2.5x28mm fixed power Scout scope and the Nikon Force XR 2.5-8x28mm scope with the BDC reticle, I like the Nikon the best.

The Leupold didn't have enough magnification, the rifle actually outshoots the scope. It is a little more compact but that advantage doesn't outweigh my ability to zero in on a coyote at 400 yards.

The Nikon has been a solid, reliable performer for the last couple of years and I have well over 1000 rounds through it. The glass is clear and the colors are accurate, the brightness is on par with scopes that have standard objective lens sizes. I work at a range and I've a few of the Nikon scopes have problems with the adjustment knobs but I haven't seen that issue with the Force XR scope.
 
#30 ·
Greetings,

Well, similar (sort of) here. My 18" M14 initially was set up with a forward "scout" config using a Leupold 2.5x. For my eyes, not enough magnification or at least not what I was looking for.

As an interim (and something completely different), I installed a Sadlak mount and a Leupold MK4 3-10x 40mm. This was good for bench shooting, but I really wanted to go back to the "scout" concept.

Based pretty much on RAMMACs experience, I ordered the same Nikon he used. I'm currently waiting on a set rings I ordered, so can't comment on how well it will or will not work for me. I can report back after I get it installed and try it out, but am figuring it will be a decent set up without spending $$$$ on the optic and at least get me some more magnification than the first Leupold.

Regards, Jim



The Leupold didn't have enough magnification, the rifle actually outshoots the scope. It is a little more compact but that advantage doesn't outweigh my ability to zero in on a coyote at 400 yards.

The Nikon has been a solid, reliable performer for the last couple of years and I have well over 1000 rounds through it. The glass is clear and the colors are accurate, the brightness is on par with scopes that have standard objective lens sizes. I work at a range and I've a few of the Nikon scopes have problems with the adjustment knobs but I haven't seen that issue with the Force XR scope.
 
#4 ·
Thanks RAMMAC this is exactly what I was looking for. If you search the Hi-lux there are a couple of threads that talk a lot about it but like I said no one has come back to talk about how it has held up.
 
#5 ·
I mounted a Leupold VX-II on a Mosin Nagant for my brother... given this is a $100 gun (His first rifle i bought for him as a birthday present... Very Sentamental), but a scout scope on a rifle that shoots a 7.62x54R bullet nun-tha-less.

The Scope has held up nicely over about 440 rounds (1 tin of surplus ammo), we are still trying to find a mount that will hold up to the rifle (Getting a third one this christmas) but the scope did get knocked off the weapon when the first mount broke, it landed on the concrete at the shooting range(fell about 4ft).

Glass did not break, the front end of the scope bent a little and the paint scratched where it struck the ground. The scope kept the zero when we replaced the mount with no issues.

The scope is a variable zoom, when you set the scope make sure you get the eye relief set on max zoom or else you will loose your sight picture when you zoom in. The Tube is a little longer which gives you more room to set eye relief.
No glare when you shoot into the rising sun, never had a problem with clear sight picture in the morning fog, however in late evening with the glass does become a little hazzy at maximum zoom due to the small objective diameter... you will have to zoom out to clearly see your target.
 
#6 ·
A "Scout" scope is a long eye relief scope that usually mounts on the barrel, not a standard scope that mounts on the receiver. The Leupold VX II is a standard eye releif scope.
 
#31 ·
RAMMAC,

I hate to tell you this but you are wrong... Leupold does make a VX II Scout scope with 7.75"-8.75" eye relief, I installed it on my brothers Mosin Nagant. I will try to take some pictures tonight if I can get off work at a reasonable hour.

Below is the link to the scope I bought, My brother did not see the point in paying an extra $220 for a 1.5-5x (VX R) versus the 1.5-4x (VX II)

http://swfa.com/Leupold-15-4x28-VX-II-Scout-Scope-P50858.aspx
 
#8 ·
If you are going to scope a mosin I would suggest this mount, anything else just doesn't seem to hold up well and for the cost of the 3 mounts you have bought thus far you could have paid for one of these. http://www.rocksolidind.com/
 
#9 ·
No one else has any info or advice?
 
#12 ·
I have one of these on my Socom and like it a lot. Nice eye relief and clear optics. Has lighted reticule which is adjustable for intensity. Only drawback it's kinda big but points quickly and is well made.

http://swfa.com/Leupold-15-5x33-VX-R-Scout-Scope-P51466.aspx

How long have you had this scope? I really like the looks of it. I am going to have to get behind my rifle and check out the Eye relief distance to see if it clears the action.
 
#15 ·
My 25 years old eyes have no problem using these iron sights, as I said I got the ultimak in a trade. I figure I would go ahead and give this rail a sight. I am not sure about ACOG I didn't know that they made long eye relief scopes. I'll have to check it out.
 
#16 ·
I've only had the Leupold 2.5x IER Scout Scope. I was one of the guys with a lemon SOCOM for accuracy, so I never got to see the accuracy potential of the scope in that combination.

I did like the 2.5x fixed power and found that even with being cross-eye dominant that I could use it with both eyes open. I thought the scope's quality was very good, and would easily buy the Leupold again. I had it mounted in low Weaver rings.
 
#17 ·
Had it for about 2 months. Bought it used nib from a private party. Only place you can purchase one is though SWFA. Leupold doesn't even have any last time I checked. Eye relief is good even at 5X. You might be able to find one used somewhere for less than SWFA sells them for which is $599 I think. Gonna use it for deer, hog etc...
 
#20 ·
So I'm thinking I am going to go ahead and try out the Leatherwood LER now my only question would the 308 BDC work well for the M2 30-06?
 
#22 ·
I originally had the Leupold FXII 2.5x28. It was a fine optic. The glass was very clear, but I wanted somehing with more magnification. I sold it to buy the Leatherwood Hi-Lux 2-7x33. That was a mistake. While it held up, it was an ok scope, but it lost its ability to change power. The ring turned to change magnification is held with a tiny Philips screw into the body, which stripped out. Now it is just a fixed 2x scope . It was cheaper, but you really do get what you pay for. I now have the Burris 2.75x fixed power, which, so far, has been very serviceable. If I could find one, I would try the Nikon Encore 2-8x with BDC that RAMMAC mentioned earlier. I just don't think they make them anymore.
 
#32 ·
Rammac,

Does the BDC work on this scope w/ 308 since it was made for pistol velocities? Or do you just pretend it is not there?

Justin
 
#29 ·
I must ask if you have read any of the other posts or if you just skipped to adding your not quite helpful 2cents. If you didn't bother to read what has be posted on this thread let me fill you in. I got the ultimak in a trade, it was already on the rifle. I figured what the heck I'll give it a try before I sell it. If I get a scout scope now and decide I don't like the scope on the garand then I can just mothball the scope and sale the ultimak and move on will life. As for spending time and money scoping a rifle, the only extra money spent is on the scope and weather it stays on the garand or not I will keep it and time? How long does it take to put a scope on a rifle? Your statement is neither helpful nor appreciated.
 
#27 ·
I have the Leatherwood Hi-Lux LER scope. Few hundred rounds through it so far - has an issue where the magnification freezes when it heats up, goes back to normal as soon as it cools down.. I put new rings on it - these were as low as I could get and I went with a high set to maybe keep it a bit cooler and hopefully not pinch the tube. Don't know if it's the scope or just the rings pinching the tube that cause the magnification to lock up, I generally just leave it at 2x most of the time anyway. It's nice and clear, and I can pick up the target probably as quick as I can with the huge sites of the socom 16


 
#35 ·
I pulled this directly from the Leatherwood website. The MOA differences on the BDC line pretty much mirror what I use for come ups on my m1 and m1a rifles shooting 150 and 147gr respectively. In short I answered my own question. For those that are curious the 308 BDC should work for M2 however you need to do some range work to find out for sure. As always YMMV. I did go ahead and order this scope with BDC. I have about 500 M2 right now so I will post a dedicated review after I mount this and shoot at least 500 rnds.

LER BDC LINE HOLD OVER VALUE
Range- BDC Line- BDC Line Hold Over Values
(Yard) MOA
200yard- Center Cross- 0MOA
300yard- 1st BDC Line- 3MOA
400yard- 2nd BDC Line- 6MOA
500yard- 3rd BDC Line- 10MOA
600yard- Top of the Post- 15MOA
 
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