I just put a Ruger Gunsight Scout Rifle (308 Win) on layaway. Used but new in the box.

I just think it is the coolest lightweight rifle.

Anyway, I know nothing about Scout scopes other than long eye relief. The iron sights are fine with me but I guess I need a low powered scope to put on the rail.? Should I use easy off rings?

Any suggestions? Is it hard getting used to a scope so far forward? I guess that is my main concern.

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Still Running Against the Wind

Leupold makes a dandy "Scout" scope. I have a custom from the factory 1to 5 variable inch tube on one and a 1to 5 30 mm tubed red dot {fire dot} on another. They both are good. If you do not want to go the custom route, their standard scout is a good choice.

The forward mounted scout scope is great!

I have a Remington 660 in 350 Remington magnum and a Steyr Jeff Cooper scout in 308. The forward mounted scope is so quick, so functional that I wonder why they aren't universal on using rifles.

You won't realize the real design genius of the scout concept without it.

I think quick detach ability is no benefit in practice.

Here is a second vote for the Leupold. Great scopes and their scout version is quite reasonably priced.

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Even older, even crankier....

So once I scope the rifle I wouldn't go back to the peepers??

I did a quick look at the Leupold and the Burris variable.

The rifle comes with Ruger rings but if they are like my other Rugers they are for mounting direct to the gun in the indents and not on the picatinny rail.?

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Still Running Against the Wind

I've looked at a few scout scopes for a different application. I'd vote for the Leupold.

I'm not familiar with Ruger's version of the scout, but if you don't mount the scope forward, you've defeated much of the scout concept. If its set up to mount the scope over the action (traditional rear mount position) resist the temptation to use that set up.

My Marlin Guide gun is set up in a scout configuration. I have used the Leupold scout scopes in the past, but on this one I went with a Sightron red dot, zero magnification scope. Last time I "worked out" with this rifle, I placed 5 shots as fast as I could in about 2" @ 50 yards, I did this twice in about 5 minutes with a hot hand load that has a lot more recoil than 308. If battery issues bother you, Trijicon make several solutions to questions we thought of yet. Ivan

To use the standard Ruger rings I believe you would have to remove the rear sight and take off the picatinny rail, Which as you say defeats the whole thing, I'll just have to wait untill I get it to figure the rings.

RH Matte Black metal

Ruger® Gunsite Scout Rifle Models

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Still Running Against the Wind

I have a LER scope mounted forward on a Marlin Lever Action 94c. I have never been able to pick up the sights so fast. Thumbs up from me.

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Regards, Ron
USASA 1965/69

I've used both of my Nikon 2x20 EER and a 2.5-8x28 EER handgun scopes in the forward position on my Ruger Gunsight.

My preferred scope is the 2x20 due to it's light weight and compact dimensions. While it's doesn't have a lot of magnification or a BDC reticle it's extremely sharp and a real featherweight that is well suited for shots out to about 75 yards.

However for long range shooting the larger variable power scope is a no brainer due the advantage of the higher maximum magnification and the BDC reticle that's calibrated for the 308 Winchester. One disadvantage for this particular scope is that the eye relief varies with the magnification, so you have to move your head a bit when you go from the minimum magnification to the maximum. I don't know if the Leupold variable power scopes also feature a shifting eye relief like the Nikon but if they don't I would say that is a HUGE advantage to the Leupold. Fact is I find that shift in the eye relief a bit of a PITA.

As for mounting rings, take if from someone who tried some see thru mounting rings to permit the iron sights to be used in a co-witness setup. High mounting rings on the Ruger don't allow a good cheek weld to the stock and that will really impede accurate shooting. What you want for mounting rings are the lowest rise rings that will allow the scope to clear the rail and receiver. Low rings allow a good cheek weld and will make shooting for pinpoints much much easier.

BTW, the trigger on the Ruger is very clean breaking but a touch heavy at 4 lbs. even. While this is a bit heavy for achieving the best accuracy In My Opinion this slightly heavy trigger is DEAD ON PERFECT for a Hunting Rifle. The simple truth is the trigger is just heavy enough to minimize the risk of an AD due to Hunting Jitters. With some practice it will become routine to produce 3 shot cloverleafs at 50 yards you can totally cover with a Dime. When the barrel is relatively cold the Ruger is capable of sub MOA accuracy with room to spare. Bad news is that forward rail is attached to the barrel and as a result you will see some vertical stringing as the barrel heats up. What happens is that as the barrel warms up it grows longer and that mounting rail doesn't heat up nearly as much so it doesn't increase in length. End result is that the mounting rail will exert a bit of "pull" on the top surface of the barrel and cause it to bow just enough to cause it to string vertically. If you want to shoot for groups I would recommend that you take your time and make an effort to reduce the barrel heating up. Another way around this is to simply remove that forward rail and use a standard receiver mounted scope or use the iron sights.

Bottomline, in it's primary configuration the Ruger Gunsite is a Hunting Rifle that can exhibit great accuracy when the barrel is cold. If you want to use it as a Target Rifle you'll have to do a bit of tweaking and lose the convenience of the Scout configuration. First tweak is a lighter trigger break. Fortunately since is basically a Ruger model 77 trigger kits are easy to find. Second tweak would be to remove that forward rail.

Ammo. For factory ammo I've found that 168 grain loads tend to shoot a bit tighter than factory loads with lighter bullets, generally a bit under an inch at 50 yards. With my reloads my best accuracy has been using Lapua 155 grain Scenar bullets over 45.0 grains of IMR 4064. This load will routinely yield those dime sized 3 shot cloverleafs with a cold barrel. Note, this custom load is a moderate velocity load that clocks at nearly the same velocity as a 168 grain factory load. I could probably try loading hotter but suspect that I'd stray out of the accuracy node I've found and would also lose that "cushion" my moderate reloads provide for a variation in the charge weight. Second most accurate load for me has been the 150 grain Nosler Accubond over 43.5 grains of Accurate 2495, another moderate velocity load that should be darned near ideal for Michigan Deer or Black Bear. This particular load will yield 3 shot groups at 50 yards that can be covered by a nickel on one of my good days and a quarter on one of me average days.

I have a couple of good handgun scopes. Can they be used on the Scout rifle? They have long eye relief.

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Still Running Against the Wind

I mounted a Burris 3X scout scope with Leupold QD rings in the forward position on my Ruger Scout. The heavy crosshairs and low power does not make it a target rifle but by gosh (both eyes open) it is fast! The QD rings allow fast scope removal should the situation calls for it or the scope fails. The nylon Ruger mags allow for through the top loading with single rounds to top off the mag, another good reason for a scope forward mount.

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Stay safe people!

Measure the eye relief and then check the position on the rifle.
Should give you a pretty good answer. Pistol scopes are designed to take a beating, so that shouldn't be a problem.

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Regards, Ron
USASA 1965/69

Scout scopes need an eye relief of right about ten inches, depending on the gun. I don't have any Scouted bolt actions, but I have a bunch of Marlins wearing Scout Scopes, and I absolutely LOVE them. Just as fast as iron sights for snap-shooting in the deer woods or chasing cans around on a 50-yard backstop, I'm amazed at how easy it is to make hits at moderate distances with them. While leverguns are a bit of a different system, if you can keep the gun shouldered while chambering a round, you can deliver rounds downrange VERY quickly.

Way back when the Scout thing was just getting started I made one on a Winchester Model 70 (short-action) and used the Burris scope. (That's all that was available at that time.)

I did not find it hard to get used to, but neither did I find it all the things Jeff Cooper claimed for it. I could handle a rifle just as fast with a receiver-mounted 2x telescope, and for short-range shooting, I much prefer a ghost ring and a BIG front blade, preferably with a red insert. (Same as Cooper used on "Baby".)

One thing the forward-mount does do is make the rifle a joy to carry, compared to a similar rifle with receiver-mounted telescope. But, discounting that, I didn't see the other advantages. I may be in the minority on this because of weak vision in my non-shooting eye.

Good luck with the Ruger. Let us know how you get along with it. I was just looking at one Saturday...

I have a 2x power Burris handgun scope that I took off a Ruger 44 Mag.

Looking at the specs from Burris, the handgun scope has a 10-24 eye relief.

Their 2.75 Scout has a 8.5-14 "eye relief

The 2-7x 32 Scout has a 11-21 relief which is also the same as the Scout 2-7x32 relief.

The handgun even has a larger field of view at 100yards.

So unless I am missing something, it seems I can use my handgun scope??

I held it out about as far as it would be on a rifle and I can see fine. Not a real big image but it is only 2x.

I would prefer the 2-7 x 32 scope just for the extra magnification, but it would cost me. Plus it weighs almost twice the smaller one.

Scout Scopes - rifle scopes, handgun scopes, hunting scopes by Burris Optics

Handgun Scopes - rifle scopes, handgun scopes, hunting scopes by Burris Optics

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Still Running Against the Wind

To my mind this a really cool setup. The scope is an older Japanese Tasco with a two power lighted reticle. The red lit reticle would be great in heavy cover woods but would probably spook any game at dusk or later.

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Regards, Ron
USASA 1965/69

I favor fixed power scopes in scout rifle configuration. The two I have will deliver 1.5' groups at 100 yards which is plenty for any use except bench rest competition.

Variable power scopes are large, heavy and expensive in comparison to their fixed power brothers.

In practice, I've never heard of a hunter dialing in a multiple power scope with the target in the glass. Most folks never adjust the power on the thing and just leave it alone, in the field.

Only in the movies does the shooter fiddle with the sights while on target.

Save the money, the extra weight and size: buy the fixed power and spend the extra money on ammo

Yes, the variable is much heavier. I need to get the rifle out of lay away and see if the 2x handgun scope will work.

I am thinking/hoping it should.

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Still Running Against the Wind