Ruger GSR with a red dot

[WWDHD?]

I heard from a friend that an acquaintance has a lightly used EOTech 512 holographic red dot for sale cheap. From what I've read about these things eye relief is not an issue so I could mount it right after the action on my Ruger GSR. Also the 1 moa dot size should be good for long distance. I know there's no magnification. It just looks like it would be better balanced and less bulky than a scout scope. Maybe it's to tall for a bolt action - IDK.
Is this worth looking into further or are they really just meant for AR's?

[elSquid]

No reason to not put an EOTech on a scout rifle, if it works for you. ( I've never done it myself. I've only had one on an AR. )

OTOH, fixed power scout scopes aren't particularly heavy or bulky IMO.

https://www.leupold.com/scopes/rifle-scopes/fx-ii-scout-ier-2-5x28mm

https://www.burrisoptics.com/scopes/scout-riflescopes-series/scout-riflescope-2.75x20mm

An Aimpoint T1 ( or clone ) is hard to beat if size/weight is an issue. And a CR2032 battery is a lot lighter than two AA's...

-- Michael

[papaboomboom]

I havae a mossberg predator in 223 I put a sig red dot on, Love it! Accurate and fast, not for moa at 100 yds but try a silhouette target of an antifa and rearrange his teeth. Lol

[geekeye]

saw a guy at the range this weekend with a ruger pcc with synthetic stock and a red dot, and it was working for him with a low mount. near as i can tell the rise from comb to the pic rail is about the same on the pcc and gsr, so as long as you aren't using a cowitness mount you should be fine.

[WWDHD?]

I'm looking at pics at the 512 and it looks like it sits to high for anything but an AR. Too bad. I like the 1 moa it has- most other RD I see are 3 or more.

[tomrkba]

EOTechs are great if you have a case of replacements. Put a more durable optic on the gun.

[1859sharps]

Some thoughts on "scout scopes"

I had been thinking of going the red dot route my self. But I am moving away from that path. All though..for what it is worth, in my personal opinion the only red dots that seem to make sense weight and mounting wise are the Aimpoint T1/H1/T2/H2.

The reasons I am moving away from red dot is cost and we actually have some other options that might actually fight better with the general purpose rifle concept. in addition, I need to be able to adjust focus on my scopes due to my eyes.

The best option I have found is VX•R 1.5-5x33mm Scout. It is hands down the best scout scope ever built to date. Not perfect, it has it's draw backs, weight being one of them. At 14.2 oz it is a heavy scope. it was also the most expensive of the purpose designed scout scopes. And it has unfortunately been discontinued. You are likely limited to the second hand market at this point.

It gives us forward mounting, red dot, up to 5x magnification, good low light gathering, and ability to adjust focus.

https://www.leupold.com/scopes/compact-scopes/vx-r-1-5-5x33mm-scout

Another option is the VX-Freedom Scout 1.5-4x28. It is only a touch heavier than the "traditional" Leupold fixed 2.5 power scout scope FX-II Scout IER 2.5x28mm.

The VX-Freedom Scout 1.5-4x28 is still currently available. gives you the ability to adjust focus (something critical for me), is light weight, up to 4x magnification, and still mounts forward on the rifle (not as far forward as the FX-II) allowing for both eyes to stay open while watching down range. Which is the primary purpose of the forward mounted scope. NOT stripper clips. Cooper NEVER (that I have found) explained the forward mounting as to facilitate stripper clip use. it was primarily about keep both eyes open and being able to transition to the scope without loosing sight of the target. A second reason was balance for carry, and the final was to avoid getting "scope eye". basically scope hitting you in the eye on recoil.

A lot has changed in scope quality since Cooper was studying scopes for scout rifles, and the reason for his advocating for scopes such as the FX-II Scout IER 2.5x28mm was a couple reasons. First being scout rifles are not meant to be sniper rifles. so he saw no reason for massive amounts of magnification. He favored fixed primary because during his life scopes were far more likely to fail than they are today. the less moving parts the less to break. He even mentioned a antidote (going by memory here) of something like 1 in 10 scopes fail during his classes. He also advocated bring a spare scope on long hunting trips due to scope failure to stand up to extended time in the field. so with those kinds of experiences, it makes sense why he advocated what he did given what was available at the time.

The next area I am investigating is the Low power variable scope offerings. It is important to remember, while Cooper favored and pushed for the forward mounted scope, it is NOT THE defining feature of a scout rifle. maybe the most recognizable, but it is only one of many features/attributes that go into a scout. To be truly general purpose, scout rifles should be able to take a "conventionally" mounted scope as well. These class of scopes while mounted conventionally, when they have true or close to true 1x work very much like a red dot. I am seeing reports that when they actually include reticle illumination or even a "red dot" them self, they can out perform traditional red dots. They allow us to also gain anywhere from a max of 4, 6, or 8. power magnification. The 4 and 6 range scopes tend to be in my opinion the best options. they tend to be light, compact, and not cost prohibitive. So give these some thought too.

To get the most out of your scout rifle and scope, the scope should be light, not excessive in magnification, and allow you to have the rifle at the ready, be visually scanning down range, mount the rifle and find your target quickly and easily. not loose sight of it and have to hunt for it all over again in order to take your shot. Think "iron sights on steroids" vs a means to carry massive magnification in order to see a flea's *** at 1000 yards. That is what a purpose built long range rifle is for, not what a scout rifle/general purpose rifle is for.

[W.R.Buchanan]

Here;s a pic of my GSR with the Bushnell TRS 25 sight mounted on an XS Rail.

I am good to 300 yards with this setup. However since I have 4 other carbines set up the same way, I went back to a Scope mounted on this gun.

Still you can see how the red dot won't change the handling of that gun very much at all. And that is the point of doing it in the first place.

Randy