red dot on a scout rifle

[WWDHD?]

I have a Ruger GSR in .223. Right now it has a Vortex extended eye relief Crossfire scope. It works fine but I don't like how bulky and un-balanced it looks and feels and I was thinking of giving up the magnification and try a red dot.
My question is how do people like using a RD so far forward on a scout type rifle. I know I can extend the rail and mount an optic closer to my eyes - and I may try that at some point but for now I'll mount it forward on the rail it has.
I'm looking at the Primary Arms SLX MD-25 since it's a little bit bigger than some other ones I've seen at 25mm objective but still compact in size and weight. Any other ones I should shop?

[Starslinger]

I had a Sig Romeo 5 red dot forward mounted on an SKS. It worked perfectly.

[Brandqn]

Funny, I just posted a wtb for an MD-20 for similar purpose. Interested in the replies

[1859sharps]

I have a Ruger GSR in .223. Right now it has a Vortex extended eye relief Crossfire scope. It works fine but I don't like how bulky and un-balanced it looks and feels and I was thinking of giving up the magnification and try a red dot.
My question is how do people like using a RD so far forward on a scout type rifle. I know I can extend the rail and mount an optic closer to my eyes - and I may try that at some point but for now I'll mount it forward on the rail it has.
I'm looking at the Primary Arms SLX MD-25 since it's a little bit bigger than some other ones I've seen at 25mm objective but still compact in size and weight. Any other ones I should shop?

If the scope is throwing off the balance, I strongly encourage you to explore something else.

As for Red Dot scopes. I have often wondered how well they would work on a scout rifle. Never got around to trying it. However, do NOT feel you MUST mount if in the same place as a traditional scout scope otherwise you become "un scouty" or some other silliness.

Mount it as is correct for a Red Dot.

There are very good reasons for the forward mounting of a scope, WHEN using a properly built extended eye relief scope. But those do not exist when working with a 1X red dot. you should get the same benefits of the forward mounted scout scope when mounting a 1x red dot as it is designed to be mounted.

There are two disadvantages I can think of for using a red dot.
1. battery dies, no sighting system.
2. not as precise of a aiming system as a cross hair.

The level or lack of precision is a bit subjective depending on what you do with this rifle and may not actually be an issue for your use. Scout rifles are not sniper rifles nor "precision" rifles, though well built examples are more accurate than most people have the skill to shoot. So to a point lack of precision in an RD aiming system may not be an issue. In terms of lacking..I am referring to the difference between something designed for real shooting from the field, vs making small groups from the bench with ideal conditions.

Another option to consider is using a LPVO that has true 1x on the low end and a reticle that is there regardless of a working battery or not. Many LPVOs include a illuminated reticle resulting in the something approaching the best of both worlds.

LPVOs are mounted more traditionally, so you do start loosing that ability to keep both eyes open and being able to sight in on your target. so a reduction in situational awareness is a down side here. But there are upsides too.

A best of "all" worlds option is the Leupold VX-R Scout 1.5-5X scope. It brings to the table a red dot, LPVO like magnification, and extended eye relief for situational awareness. It does have 1 very serious flaw that is going to be hard to overcome...it was discontinued. BUT if you can find one for a fair price, in good condition on the used market, it's worth a consideration.

[WWDHD?]

I had a Sig Romeo 5 red dot forward mounted on an SKS. It worked perfectly.

I have the same RD on another rifle where I can mount it within a few inches from my eye and it works well for that but when I mount it on the forward rail on the GSR and it's 8" or more away- it's 20mm size makes the field of view kinda small.
I'm considering the MD-25 with it's marginally larger size to solve this or maybe something even bigger like a 30mm.
The MD-25 also comes with a very low mount that I think would work better on a rifle like this. Everything else looks like I'd have to hunt around for a low mount.

[FeuerFrei]

Balanced looks? K.

C-More systems rds fills the bill for beaucoup eye relief and it weighs nothing. Swappable dot sizes and a long batt life. Mounts on a pic rail. Low profile and minimal goose necking.

Mine is years old and has done service on many long guns without a hitch.

https://cmore.com/index.php?app=ecom&ns=prodshow&ref=RW&sid=z70r757k7yjw0y7nf031x5p3cc7i6gu5

[WWDHD?]

Balanced looks? K.

C-More systems rds fills the bill for beaucoup eye relief and it weighs nothing. Swappable dot sizes and a long batt life. Mounts on a pic rail. Low profile and minimal goose necking.

Mine is years old and has done service on many long guns without a hitch.
https://cmore.com/index.php?app=ecom...31x5p3cc7i6gu5

Looks are not THAT high on the list of reasons to make a change- but it is on the list.
I'll look for the C-More RDS. Thanks!

[WWDHD?]

Looks to me like the reflex types sit higher even before the mount is installed- which is fine for an AR rifle but it seems to me the tube RDs can sit lower and closer to the barrel with a low mount. Does that seem correct?

[stormvet]

I currently have a 2x7 scout scope on my M1 scout, but will try with a red dot at some point.

[sigstroker]

If your "scout" rifle is really meant for walking the wilds, you don't want an open reflex. Dirt, water, whatever, will disable it.

[Imageview]

I have a forward mounted red dot and a scope for my 22. I shoot slightly better with the scope, but not that much better. My eyes are mostly the limit, time for a new prescription.

[tanks]

As you can see in the pic the forward mounted red dot does not effect performance. It is very easy do see, aim, and shoot.

[sigstroker]

Do they let you bring back the tail?

[Elgatodeacero]

I think you give up a lot of utility by eliminating the scout scope and using a red dot.

A red dot is fast, but a standard Leupold 2.5 forward mount scout scope is pretty fast.

[Yute]

I used a Trijicon RMR on a Laurue Mount for a while. After about 200 rounds the RMR would shut off; I suspect due to the heat transfer from the barrel.