Scout Scope AR?

[Ironballs]

I have a 20" DPMS with free float alum. tube, and think it would be cool to drill/tap a rail into the top of the tube, for a scout scope setup... any thoughts,...

I figure its way cheaper than getting a 250-300 new free float tube? any suggestions as to what rail i should use (part numbers/links?)


I already have a leupold fx2 scout scope that is sitting and ready for her:

[maxicon]

The easiest bet be a rail extension mounted on the flat-top. A few people make them long enough for a scout rail - there's the ARMS #36 SEX and #38SEX:

http://www.armsmounts.com/catalog.php?action=124&item_id=31

http://www.armsmounts.com/catalog.php?action=124&item_id=37

The forward part of the rail isn't Picatinny spec, as the slots appear to be double spaced (probably to reduce flex), but that shouldn't be an issue.

YHM also makes an extended rail riser, but it looks like it's made to mount to a railed forearm to provide a monolithic riser:

http://www.yankeehillmachine.com/store/rails.html

I'm not sure of any name-brands that make a drill'n'tap mount for a free-float non-railed forearm. I have a long rail from the gun show that would work on a solid forearm, and you can find ones like that on ebay. They're not expensive or heavy-duty, but if you mount it on a strong handguard, it should be solid.

http://cgi.ebay.com/11-HAND-GUARD-WEAVER-PICATINNY-RAIL-MOUNT-UNIVERSAL_W0QQitemZ330119435077QQihZ014QQcategoryZ52511QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

The main problem would be they don't add much height, so you'd either need high/extra high rings or a riser.

Here's an interesting piece, from Evolution Gun Works - it's a 16" long, .650" tall rail in the white, which you'd have to drill and finish, if you swing that way, but it would give both height and length:

http://egw-guns.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=39&products_id=203

[tiger222]

Ib

I like the concept of a scout scope - but your rifle looks to be too heavy to really take advantage of it??? not to put you off of doing it....

and +1 on everything max said

[Ironballs]

Max, thanks for all the help. So much yen... i am leaning towards the drill/tap method (by far the cheapest), but i think i will pick up one of these to play with:

http://yankeehill.bizland.com/store/product260.html

maybe on the gasblock, maybe on the upper rail?

[gn3hz3ku1*]

if you do it on the gasblock wouldnt it defeat the purpose of being free float?

[Ironballs]

if you do it on the gasblock wouldnt it defeat the purpose of being free float?

the weight of the scope will 'load' the bbl, and maybe change harmonics? but my grip on the fft wont affect the bbl... don't know for sure..

anyhow, i found an extra rail ($10 rail i had planned to stick on my remmy 870, but ended up with a bushnell that has its own mount, so the new in box look decent enough).

Garage Tap, thread, 20 minutes,... specs out straight, but only the range can verify imo...




Believe it or not, super low, but it does line up. The ACE stock really allows me to get a low cheek weld. I do need to pinch the cheek a bit... but this is with QRW low rings... If i get some medium or high, it should be perfect...

about the weight... the bbl is so hefty you are really unaware of the added glass weight... and she is way fast, and so so clear. If i like this setup, than the rail extension may be the next mod on another AR for similar fast but lighter setup...

[maxicon]

That looks perfect, and should be sturdier than the YHM rail extension if you've got a good bite on the mounting screws.

I'd worry that the YHM extension would be too far forward on the gas block and not far enough forward on the flat-top. You could mount it backwards on the gas block, but looking closer, it might not fit - it's mounts span 4 slots, and it looks like your gas block may only have 3 slots.

A riser would be good to get more height, but since your rail's not full Picatinny spec, you'd want to make sure the cross-slot screws (and recoil lugs, if any) would line up with the slots in your rail. It would also add more weight and another connection point.

I'm thinking a good pair of high rings would be the path of least resistance, and would look cleanest too.

My gun show rail is just a 12" strip of Picatinny slots, and would be just right for something like this. I'm building it into a scope testing platform right now, but I'm thinking I'll pick up another one and mount it like this on my varminter for more scope flexibility.

Keep us posted on how it works out!

[gn3hz3ku1*]

excuse my ignorance.. but what is so good about having it on the front of the gun?

[proraptor]

Im also quite lost here....why would you want to mount a scope on the free float tube? Not only does it look stupid but what about eye relief?

[Ironballs]

Im also quite lost here....why would you want to mount a scope on the free float tube? Not only does it look stupid but what about eye relief?

The answer is in bold... eye relief

Standard magnified scopes are much much slower to acquire a target with, than say a Red dot (no magnification) or Scout Scope setup. The forward mount and EER (extended eye relief scope) makes for a lightning fast target acquisition.

Read about it all you want... and if you get the chance to shoulder, you will know the difference. I have a bunch of rifles, various setups, but nothing functions like a well setup scout style rifle (my personal favorite is the Steyr Scout)... this DPMS setup is already way way way faster to find my target with than any AR magnified scope setup i have played with before...


edit: I bet next to a similar AR with a standard magnified scope (4x, 8x, whatever), that with this setup i can hit my man sized target significantly faster than a standard scope... thats the advantage...
the disadvantage is more forward weight, and less total magnification, and no real range adjusting setup (mil dot, set trajectory lines like acog, etc.)

[maxicon]

Here's a good overview of the Scout Rifle concept, as originally defined by Col. Cooper.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scout_rifle

It's also one of the only options for magnified optics on an A2 style AR where you can maintain good cheek weld, as carry handle mounts tend to put the scope way too high for fast, comfortable shooting.

[Ironballs]

I guess by definition, I am heavier and smaller caliber for a traditional scout... but oh boy is she fast inside her usable range.. I bet you i could take clays (or feathers) with her with just a touch of practice...