M1A Scout Optics options?

[thefifthspeed]

Recently aquired an M1A scout off of a member here and would like to know some routes I can go with it. I plan to shoot 50-200yards and I'm thinking in the realm of Eotech and Aimpoint or something red dot. I like the having a large FOV for 50 yards situations.
Now my questions are: Is the rail on the scout the same size as the rails on an AR-15? I see a ton of optics for AR-15s and wonder if I needed to would it be possible to swap in between both of them if I needed to. I understand the differences of the optics and the bullets but I'm just curious about this. Also I have heard that having the mount above the barrel like the scout is setup can cause heat problems and damage the mounted optics, is this true? Finally since I'm new to red dot, would it make more sense for me to buy a generic sight instead of an aimpoint or eotech? What less expensive options are out there? I'm trying to keep below $500.

Thanks

[aplinker]

Aimpoint, EOTech, Scout scope or get a scope mount...

As much as I love the EOTech it's not the best choice for the M1A. Its reticle height is too high for a comfortable cheek weld and requires a big pad to get up there. I'd suggest the Aimpoint - not to mention it looks like it belongs on an M1A.

Scout scopes give me tunnel vision...

You'll want a VERY low mount ring for the Aimpoint... none of the standard mounts will get you down as low as you'd like...

[Omega13device]

The scout rail is a Picatinny/1913 standard rail, just like on your AR.

As much as I love the EOTech it's not the best choice for the M1A. Its reticle height is too high for a comfortable cheek weld and requires a big pad to get up there.

+1

[brando]

I got mine about 8 years ago and here's how the optics evolved:

- Aimpoint CompML: 4MOA dot obscured target at 200m

- EOTech: awesome, but man it's a .308, I need a bit of magnification

- 2.5x Leup long-eye relief scope: just the trick

[thefifthspeed]

I got mine about 8 years ago and here's how the optics evolved:

- Aimpoint CompML: 4MOA dot obscured target at 200m

- EOTech: awesome, but man it's a .308, I need a bit of magnification

- 2.5x Leup long-eye relief scope: just the trick

Any problems with heat or is that BS? Also which model did you settle on with the Leupold. I assume your shooting intermediate distances with that setup?

[Prc329]

I used this setup to 400 yards and was happy with it. It was a lower 1/3 co-witness.

I have since went back to iron sights but I kinda miss that setup. It worked very well.

Clonepoint and an AIMpoint ring with ultimak scout rail. I tried to fry the clonepoint but to my surprise it works perfect to this day. I had it on there for about 500 round and the scout rail would get rather toasty.

[Prc329]

Any problems with heat or is that BS? Also which model did you settle on with the Leupold. I assume your shooting intermediate distances with that setup?

When I was researching scout mounts the heat related issues I read about were related to the small mount. That is why I went with the large mount.

[aplinker]

other than avoiding the need for a regular mount, I've never been sold on the scout mount with a scope... I can't get used to the way looking through a scout scope feels.

One option I've been using lately is a magnifier mounted on a KAC rail in the stripper clip guide and an Aimpoint.

[thefifthspeed]

Here's a site with background information on Jeff Cooper's Scout concept: http://pw1.netcom.com/~chingesh/scoutrifle.html

I guess this is why I've shot irons all this time, there is a lot to learn about optics. This article helps a lot, thanks.

[aplinker]

I guess this is why I've shot irons all this time, there is a lot to learn about optics. This article helps a lot, thanks.

+1

I might try it again just to see if I still hate it... interesting read.

[brando]

Any problems with heat or is that BS? Also which model did you settle on with the Leupold. I assume your shooting intermediate distances with that setup?

Heat, no - not rapid fire shooting, just plinking. It's a stretch to 500 yards, but 100-400 it works quite well.

[maxicon]

I've had pretty good luck with scoped handguns and LER scopes on a Mini 14 scout rail at 2x. Much more than that, and my brain has a harder time with the different magnifications, but 2x does well.

I've got a couple of 2x Leupold M8s (actually 1.7x) and a Burris 1.5-4x EER.