Scout scope setup?

[xxclaro]

I know they look odd, but I really want to try a scout scope on my BB94 375. It's given me fits with the peep sights, and I can't mount a regular scope as its a top eject. Has anyone tried this? Who is currently making a scout setup for these guns, and how do they attach?

[Dave]

I love my scouted Marlin. Here is a link to XS. They make the mount most people use. Brownells sells them I know.
http://www.xssights.com/store/scope.html

[Tycer]

I don't know about scout scope mounts, but Weaver has side mount for it. Model 3C.

[handirifle]

The Weaver 3C (I have one) is OK if you are right handed, and realize the zero is not just intersecting on an up and down angle, but also right to left. The scope does not sit over the bore, so in close, it will hit to the left, and out past the zero point, it will hit to the right of aim. In addition, you'll have to compensate for elevation changes as the ranges change.

The XS system, states on their web site it is a PERMANANT attachment. The receiver has to be drilled and tapped, and the front sight removed, and the XS system permanantly attached to the barrel with JB weld. Otherwise, it will shoot loose, that was a big complaint they had from hard recoiling rifles.

The idea I have, but have never acted on, is to use the Weaver mount, on the side, and make a bracket that will allow a standard weaver base to mount to it, and holes drilled and tapped into the front of the receiver, and the front sight dovetail.

This would all be removable, except the holes in the receiver.

[Pete44ru]

[Who is currently making a scout setup for these guns, and how do they attach?]

The XS LeverScout mount uses the rear sight dovetail (as long as it's about 4" from the front of the receiver) to anchor it's forward end, and needs two 6-48 holes D/T'd atop the front receiver ring inline with the bore to support the rear of the mount.

Don't believe everythimg you read - even in the XS instruction sheet, where it tells the end user to use the supplied epoxy between the mount and the barrel for a perfect fit/adhesion.

When I scouted a BB94, it was a new Model 94 Timber in .450 Marlin - and I wasn't about to permanently attach the mount, incase I ever wanted to sell the gun (which I eventually did - another story).

So, what I did was to get the suggested perfect fit w/o the adhesion, by using the epoxy with a release agent on the gun (wax) and none on the mount base.

I shot/hunted that .450 BB94 for over a year, putting over 300 rounds through it w/o any issues at all with either the XS mount or losing zero.

ANOTHER consideration, however, might be something I once did with another .375 BB94 - I D/T'd the top of the rear end of the bolt for one of the two weaver scope bases that normally fit the Browning BAR, and used it at first to mount a very small assault rifle scope, and later a Tasco/Dr.Optic red dot relfex sight. Today, Burris/Leupold/Trijicon and others make a similar sight.
Both traveled with the bolt during cycling, and held zero.

.

[Tycer]

The scope does not sit over the bore, so in close, it will hit to the left, and out past the zero point, it will hit to the right of aim. In addition, you'll have to compensate for elevation changes as the ranges change.

True, but if you are zeroed at say 150 yds, at the muzzle it's less than an inch to the right of POA and at 300 yds less than an inch to the left. I have more trouble than that with wind.

[AJMD429]

The idea I have, but have never acted on, is to use the Weaver mount, on the side, and make a bracket that will allow a standard weaver base to mount to it, and holes drilled and tapped into the front of the receiver, and the front sight dovetail.

This would all be removable, except the holes in the receiver.

Is this anything like you're describing...?

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?p ... ber=492683

I don't have a photo, but I have a mount like this (QD side mount) for a Mini-14 that has a very long base extending well forward enough for a scout-positioned scope (it also has a side rail for a flashlight). Durned thing cost me maybe $75, and I'd really rather have one for the .45-70 levergun, since THAT'S the gun I'd more likely go outside at night with if something big wants to snack on our livestock.

[retmech]

The XS system, states on their web site it is a PERMANANT attachment. The receiver has to be drilled and tapped, and the front sight removed, and the XS system permanantly attached to the barrel with JB weld. Otherwise, it will shoot loose, that was a big complaint they had from hard recoiling rifles.

I glued a Weigand mount to my .44 mag Super Blackhawk with black silicone caulk( no screws) as a "Gee whiz" experiment a couple years ago. I mounted a cheap BSA red dot on it as a test and fired 50 rds of 250 gr cast SWC's at 1300 fps. There was no movement at all in the mount. I then put some leather between the jaws of my channel locks to keep from damaging the mount and was able to tear the mount loose and easily clean off the silicone with a brass brush with no damage to the blueing. If you degrease the metal real good silicone caulk is a great flexible adhesive that can withstand shock loads pretty well. It is something that I believe would work on a scout mount. You can get the black silicone at NAPA and some hardware stores. Just thought I'd mention it.

[handirifle]

OK I was stating what XS had on their web site. Good to see it's not necessary, since I'd like to use my BB94 as well, IF I can ever get my TSX bullets to work properly in it.

AJMD429
That mount is more to the side than my idea would be, at least it appears that way in the pic. My idea would mount on the side, but center the scope.

Tycer
Yea, I thought about mentioning that, but just wanted to make him aware of how it worked. My dad used the Weaver mount that I have with a red dot. He zeroed for 75yds and loved it. That leaves no marks on the gun and is great, if you are not a leftie like me.

retmech
Interesting idea.

[madman4570]

I put a Burris 4X scout on a synthetic H&R 45-70 SB2 (through H&R
the BASE & HAMMER EXT COMBO cost $19.95) (a deal)
Dont know if they have something like that for your BB94 but I love that little light gun for a light little woods fun gun.Super fast on target with those scout scopes too! Extended hammer works great!


Anyway from what I read for the .375 BB94 the Williams Foolproof (not 5D) is the only sight for the 94BB.It's the only model that is compatible with the "shoulders" on the BB94 receiver.
Is this the same as what the guys are calling the side mount?

[AJMD429]

AJMD429
That mount is more to the side than my idea would be, at least it appears that way in the pic. My idea would mount on the side, but center the scope..

Check out Williams SM-71 Quick Convertible Side Mount - using HCO Offset Rings, it appears to center the scope over the bore and directly over any existing peep sights. I only have a paper catalog showing the pics and guns fitted (a whole page of other "SM-'s" too), and don't have any handy internet pictures, but the offset rings that match the mount seem to be the key.

[Slick]

I just picked up a Marlin 1895 SBL with the extended rail. Unfortunately, most of the “EER” (Extended-Eye-Relief) scopes don’t sit out far enough to work like they do on a handgun…

It would seem that there is a new class of scopes called “IER” that is “Intermediate-Eye-Relief” to work better when mounted closer to your eye. Not many of these are out for sale as of yet.

On that note, I’ve actually defaulted into considering an Aimpoint ML3 comp on a LaRue tactical mount to fill the needs for my new .45-70 – but the negative is that I won’t have any BDC marks or other “quick” range-compensating options available. The up-side is that I have a much larger supply of “black-rifles” that I could use such a sighting arrangement with, but my true goal (as of late) has been to embrace historically older actions and firearms – since I simply love “guns” and not any particular type.

Anyways, if it didn’t fill-the-bill, I could always use it on one of my FAL’s or AR’s and try something else…

[Pete44ru]

[most of the “EER” (Extended-Eye-Relief) scopes don’t sit out far enough to work like they do on a handgun…]
[It would seem that there is a new class of scopes called “IER” that is “Intermediate-Eye-Relief” to work better when mounted closer to your eye. Not many of these are out for sale as of yet.]

Although I no longer have the T-Shirt, I do have a bit to offer to anyone contemplating scout-scoping a rifle.

When doing so with my Marlin 1894P, I went through
(read: bought/tried/shot/sold) Leupold & Burris IER scout scopes, and a 2-7x28 pistol scope, before settling on a 2x28 pistol scope.

The reason is YMMV regarding your personal ergonomics, AND the rifle which you're trying to scout scope.
Different rifle's receiver's will vary in size enough to make a real difference in scope choice, due to the distance they must mount the scope in a scout position from the shooter's eye.

To that difference, add the difference in each scope's optical eye relief quality (even different scopes from the same maker) - and some scopes are simply unworkable, no matter that another person/rifle may find it perfect.

Instead of a set "eye relief" of say 3.75", each EER (pistol) scope has an eye relief "window" within which a full/clear sight picture may be had.
Any attempt to sight through the scope, outside the eye relief "window" will result in a partial or no sight picture.
If a buyer checks each scope maker's tech specs for the prospective scope purchase, it may be noted that some "windows" are 9"-17", while others are 11"-21", etc, etc, etc.

A measurement from the shooter's eye, to where the objective lens of a scope would fall on their particular rifle/mount combination should give a hint at which scope should be considered.

It turned out that, for my ergonomics/shooting stance/my rifle/my mount, I need about 10" of eye relief for a full sight picture.

I didn't know that, before buying/trying/discarding three previous scopes that simply weren't easy to use.

The scope I ended up with happened to be a 2x pistol scope, that handles/sights exactly like a good ghost ring peep sight.
YMMV, as above.

.

[foxtrapper]

Pete what load did you settle on for your 1894P? I am shooting Beartooth 250gr WFNGC sized .432 in mine. Beginning of September my daughter and I are going to try it on a couple of hogs!

[Pete44ru]

I haven't handloaded for it, yet.

I've just started into the last several hundred rounds of some factory 240gr JSP's (MagTech's IIRC) - of which I bought in bulk (3,000 rounds/60 boxes @ $12.50), back when I had a contact in the wholesale business.
I figured it was enough to last me a lifetime of hunting - and, so far, I'm still alive.

.

[rimrock]

So far, I'm satisfied with my Simmons 4 X 32 handgun scope mounted as far forward as possible on my Marlin using the XS lever scout mount. For about $30 more, I could have bought the same scope with the Weaver name on it which probably would have had a little better light gathering ability.