Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Scout Scope options for lever gun

Am I correct in seeing that Leupold HAD a 1.5-5X in a 30mm tube.....is not made produced any longer? I would really REALLY prefer a scout scope option with illumination/Fire Dot ability. Not a Vortex fan so much. Is there anything else out there?

I have a Burris 2.5x I've used off and on. More off than on, but it does allow more precise bullet placement. But I fall back on red dot's on scout position with XS sights. Same setup on my 45/70, 44, and 357.

I run a VXR Scout one of mine. Its my primary hunter. Its a pig though, comparatively speaking. Prior to that I used the VXII Scout, if illumination wasnt paramount to me, the VXII Scout is the ticket.

Ive also used the FXII, no real qualms, just preferred adjutable magnification for my hunting.

Agree, my 1894 if equipped optically, all use a red dot.

The VX-R is discontinued, but search hard enough & one might be found.

Two Burris, one Vortex, & a couple newer Leupolds is about it. No glowing reticals though.

Well, there is a Leapers or 2. It has a light.

Leupold does make a 30mm 1-5x24mm, it is a VX-5HD and it is available with an illuminated reticle.

https://www.leupold.com/scopes/compact-scopes/vx-5hd-1-5x24mm-cds-zl2

It's not an Extended Eye Relief.....

The LER is a big deal here. I can put either an LER or a conventional on my scouts. But my 1895 has a scout mount or can take a red dot. The RMR works nicely. But check out Scoutrifle.org if you want to see lots of discussion on alternatives to the Burris and Leupold Scout optics. Be Well, Rustyzipper.

No, it's not-- I wasn't sure based on your post if that was an either/or proposition.

Sightmark has a LER with an illuminated crosshairs.

Skinner sights, optics kill the lever action secret sauce

A compact optic mounted in the traditional manner has worked better for me than any scout type scope ever has.

An old school, American made fixed 4x Compact Burris makes for a fantastic lever gun scope.

I have 4x compact Burris scopes on both my 16" 30-30 and .44 magnums and they are perfect.



Three rounds of 170 grain Federals at 150 yards as shown below, which I would not have been able to do with the peep sights that were on it before.

Sightmark may be the worst optics company, ever.

You should stick with Sagebrush. Something you seem to know a lot about MacKay. Be Well, Rustyzipper.

Just happened to see a LER scope of theirs for sale, never owned one.

I'm in the camp that finds a small, low powered scope mounted conventionally works far better than a dot, irons, or scout scope. I like a 1-4X20 over a fixed 4X, but as long as it is small and light won't argue. I prefer to just use irons on most of my levers, but those are mainly used at the range.

If you're serious about hunting a scope does everything better. The biggest asset is low light use. I can shoot well enough to hit big game out to 200 yards with irons if the light is good. But 25 minutes before sun up irons are useless in the heavy canopy forests where I hunt. I can see well enough to get off a legal shot with optics.