Posted: 3/22/2008 4:47:14 AM EDT
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I posted about this in the Optics section. I'm a newbie and didn't even realize this specific RRA section was here. Anyhow, I ordered a Varmint EOP about three weeks ago and now I am wondering if I should have gone with the flat top instead. Been reading allot about eye relief issues with mounting larger varmint type scopes. I did e-mail RRA and got a reply back from BJ with a couple pics of the flat top with a scout rail and scope mounted. Any of you have the EOP and could provide pics with scopes mounted. Mine is a Nikon Monarch 5-20x44 or a Sightron SIII 6-24x50. Seems like there are many more options available for scope mounting on flat tops for positioning the scope forward without getting it to high. Maybe the scout rail and proper height rings on a flat top would be better?? Help out guys, loosin sleep over this one! |
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http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd126/pals96jl/044-1.jpg Nikon 6-18x40, I really like the idea of the EOP, and with the right scope they are great. This older nikon has a short eye relief and works well on my EOP. The newer scopes with longer eye relief would cause you problems. If your scope has a 3"-3.5" eye releif, you will wish you had a flat-top with the scout rail. |
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Thanks jlpals! The first thing I noticed when I pulled the Monarch out of the box was that it seemed to have a longer eye relief than my Sightron or Bushnell 4200's. It is the newer side focus version. Looks like yours could mount farther forward but would need higher rings so the eyepeice would clear the rail and I think the eyepiece on the newer Monarchs are even a bit bigger so that would probably get the scope too high. I think I agree that the scout rail and correct height rings would offer me more flexibility, especially if I ever decide I want to swap scopes to try from one of my other rifles. Thanks again, TB Just looked up the specs on SWFA and Nikon claims a constant 4" eye relief throughout the power range. |
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It all depends on the optic you're going to mount. Long bodied optics often run out of room on the receiver for the forward ring (to mount it forward of the scope's adjustment turret). In that case, a scout rail on an A4 gives you elevation and extended mounting are further out over the handguard. The EOP doesn't readily allow for that option. Steve/RRA |
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I was concerned about this RRA response "The EOP doesn't readily allow for that option". I have a new 18" EOP with a Leupold Mark II tactical. It's pushed as far forward as I dare to put it (Rings are on the most forward position and CLOSE to the turrets). I can barely shoot this combo from the bench and it borders on impossible from the prone position. Are there options to put the glass further out? Butt stock extensions? On a side note this rifle is a tack driver shooting HSM 55 gr. to well under 1 MOA - closer to .5 inches at 100. |
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Lengthening the buttstock (as long as it's still comfortable for you to shoot) would be the most expedient way to increase the available eye relief, which would then let you move the optic back, giving you a little more room on the receiver for the forward ring. Steve/RRA |
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It's a standard 1:8 18 incher. It's pretty new (< a month old) All I've shot out of it so far is Hunter shack 55 grainers (PSP) and Black Hills Blue Box. She's only got 100 rounds or so through the barrel. Tomorrow is looking good for a range trip for another 300 rounds or so. It's supposed to be sunny and 55 tomorrow!! My birthday was yesterday and I got tons of ammo (well alot for me but not compared to the ammo "whores" from this site). Got 300 rounds of 45 acp for my Kimber and 150 rounds of 44 mag for my S&W. Everyone else got me .223 or 5.56 stuff. I may be deaf tomorrow night..... PS - You WILL love the RRA. It's my first AR platform and it's great! |
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Here is a link to an extension I found in Sinclairs catalog. not sure if it would fit on the RRA varmint so maybe Steve could confirm. May do the trick. http://www.sinclairintl.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?category=search&item=14-5185&type=store Doesn't look like the link works on my end. Just go to Sinclairs site and type in "AR-15 stock" in the search box. It was on page 8 of my search. TB |
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I woke up at o-dark-thirty this morning after apparently thinking about this is my sleep. A single piece, cantilevered mount like the Larue SPR-M4 or SPR-E (or even the SPR-S)might work for this exact situation, as long as it allowed an acceptable cheekweld (which is a personal fit issue that's going to be different from shooter to shooter). They're quick on/off, and would mount solidly to the EOP and allow shifting the optic forward without changing the stock's LOP. From their design, they would mount more securely and with less flex than either individual rings or a set of rings on an extended mounting rail... I should have thought of that as an option sooner...but since we don't carry the Larues, it was safely out of sight and out of mind. Anyone got an opinion on that as being a viable option? Steve/RRA |
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OK. Had a great range trip today. (Actually two - the second to an indoor pistol range for the 44 mag and the 45 acp... but thats another story). Shot about 350 rounds through the RRA 18" EOP. Foremost, the optics seemed much better this time - and by better I mean I didnt have to struggle to get full FOV in the lens and shoulder mounting/cheeck weld seemed much better than last time I shot. And I was wearing a lighter coat this time too - go figure. Like I said this is my first AR platform and I am more concerned about accuracy (read woodchuck/praire dog/gopher destroyer) than I am about tactical/carbine styles. I cant believe the negligible recoil of these things. I would swear I was shooting a BB gun if it werent for the "bang" and the low "ku-chung" of the spring in my ear muffs. This too, I think, helps with the optics alignment because there's no punishing recoil or "crescent shaped" cuts on the eyebrows to worry about (I've shot my share of 7mm mags, -06's and 300 Win mags and speak from experience). She is finicky about ammo though. Didn't like the 75 grain stuff (Hunter shack hollow point boat tail match) but works GREAT with the 55 Grain PSP - again Hunter shack. This is 223 Remington ammo. The WORST groups came whan I shot Winchester white box 5.56 nato stuff. My sub 1" groups at 100 yards opened up to 2.25". Another go figure. I havn't tried all the ss109 or the X31...(NATO stuff) whatever theyre called so I'm not ready to throw in the towel on the 5.56 stuff yet but I guess finding the right ammo/working up a good reload is half the fun. Lastly, I want to apologize for the long post and thank Steve from RRA for checking back on these forums and answering my questions. Your concern (both personally and professionally/company wise) over a newbie like me does not go unnoticed and is greatly appreciated. You guys make a fantastic product. Now lets see if I can talk the wife into an LAR-8.... Redards - Zoom |