Thanks all...some interesting points.
I guess where I am coming from is that I played with the SS and I loved the glass setup more than anything else.
I don't see myself having any need to make a shot past, say, 300 yards max, and probably never past 200, so I don't want anything more than a 3 or 4 power scope. What I do want though, is a scope that grabs in light and aquires quickly.
Setting aside the "scout" concept so we don't get hung up on it, is there any reason NOT to get a forward mount and put a good clear, low power scope on the Rem700 Light Tactical for faster aquisition and wider field of view?
As it is, I am probably going to stick to lower power, high quality glass. So, if I am going to stick to low power glass, why not put a forward mounted scout scope on it and get the rest of the benefits from that style of scope?
That said, the Rem 700 Light-Tac, other than being a pound or so overweight fits a lot of the specs for a 'scout' rifle: Detachable mag, carbine length, dual sling mounts for bipod and...(are there any other qualifications?).
It will come out a bit heavy if I put a Harris bipod on it (which I don't plan to), but only ounces heavier than many other rifles that claim to be "scout rifles".
Let's just say I am trying to build a relatively light, very accurate, short to medium range, fast aquisition hunting/counter-sniper rifle.
So, back to the question. Are there any reasons NOT to forward mount the scope, scout-style? I can only think of the many reasons that this would be beneficial. But, there is no free lunch, so someone please tell me why I would be sorry if I went this route, and what are the drawbacks of a forward mounted scout scope?
I apologize that I am having trouble getting my question across. I think we got hung up on semantics and technicalities because I did not ask a direct enough question. My question boils down to just the bonuses and drawbacks of using a forward mounted scope for medium range.
thanks,
thaddeus
[This message has been edited by thaddeus (edited April 19, 1999).]