Leapers UTG 2-7X44 30mm Long Eye Relief Scout Scope, AO, 36-color Ruger Gunsite Scout Optic Update

Ruger Gunsite Scout with AIM 2-7x32mm LER Scope

Since I first provided reviews on the Ruger Gunsite Scout Rifle (see my reviews @ @ https://guntoters.com/blog/2014/11/15/scouting-around-part-i/ and https://guntoters.com/blog/2016/08/15/scouting-around-part-ii/) the rifle has been shot on several occasions. With the AIM 2-7x32mm LER optic mounted, I found myself wanting a little larger field of view as the eyes get older, but I also felt that the magnification was adequate given the intended purpose of the ‘Scout’ rifle.

Out of the somewhat limited selection of ‘Scout’ scopes, I did my usual research and narrowed it down to the Leapers UTG 2-7X44 30mm Long Eye Relief Scout Scope, AO, 36-color. The scope, simply put, has some nice features that, I felt, were worth investigating.

Leapers UTG 2-7x44mm LER Scope

Looking at the specifications, we find the following:

• 30mm 1 Piece Tube for Maximum Light Transmission.
• Built on True Strength Platform, Completely Sealed and Nitrogen Filled, Shockproof, Fogproof and Rainproof.
• Provides Amazing, True and Consistent Extended Eye Relief for Shooters to Effectively Use on Any Firearm Where the Optics Cannot be Mounted Directly Above the Action.
• Innovative EZ-TAP Illumination Enhancing (IE) System with RGB in Dual-Color Mode and 36 Colors in Multi-Color Mode to Accommodate All Weather/Light Conditions (U.S. Pat. 8,437,079; EU Patent Pending).
• 1-Click High-tech Illumination Memory Feature Gets You Right Back to the Color/Brightness Setting Last Used.
• Premium Zero Locking and Zero Resetting Target Turrets with Most Consistent and Precise 1/4 MOA per Click Windage/Elevation Adjustment.
• Emerald Coated Lenses to Achieve Maximum Light Transmission for Best Clarity
• Unique 6 Mil-dot Tactical Range Estimating(TRE) Etched Glass Reticle for the Ultimate Performance.
• Side Wheel Adjustable Turret (SWAT) for Parallax Adjustment from “True 10 Yards” Up, and Ready to Accept Optional Big Wheel to Achieve Finer Parallax Adjustment
• Practical TactEdge Angled Integral Sunshade.
• Complete with Twist Lock Medium Profile Picatinny/Weaver Rings and High Quality Flip-open Lens Caps.

Ruger Gunsite Scout with UTG 2-7x44mm LER Scope Mounted.

First of all, I have really come to appreciate turrets that can be adjusted quickly without the use of tools; the UTG has them.  Secondly, I really like the AO (Adjustable Objective) that allows quick focusing at varying distances.  Most of my shooting takes place at an indoor range and I find, in some instances, that scopes will not focus when operated at short distances when the focal length dictates operation at medium and beyond distances. I have found this on even some expensive scopes that now sit on my shelf because of it. In addition to the side-adjustable AO (what UG calls a SWAT AO), the eyepiece diopter provides additional focusing capabilities.

I also like the fact that the adjustable turrets are lockable and can be set to my zero distance. If I need to zero at a different distance, I can (using ballistic software) re-adjust the scope for that zero, but quickly return to my original zero. The turret detents are positive and can be turned by the fingers. No tools needed, yeah!

The illuminated reticle is a nice touch. I appreciate it when sighting in on a dark target where the cross-hairs disappear. A push of a button or two on the EZ-Tap housing buttons gets me to the desired brightness and color. There are five levels of brightness for each red and green color. Press the R button for red and the left button for green to turn the color on. Then, press again, as necessary to adjust the color level or turn the color off. By default, the color is at the highest level when first selected.  The Colors and brightness are controlled electronically. With thirty-six colors to play with, even Martha Stewart would be pleased.  Once you get the desired color selected, a memory features allows you to save the setting so that you can return to it at next use. For Multi-color mode, simply press both the G and R buttons simultaneously for one (1) second. To vary the colors press either the R or G button until the desired color is achieved.

The UTG 2-7X44 30mm Long Eye Relief Scout Scope, AO, 36-color uses a single CR2032 3V battery that is mounted in a top housing and you get one as a spare.  I can’t estimate battery life and none is provided in the specifications.

The 30mm tube allows more light to enter the scope, which makes it much brighter than with the one-inch scope that I had been using. The glass is crystal clear and the built-in sun-shade keeps the lens shaded when facing into the sun’s direction. Optional sunshades are also available.

Ruger Gunsite Scout with UTG 2-7x44mm LER Scope Mounted.

The 11” to 9.5” eye relief is near perfect for my eyes with the scope mounted on the Ruger, even with a recoil pad mounted.  There is plenty of rail on the Ruger Gunsite Scout rifle for positioning the scope exactly where you need it. The major difference between the AIM 2-7×32 scope that was mounted and the UTG scope is that the eyepiece is above the ejection port of the rifle with the scope mounted centered on the rail.  The UTG 2-7x44mm scope is a much larger and longer scope than the AIM 2-7×32. Of course, the scope can be re=positioned on the rail as desired.

The unit comes with a set of Picatinny/Weaver 30mm quad-mount scope mounts that, for the most part, are robust and more than adequate. Personally, I prefer Warne QD rings over others. If I needed to remove the scope, for whatever reason, the QD levers on the scope rings allow me to do so. The provided scope rings; however, do allow for quick attachment and detachment via a twist-lock on each scope mount that allows me to tighten and loosen as needed.  The centerline of the optic resides 2.0 inches above the bore of the rifle and I could not ask for better clearance between scope and rifle.

At the range, I could definitely tell the difference between the UTG 2-7X44 30mm Long Eye Relief Scout Scope, AO, 36-color and the AIM 2-7x32mm scope that I had been using. For my eyes, the UTG was the more preferable of the two.

A down-side is the weight of the scope. At 25.4 ounces (1.5875 pounds), this is a heavy scope to be mounting forward of the action that is common on ‘Scout’ rifles. The Ruger Gunsite Scout (in .308 Winchester) weighs in at around 7.3 pounds heavy (un-loaded). With the scope mounted, that brings the gross weight up to 8.825 pounds (141.20 ounces). Then, add a full-magazine (10-rounds) of .308, and perhaps a bipod, and the ‘Scout’ is heading upward quite a bit in weight.

There is an optional ‘wheel’ that can be purchased, which attaches to the side-parallax adjustment knob that allows you to ‘precision’ adjust the parallax. This device; however, is not needed in my viewpoint.  The parallax was adjusted just fine, thank you.

Whether you need a ‘Scout’ scope or would simply like to mount one on your favorite ‘American Rifle’ forward of the action on a long rail, the UTG 2-7X44 30mm Long Eye Relief Scout Scope, AO, 36-color might just be a good choice for you. For the price of the scope, there are a lot of features to be had.

RESOURCES AND REFERENCES

UTG 2-7X44 30mm Long Eye Relief Scout Scope, AO, 36-color: https://www.amazon.com/UTG-2-7X44-Relief-Scout-36-color/dp/B00IPF8QZS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1518866799&sr=8-1&keywords=UTG+2-7×44