Low-power Scout Scope

[9.1]

I've got a top-ejecting lever action 357 mag rifle that I use to hunt whitetail to a max range of 100 yards. I had to pass on a shot last season a few minutes before the end of legal shooting light because I couldn't quite make out my target through the peep sights without much light. I'm wondering if a scout scope might help avoid this issue in the future. I think a 2-7x scope might be too much for this rifle and a 1.5-4x sounds ideal. What do you guys think?

I'm currently eyeing the Leupold VX-Freedom 1.5-4X28 IER Scout Scope. Are there any other good options out there?

 

[TMKSHOOTER]

My only experience with scout scopes is a 2-7 vortex that came on a 30-30 I bought. 7 power on a scout scope is extremely narrow and hard to get behind. I would lean towards lower power just for the wider field of view. Fixed 2.5 or similar wouldn’t be a bad option ethier.

 

[Blue72]

Go red dot

it eliminates the light robbing peep sights, but keeps the handiness of a lever action

 

[9.1]

Go red dot

it eliminates the light robbing peep sights, but keeps the handiness of a lever action

I've thought about it, but I hate batteries and I think I'd like just a little magnification. Does anyone make something like a 1.5x or 2x shake-awake red dot?

 

[Blue72]

I've thought about it, but I hate batteries and I think I'd like just a little magnification. Does anyone make something like a 1.5x or 2x shake-awake red dot?

yes, they are called prisms….primary arms has some lightweight ones (under 6-7 ounces)

but you don’t want magnification for low light, you want a bigger aperture in whatever scope you choose

 

[FLATHEAD]

Vortex venom

 

[jzeblaz]

I think Aimpoint makes those too.

 

[JDeanP]

Leupold doesn't make the scout scope I want anymore (couple gens previous, with the red dot), but their current "scout scope" seems like it's better on a lever than a bolt gun. The Vortex scout on my Savage allows me to keep the top free for reloads etc. Obviously not a concern with a lever. Still keeping an ear to the ground for a replacement, but it does work well enough for now.

Edit: The thing I don't like about the Vortex is that it's a chunky boy, and it looks like the scope equivalent of a sampling from peopleofwalmartdotcom. Unlike some of the spandexed walmart goers, it does work.