Scout Rifles

Wincheringen · Jan 3, 2013

I already don't care for the weight of a loaded 10 round steel magazine in the gun. The Poly mag is half the weight (or less) and about an inch shorter. I prefer them.

atmoshpere · Jan 24, 2013

I've been reading about this concept (scout rifle) for a while and it seems to be bringing together several ideas that I've been rolling around for a while:

1st- I've been drinking the 358 win Kool-Aid for some time now as I just have this fantasy of using it for a spike gun in some timbered areas that we occasionally hunt.

2nd- I've got a 20" heavy contour Savage factory take-off chambered in 308win that would be perfect to send to JES reboring to become the magical 358win :twisted:

3rd- for ~$350 I can get a used Savage model 10 with DBM in 243 for donor action. (would essentially be the same action, trigger, mag and bottom metal that my 284 is built on)

4th- My wife's new gun has reinvigorated my appreciation for short, handy rifles.

There is basically my ideal setup on gunbroker right now in a Ruger, but it is apparently a bit of a collectors item as it was never catalogued/mass produced, so they only want $1,100

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=327183248

Building my own: $350 (action, stock etc.), $225 (rebore/rechamber 308 bbl to 358 bbl w 3 groove), ~$50 shipping bbl (only goes across state), $50 (gunsmith bbl swap/headspace on savages)

So far I'm at $675 but I haven't got the forward mount figured out yet. Savage's mdl 10 scout uses a B-Square made mount, but I can't find it anywhere for individual sale. If I could, I believe it only requires 1 hole for the front of the mount and utilizes the front 2 receiver mount holes on the action. $15 to drill/tap front hole plus ?$ for the mount itself. If I had to have 'smith modify another rail type mount I still think I could come out under $800 for my dream scout/358/timber elk, deer, bear slaying masterpiece :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:

Anyone used handgun scopes on a scout rifle or is the eye relief too long? They seem shorter/lighter than most fixed power rifle scopes and most are built tough for hunting handgun recoil.

Would have to add a 3rd sling mount in front of the mag well too as I like the ching sling concept.

What did I miss? :mrgreen:

CMBTshooter · Jan 24, 2013

I'm currently working on making a scout rifle from an M24/47 Mauser. I cut the barrel down to 18.5 inches, filed down the rear sight, cut and welded the bolt handle so it's angled and swept back. I also cut down, reshaped, and thinned out the stock.

I'm going to put a picatinny rail where the rear sight used to be so I can mount a Leupold FX-II or an aimpoint. Then it's going to get a timney trigger, a dakota three position safety, and then it's all going to get parkerized. I'll work on getting some pictures together.

DrMike · Jan 25, 2013

Atmosphere,

The .358 Win is an excellent cartridge for the purpose you envision. I have loved my BLRs and I assuredly enjoy the Hawkeye I currently carry afield. The Gun Broker offering reveals a handsome Ruger, to be certain. The value (in the eyes of the seller, and perhaps in the eyes of those who bid on it) is exaggerated somewhat by the fact that it is NIB and a non-cataloged offering. Ergo, the purchaser is paying a premium for these reasons, which is of less value (I would assume) to you for your purpose. I believe your chosen course to build is sound. You appear to have a good grasp of what is entailed. The only alternative I might offer is to look for one of the more recent Ruger Hawkeyes for sale. Though they were a twenty-two inch barrel, if you were so inclined, that could be cut down to twenty inches. All that I have shot or heard of produced good to exceptional accuracy, and they are a good looking rifle, to boot.

atmoshpere · Jan 25, 2013

DrMike":vuxk7t9v said:
The Gun Broker offering reveals a handsome Ruger, to be certain. The value (in the eyes of the seller, and perhaps in the eyes of those who bid on it) is exaggerated somewhat by the fact that it is NIB and a non-cataloged offering. Ergo, the purchaser is paying a premium for these reasons, which is of less value (I would assume) to you for your purpose.

Spot on.

The only alternative I might offer is to look for one of the more recent Ruger Hawkeyes for sale. Though they were a twenty-two inch barrel, if you were so inclined, that could be cut down to twenty inches. All that I have shot or heard of produced good to exceptional accuracy, and they are a good looking rifle, to boot.

I agree, they are handsome and would undoubtedly fit the bill. The only advantage (if you can call it that :grin: ) I can think of to building one is that I get to play around with the project as funds become available instead of fronting all the cash up front in a point, click, done transaction.

I think this scout rifle 358 should provide a nice counterpoint to my 284.