Scout Rifles
- Thread starter Jar Head
- Start date
JH! I have the original Scout Rifle! 1895G 45-70! All kidding aside, I haven't ever owned a bolt gun version. One of the guys in the rear just bought a Ruger Gunsite Scout. After handling them a few times, I see how nice they would be for alot of hunting.
I am kinda looking at putting a Scout Scope on the Guide Rifle. It has the full rail, I just can decide on a scope yet. Leupold does have their new VXR 1.5x5 Scout which is about the ultimate that I can find so far for a hunting scope, along with their VX2 1.5x4 and the 2.5X Fixed. Seems like they are the leader in scout style scopes. I know running an Eotech or Aimpoint in the Scout position on my carrying rifle for duty is fast for sighting and really easy to make hits with out to 300 meters.
Good luck, it sounds like a cool rifle.
http://www.samplelist.com/Leupold-15-5x ... 58274.aspx
http://swfa.com/Leupold-15-4x28-VX-II-S ... 50858.aspx
http://swfa.com/Leupold-25x28-FX-II-Sco ... P3262.aspx
I am kinda looking at putting a Scout Scope on the Guide Rifle. It has the full rail, I just can decide on a scope yet. Leupold does have their new VXR 1.5x5 Scout which is about the ultimate that I can find so far for a hunting scope, along with their VX2 1.5x4 and the 2.5X Fixed. Seems like they are the leader in scout style scopes. I know running an Eotech or Aimpoint in the Scout position on my carrying rifle for duty is fast for sighting and really easy to make hits with out to 300 meters.
Good luck, it sounds like a cool rifle.
http://www.samplelist.com/Leupold-15-5x ... 58274.aspx
http://swfa.com/Leupold-15-4x28-VX-II-S ... 50858.aspx
http://swfa.com/Leupold-25x28-FX-II-Sco ... P3262.aspx
Not sure just what caliber you're looking at getting, but I wouldn't mind having either of these "Scout rifles"
http://www.gunsinternational.com/Ruger- ... =100269248
http://www.gunsinternational.com/Ruger- ... =100269252
http://www.gunsinternational.com/Ruger- ... =100269248
http://www.gunsinternational.com/Ruger- ... =100269252
DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
- 37,850
- 7,625
The scout rifle concept is fascinating. I have never been tempted to own one, but I can see the allure.
Jar Head":2axohu3d said:
Dad had one of the Savages right after they first came out a few years ago, it's the only rifle he has ever regretted trading.
The new one with the Accu-Trigger should be an even better shooter.
While it doesn't have the mag capacity of the Ruger, it is considerablby lighter wieght which according to Jeff Cooper is a key element to a scout rifle. Most of the time you don't need most of the mag capacity you think you need.
Besides all that, to quote a good friend; "Friends don't let Friends shoot Rugers".
Guy Miner
Master Loader
- Apr 6, 2006
- 18,103
- 7,716
I followed those articles from Colonel Cooper as he, along with others, were developing the Scout Rifle concept. It was pretty neat.
As I recall the basic idea was a rifle with enough punch and accuracy to take on any game animal out to 400 meters, or to use in combat if necessary. Reasonably light, rugged, accurate.
The forward mounted Scout Scope came as a result of having to top load a bolt-action rifle via stripper clip - magazines hanging down from below weren't avail back in the 1980's when Cooper was working up his Scout Rifle concept.
Never broke down and built one, but I sure have thought about slapping a forward rail and a Scout Scope on my old M1917 .30-06, which of course has the stripper clip cutout necessary for that kind of reloading.
Decided though that I like my conventional scope mounting too much to change at this point, and rapid reloading isn't something I need concern myself with when using the .30-06 anymore.
I like both the Ruger and the Savage version - Scout rifles used to mean a custom build, not anymore.
Guy
As I recall the basic idea was a rifle with enough punch and accuracy to take on any game animal out to 400 meters, or to use in combat if necessary. Reasonably light, rugged, accurate.
The forward mounted Scout Scope came as a result of having to top load a bolt-action rifle via stripper clip - magazines hanging down from below weren't avail back in the 1980's when Cooper was working up his Scout Rifle concept.
Never broke down and built one, but I sure have thought about slapping a forward rail and a Scout Scope on my old M1917 .30-06, which of course has the stripper clip cutout necessary for that kind of reloading.
Decided though that I like my conventional scope mounting too much to change at this point, and rapid reloading isn't something I need concern myself with when using the .30-06 anymore.
I like both the Ruger and the Savage version - Scout rifles used to mean a custom build, not anymore.
Guy
A
Anonymous
Guest
I've had a couple Scout rifles dating back to an original Steyr. I've also had a converted Marlin 336, an 1895, a couple of customs and handled a fair additional number of them including the Savage (which is pretty decent).
I'm a big fan of the Scout concept and for an "all-around" hunting rifle they're pretty nice. Better in the woods than open country due to sunlight reflecting off the ocular lens when backlit from certain angles but that's generally a minor issue. I've taken a number of critters with the Steyr, mostly whitetails but some at over 200yds. I've just picked my second one I like it so much.
The forward scope does facilitate stripper loading but a bigger benefit is being able to track and shoot with both eyes open- particularly as animals move through broken cover. It is definately the fastest, most convenient rifle configuration I've ever had. A standard bolt rifle is better at certain things but for speed and convenience the Scout is tops.
I'm a big fan of the Scout concept and for an "all-around" hunting rifle they're pretty nice. Better in the woods than open country due to sunlight reflecting off the ocular lens when backlit from certain angles but that's generally a minor issue. I've taken a number of critters with the Steyr, mostly whitetails but some at over 200yds. I've just picked my second one I like it so much.
The forward scope does facilitate stripper loading but a bigger benefit is being able to track and shoot with both eyes open- particularly as animals move through broken cover. It is definately the fastest, most convenient rifle configuration I've ever had. A standard bolt rifle is better at certain things but for speed and convenience the Scout is tops.
madman":1nu0akpw said:Huge fan of scout rifles. I've got two built by Ted Yost. My .308 is one of the least tempermental rifles I own, and the .458 Lott (Yes Pop, I have one) is one of the most fun to shoot. Great hunting rig too.
--md
Maddog, that is an AWESOME pair of rifles! That 458 is just AWESOME!
Are they both 2.5X Leupolds on them?
Wow, great build, those are really sharp!
DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
- 37,850
- 7,625
Well, Madman, you certainly have a couple of fascinating rifles. One has to like your choice in cartridges; what a hammer the Lott has to be.
Guy Miner
Master Loader
- Apr 6, 2006
- 18,103
- 7,716
Terrific rifles!
Guy Miner
Master Loader
- Apr 6, 2006
- 18,103
- 7,716
Anyone here have any hands-on experience with the Ruger "Gunsite Scout Rifle" ?
Held and inspected but not shot, seems a little bit on the heavy side to me. I'd liken it to lugging around my Pre64 M70 30/06 which isn't to terribly bad but not what I'd be looking for in a scout rifle.
When I think of a scout rifle I think lightweight, heavy-hitting, accurate out to at least 300 yards carbines like the Savage Scout, Remington Model 7, Steyr, or the CZ527.
Jimmy
When I think of a scout rifle I think lightweight, heavy-hitting, accurate out to at least 300 yards carbines like the Savage Scout, Remington Model 7, Steyr, or the CZ527.
Jimmy
A
Anonymous
Guest
I've held and looked at the Ruger offering (not shot one though) and while it's a step in the right direction there are certainly some things I don't like about it.
I feels "clunky"...sorry it's not more descriptive. But it's thick where it shouldn't be and thin where it should be thick? Oddly proportioned is a better term when compared to my Steyr or a custom Scout I had on a Model 7 Remington.
I like the sights, hate the 10rd mag (in the way) and the flash suppressor is a useless piece of tacticool marketing. Those things are all fixable and I'll probably have one eventually- probably the lefty version for my son. A big plus is the existence of a lefty version and for Southpaws its the only game in town short of full custom.
The barrel contour is pretty thick and it's sorta short. I'd prefer a longer, thinner barrel of about 20" minus the flash suppressor.
Not a bad piece and a "true" Scout when you get right down to it and I'd probably be pretty happy with it, but when I consider I just bought a 1st edition Cooper Steyr for the price of a new Ruger and a Leupold IER scope it kinda puts it in perspective. Deals like that aren't too common but they are there for someone looking hard and patient.
For an off the shelf Scout, a Ruger GSR with either a Leupold or Burris IER scope is likely OK and would certainly exhibit most of the great qualities of a scout rifle.
I feels "clunky"...sorry it's not more descriptive. But it's thick where it shouldn't be and thin where it should be thick? Oddly proportioned is a better term when compared to my Steyr or a custom Scout I had on a Model 7 Remington.
I like the sights, hate the 10rd mag (in the way) and the flash suppressor is a useless piece of tacticool marketing. Those things are all fixable and I'll probably have one eventually- probably the lefty version for my son. A big plus is the existence of a lefty version and for Southpaws its the only game in town short of full custom.
The barrel contour is pretty thick and it's sorta short. I'd prefer a longer, thinner barrel of about 20" minus the flash suppressor.
Not a bad piece and a "true" Scout when you get right down to it and I'd probably be pretty happy with it, but when I consider I just bought a 1st edition Cooper Steyr for the price of a new Ruger and a Leupold IER scope it kinda puts it in perspective. Deals like that aren't too common but they are there for someone looking hard and patient.
For an off the shelf Scout, a Ruger GSR with either a Leupold or Burris IER scope is likely OK and would certainly exhibit most of the great qualities of a scout rifle.
Guy Miner":h2tspfx6 said:
Yes, I've shot the Ruger. It's heavy and not as handy to point as my scouts. I like the detachable magazine, but I'm sure Cooper is rolling in his grave over the changes Ruger made to "his" design. I don't like the muzzle brake on it... I just don't think it's needed. However, I'm sure there are people that would prefer it.
--md
