I've kind of got the scout rifle bug (in .308), but I haven't been able to actually handle one. I'm kind of thinking Ruger for the Mauser action. but I kind of like the Savage as well.

I'd like to hear your thoughts on these rifles.

More monies but I have always loved the Steyr Scout the most!

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I'd like to hear your thoughts on these rifles.

Two thoughts on the category:
1. Solution looking for a problem.
2. Everything a scout rifle can do an AR15 or AR10 can do better.

The only time I came close to purchasing one was when I lived in Can-eh-duh. It took me 10 months to get the PAL and it was just the basic PAL allowing items not restricted or prohibited (e.g. 18.5" or longer barreled bolt action rifles and shotguns) since the next level of license was supposed to take an additional 6 months. I came close to buying a scout rifle to have a SD gun instead of 24" hunting rifle and 28" hunting shotgun.

As far as the two rifles you listed:

Neither makes Cooper's 7.0 lb weight restriction. If you want to get there on a budget Ruger makes a short barreled American at 6 lbs and Howa's is exactly 7 lbs. If you can increase your budget the Steyr is 6.6. lbs.

If there is a chance of deer hunting in one of the states that went from shotgun only to straight walled cartridge then 450 bushmaster makes sense

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Ego is the anesthesia that deadens the pain of stupidity

DISCLAIMER: These are the author's own personal views and do not represent the views of the author's employer.

I have a Ruger GSR in .308 (Model 6830) with the shorter barrel and synthetic stock. GREAT gun! I have a Burris 2-7 Scout scope on it and she rocks. Tons of fun, and in a compact, lightweight hard hitting package. The Colonel would be proud.

I have the Ruger GSR in 308 & one in 6.5 Creedmoor. Both have been outstanding rifles! They have been very accurate & dependable.

308



6.5CM

quote:

Originally posted by JonDaddy82:
I have a Ruger GSR in .308 (Model 6830) with the shorter barrel and synthetic stock. GREAT gun! I have a Burris 2-7 Scout scope on it and she rocks. Tons of fun, and in a compact, lightweight hard hitting package. The Colonel would be proud.

I have the same gun and scope but in green wood. I second everything you said. Swap it with some magpul 10 rd mags and you can load it with mag in gun or swap mags. Makes for a great truck gun riding around the ranch.

My cousin’s son used his .308 Ruger scout rifle once and never gave it back. He’s been mass murdering deer with it in central NC for the last two seasons. I haven’t heard him make so much as a negative peep about it.

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I have a Burris 2-7 Scout scope on it and she rocks. Tons of fun, and in a compact, lightweight hard hitting package.

Exactly! That's a Burris 2-7x on my 6.5CM. I've gone through a few scout scopes & the Burris is by far the best all around.

I have a Springfield M1A Scout Squad and I love it. At 8.8 pounds it doesn't make Cooper's weight restriction, but neither do AR pattern .308 guns.

I have a Vortex 2-7 scout scope on it and it's a great field gun.


Pic Posted!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: ArtieS,

The thing I like most about the scout setup is being able to wrap my hand around the action at the center of balance and carry it one handed.

I have a Styer and I'm torn. I always say, I love the back half of the rifle. The front half doesn't do much for me, so I resent paying so much extra for it.

quote:

Originally posted by 4x5:
I've kind of got the scout rifle bug (in .308), but I haven't been able to actually handle one.

You should handle one first. Better yet, use one in the manner you intend shoot down the road.

I'm not thrilled about scout-type rifles. Sure, they're lighter and shorter than traditional rifles. Therefore, they have a place in hunting. But I don't like the scope-forward setup and I don't like scout-type scopes.

If you’re seeking a lightweight, quick-handling rifle for something like hunting (and I can see the appeal in many situations), there are countless good options that don’t have “scout” in their model names. I don’t have too much experience with such guns, but if I were interested, I’d choose it on the basis of cartridge, barrel length, type of sight, its smooth reliable operation, and intended use.

As for the original “scout” concept as envisioned by Cooper as a military weapon, the most charitable thing I can say about it was that it might have had some relevance to real world applications during the Boer War or perhaps as late as WW I.

When the genuine scouts of the Army’s Studies and Observation Group went scouting in Vietnam 50+ years ago, their primary weapons bore some little resemblance to Cooper’s concept by being short and light, but they were chambered for the 5.56mm cartridge, usually had iron sights, and were capable of full automatic fire. In addition, the scouts carried lots and lots of ammunition, but even then they sometimes ran out. Even when operating in thick jungle, it wasn’t always possible to slip away from skilled, determined pursuers so easily after firing a few quick aimed shots as Cooper imagined.

My most common shooting drill is a “comprehensive skills” course that involves many different stages with rifle and handgun. I usually use an AR for the course, but just to say I can do it, I sometimes shoot the course with a 223 Tikka T3 bolt action rifle and the scopesight set on low power. It’s therefore similar to the scout gun except for caliber and scope location. Does that gun do a little better at 50 yards than an AR with an Aimpoint? Yes, but only slightly, and for everything else—primarily engaging multiple targets quickly near to far—the AR is obviously far better.

My swedish mauser carbine with a scout scope set up.

While I'm not a fan of the forward sitting optic, I had the Ruger .308 Scout topped with a 1 1/2X% Leopold scope in the traditional scope location.

As I recall, it was a very accurate little rifle.

But alas, I sold it to fund the Steyr which I was sidetracked from buying by something else.

I have the Ruger GSR with the synthetic stock. It is significantly lighter than the laminate wood stock.
I added the XS sights full rail for more scope mounting options. I tried the Leupold 1.5-4 in the traditional location and didn't love it. Wrong balance point and too heavy. I recently switched to the Burris scout scope 2.75 x 20 in the forward position. Much lighter scope and better balance.
I have yet to put her through her paces but I do like the way it handles in dry practice.

Bruce

A month ago I came very close to buying an Aimpoint micro to put on my Steyr. Just have a problem with $650 dot sights, especially ones that will probably spend 355 days a year in the safe. Where as my scout scope is paid for and I can hit things with it way out past distance I've got any business shooting things at.

It is tempting though.

Way too many of the commercially available scout rifles are heavy. There are several lightweight hunting rifles that make a better base for a scout project.

I had a steyr scour at one point but sold it awhile back, apparently mine was fairly desirable because of the bolt knob which was sort of flat and not really a knob but I didn’t know that at the time. Wish I’d held on to it.

I have the ruger and like it. Very accurate. I wish I had the synthetic stock though. The wood is very heavy. Does anyone make a lighter drop in stock in left hand format?

I have the Ruger Gunsite in 308 and it's a decent rifle. BTW, I have mine setup as a true Scout Rifle with a Nikon 3-9 power handgun scope mounted to the rail. Accuracy from a cold barrel is quite good but mine has a tendency to string vertically as the barrel heats up. I suspect the cause is the mounting rail for the forward scope mount but I'll be the first to admit that's just a hunch. As for function, the polymer magazines are hands down VASTLY superior than the original issue steel magazines. As for the weight, it really doesn't bother me at all but am used to throwing around a nearly 8 lbs. O/U shotgun every weekend busting clays. In regards to the trigger, it's a nice crisp trigger but some may find it a bit heavy.

As for what it is NOT, that is a super precision rifle, it's a basic brush gun and while you may be able to get sub MOA with a custom tuned hand load you won't ever be using 1/2 inch dots as targets. Good news is that it is a Ruger T-77 so if you want to go whole hog and mount something like a heavy profile Shilen barrel on it that will be easy to do.