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Scout rifles
- Thread starter Delta-3
- Start date
I have the Ruger Scout rifle. Too big and heavy to qualify as a light and quick handling rifle. I do like it though. I think the Ruger American fills the bill much better. I have two, 7.62x39 and .450 Bushmaster. Like them both very much. I have not tried subsonic suppressed loads with the .450 yet, but it is on my "things to do" list. I also have an older Gibbs or Navy Arms Ishapore 2A1 "Jungle Carbine" in .308 that is pretty compact.
krf
krf
Yeah, Ruger could have done a better job on their scout. They should have went with a 19" skinny barrel instead of the mid weight and the detachable box magazine is not really necessary if you use a scout scope being that you have complete access to the action for reloading. That being said, I like mine. It's a tack driver. The best thing I did to it was replacing the laminated wood stock with a synthetic. This takes some weight off. I have a Kimber Montana in .308 that I think would make the ideal featherweight scout rifle. Doves custom makes a scout scope mount for it so this may become one of my future projects.
Firemedic8998
Well-known member
I have built a few scout rifles on various military actions, and I have had some what I'd call 'tanker' shortened versions of military bolt guns too. When I could still see iron sights I much preferred them; I recall one set on a 'tankerized' No.4 Enfield that really helped that rifle be very accurate. Now I usually use a low power scope mounted forward as to allow for stripper clip loading. I have a SMLE 2A done up that way in a composite stock that is very light and quick, but it's not really all that accurate. I understand this is common on chopped SMLE rifles, but I haven't given up on it quite yet, there's a few things left to try on that one. Never had an FR8 but those look like the cat's meow right there straight from the factory. One of those in a composite stock would be pretty much apocalypse-proof I'd think.
One surprising one I did a long time ago was built around a Carcano Model 41 in 6.5 with the normal rifling instead of the gain twist common to the other versions. That way the barrel can be shortened without slowing the rifling twist and wrecking the accuracy. That one really surprised me with how accurate and pleasant it was to shoot. I messed it up by putting a folding stock on it, which pretty much destroyed the accuracy but did make it hella short for storage, then traded it off for something else instead of fixing it back up. I liked the six round capacity and rapid loading that rig had and have been thinking about building another one when I get a free minute (which doesn't seem like it's going to happen any time soon, but you never know.) Someone was building a forward scope mount that was a sleeve that you'd epoxy around the entire barrel just forward of the action, then inlet the stock to suit.. Those were rock solid and I really liked them, but I can't recall who made them or if they still do? That's the way I'd go again. No folding stock this time though, I learned my lesson!
One surprising one I did a long time ago was built around a Carcano Model 41 in 6.5 with the normal rifling instead of the gain twist common to the other versions. That way the barrel can be shortened without slowing the rifling twist and wrecking the accuracy. That one really surprised me with how accurate and pleasant it was to shoot. I messed it up by putting a folding stock on it, which pretty much destroyed the accuracy but did make it hella short for storage, then traded it off for something else instead of fixing it back up. I liked the six round capacity and rapid loading that rig had and have been thinking about building another one when I get a free minute (which doesn't seem like it's going to happen any time soon, but you never know.) Someone was building a forward scope mount that was a sleeve that you'd epoxy around the entire barrel just forward of the action, then inlet the stock to suit.. Those were rock solid and I really liked them, but I can't recall who made them or if they still do? That's the way I'd go again. No folding stock this time though, I learned my lesson!
I have built a few scout rifles on various military actions, and I have had some what I'd call 'tanker' shortened versions of military bolt guns too. When I could still see iron sights I much preferred them; I recall one set on a 'tankerized' No.4 Enfield that really helped that rifle be very accurate. Now I usually use a low power scope mounted forward as to allow for stripper clip loading. I have a SMLE 2A done up that way in a composite stock that is very light and quick, but it's not really all that accurate. I understand this is common on chopped SMLE rifles, but I haven't given up on it quite yet, there's a few things left to try on that one. Never had an FR8 but those look like the cat's meow right there straight from the factory. One of those in a composite stock would be pretty much apocalypse-proof I'd think.
One surprising one I did a long time ago was built around a Carcano Model 41 in 6.5 with the normal rifling instead of the gain twist common to the other versions. That way the barrel can be shortened without slowing the rifling twist and wrecking the accuracy. That one really surprised me with how accurate and pleasant it was to shoot. I messed it up by putting a folding stock on it, which pretty much destroyed the accuracy but did make it hella short for storage, then traded it off for something else instead of fixing it back up. I liked the six round capacity and rapid loading that rig had and have been thinking about building another one when I get a free minute (which doesn't seem like it's going to happen any time soon, but you never know.) Someone was building a forward scope mount that was a sleeve that you'd epoxy around the entire barrel just forward of the action, then inlet the stock to suit.. Those were rock solid and I really liked them, but I can't recall who made them or if they still do? That's the way I'd go again. No folding stock this time though, I learned my lesson!
Firemedic8998
Well-known member
That's the one! I've built 4 or 5 of those and none have ever moved.
Bladewurk
Well-known member
I was so excited when the Ruger Scout was announced but it’s too heavy in my opinion.
Last I saw Gunsite uses Ruger American Ranch rifles in their classes, I view them as almost a disposable rifle but good enough.
I have one that shoots well.
Last I saw Gunsite uses Ruger American Ranch rifles in their classes, I view them as almost a disposable rifle but good enough.
I have one that shoots well.
Colts4me
Well-known member
Stock is way too heavy on the Ruger, too bad someone doesn't make a light one.
Delta-3
Well-known member
I really like the stock on my GSR. I know there are lighter polymer ones out there but I don't mind the weight.
Firemedic8998
Well-known member
I really like the look of the Tikka T3X Arctic, but have never even handled one. If it's good enough for the Canadian Rangers then it's probably one hell of a rifle. All it'd need would be a forward scope mount to be a scout rifle, but with modern interchangeable magazines maybe clip loading wouldn't really be necessary any more. That would make for a wider range of optic choices. One of those Tikkas with a rugged LVPO would make quite a decent rig I'd think.
www.recoilweb.com
Tikka T3x Arctic Review: A Gift from the North
The Tikka T3x Arctic is a beefed-up, scaled-down, all-around rifle designed for hard use by the Canadian Rangers. Now you can get one, too.
Firemedic8998
Well-known member
Wow, didn't realize it was that heavy. Bummer.
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Colts4me
Well-known member
Sale on Ruger scout mags.
www.midwayusa.com
Ruger Mag Ruger Precision Rifle Gunsite Scout 308 Winchester 10-Round
The Ruger chassis magazine fits the Ruger Precision Rifle and the Gunsite Scout Rifle chambered in 308 Win, 6.5 Creedmoor, 243 Win and other 308...
www.midwayusa.com
OhioPlinker
Well-known member
Thanks!Sale on Ruger scout mags.
Ruger Mag Ruger Precision Rifle Gunsite Scout 308 Winchester 10-Round
The Ruger chassis magazine fits the Ruger Precision Rifle and the Gunsite Scout Rifle chambered in 308 Win, 6.5 Creedmoor, 243 Win and other 308...
Delta-3
Well-known member
The 10 rd Pmags work well but are a little wobbly in my GSR.
mack1611
Well-known member
A little more Swedish love...
Delta-3
Well-known member
Coopers scout rifle qualifications are virtually unattainable. A few Co.'s have come pretty close & I would consider them "scout" rifles. The caliber can be debated as well. Any reasonable .30 should be sufficient along with the .243 & up.
One of mine is a Ruger GSR in 6.5CM & except for some big African game, it should kill anything on the planet. Two or four legged.
I would call any of these a scout rifle.
One of mine is a Ruger GSR in 6.5CM & except for some big African game, it should kill anything on the planet. Two or four legged.
I would call any of these a scout rifle.
Winchester 70, 308, Burris 2.75 X, funky sling. I think this qualifies as a Scout Rifle. Was put together by Shlomo, and I bought it from the estate. Didn't really have a use for it but he was so taken with the thing. Had me sitting at the end of his driveway scoping out the tree line on the other side of the road.
Bladewurk
Well-known member
Cooper said a lot of things about rifles, with the Scout concept he did spec out his wants.
But expressed admiration for other types,
Here’s a quote:
“ One might construct a quite good scout rifle with a Savage 99, but it would still be a couple of inches longer than a comparable bolt gun.” Jeff Cooper 1984
When I first read that in print I was 14 years old and I dreamed of owning all these rifles. I used to go to Frank Pachmayrs beautiful dark gun room and just daydream…
Now I have one (99 featherweight) and it’s a very handy rifle with a low power Leupold 1-4x, although I have higher expectations now for action strength and especially extraction force.
Ok back to bolt guns, I’d love an FR-8, Swedish Mauser or an Enfield Scout.
And a pre-64 Win 70 has been on my list for a while, I almost bought a competition modified one with charger slots a few times years ago, now they seem far fetched.
The new Rugers and such are much more practical though not as fun for me.
My Swedes and Enfields load like lightning, esp the Enfield with a Swiss K31 charger!
But expressed admiration for other types,
Here’s a quote:
“ One might construct a quite good scout rifle with a Savage 99, but it would still be a couple of inches longer than a comparable bolt gun.” Jeff Cooper 1984
When I first read that in print I was 14 years old and I dreamed of owning all these rifles. I used to go to Frank Pachmayrs beautiful dark gun room and just daydream…
Now I have one (99 featherweight) and it’s a very handy rifle with a low power Leupold 1-4x, although I have higher expectations now for action strength and especially extraction force.
Ok back to bolt guns, I’d love an FR-8, Swedish Mauser or an Enfield Scout.
And a pre-64 Win 70 has been on my list for a while, I almost bought a competition modified one with charger slots a few times years ago, now they seem far fetched.
The new Rugers and such are much more practical though not as fun for me.
My Swedes and Enfields load like lightning, esp the Enfield with a Swiss K31 charger!
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Delta-3
Well-known member
I'd say that qualifies.