Do you have any experience with any of the scout rifles?

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 26 Sep 2015 20:50:00 -0400

Lieutenant Colonel Jeff Cooper's ideal of a general-purpose rifle, which he dubbed a "scout rifle". Was a bolt-action carbine chambered in .30 caliber (7.62 mm), less than 1 meter in length, less than 3 kilograms in weight, with iron sights, a forward mounted optical sight (long eye relief scope), and fitted with a practical sling (such as Ching sling). Cooper defined his goal: "... a general-purpose rifle is a conveniently portable, individually operated firearm, capable of striking a single decisive blow, on a live target of up to 200 kilos in weight, at any distance at which the operator can shoot with the precision necessary to place a shot in a vital area of the target". The version considered by many to be the benchmark is the Steyr Scout. But other companies are now in the fray with the Savage Scout, Ruger Gunsite Scout, Mossberg MVP and also Springfield armory although theirs are not a true scout in the sense of being bolt action, the Scout Squad and the SOCOM 16.

Many on the AR-15 side of things think the rifle is a waste of time. And there is no need for it. Personally I don't think you can argue the simplicity and dependability of a bolt action rifle. And in the configuration that Col. Cooper envisioned, it is a good concept. How do you feel, is there a place for a rifle like this?
http://www.ruger.com/products/gunsiteScoutRifle/models.html http://www.mossberg.com/category/series/mvp-series/mvp-scout/
http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/model/11Scout http://www.steyrarms.com/products/hunting-rifles/scout/ http://www.springfield-armory.com/products/m1a-scout-squad/

Ruger Gunsite Scout Rifle Models

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 27 at 2015 12:34 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 27 Sep 2015 00:34:25 -0400

Seems like the M1 carbine would fit this definition. It's one of my personal favorites

Response by Cpl Chris Cargile made Sep 27 at 2015 11:04 PM

Cpl Chris Cargile — Sun, 27 Sep 2015 23:04:28 -0400

I have a Ruger Gunsite, Leupold LER scope w/ QD mounts. I researched the scout rifle concept before buying and still consider it valid. An all-around offensive/game-getting rifle, accurate, reliable and hard-hitting. Oh, and the ammo is plentiful. What's not to like?

Response by Maj Chris Nelson made Sep 28 at 2015 9:01 AM

Maj Chris Nelson — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 09:01:46 -0400

I used to have an M-6 scout rifle. Single shot .22 Hornet with .410. Over Under, mitten trigger. Barrel was exactly legal length. broke into 2 parts and carried extra rounds in the stock. Loved it, other then the price and availability of the .22 Hornet ammo....sold it...wish I hadn't done that.....

Response by LTC Matthew Tieszen made Oct 2 at 2015 11:24 AM

LTC Matthew Tieszen — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 11:24:51 -0400

I picked up a Ruger Gunsite Scout last year. I have the .308 with 16" barrel and laminate stock. I do, however, not really follow Coopers' idea and have added an XS full length rail and Nikon M308 scope. I've also not found a sling that I like for it. All this places it a tad above his 3kilo weight.
The rifle is a tack driver and comfortable to shoot. In an above Post MSgt Borders mentioning the kick may be a kin to a .300 Win-Mag but I cant say I've shot one but found the recoil of the Scout to be lighter than I had anticipated.

Response by SSG Shawn Ireland made Oct 21 at 2015 7:41 PM

SSG Shawn Ireland — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 19:41:28 -0400

I Owen a M1A, M14. The military is using these for many roles but mostly for shooting out the motores on fast boats running drugs. The weapon can be configured in almost any way you please to suit your needs. As for mine I have stripped it down to bare bones and installed a new stock that gives more control in utilizing it as a sniper weapon. With a nice high power scope the range and your experience is the only limits you should notice. This is used as my second weapon as I also carry a M15 and a .45 sidearm! Being out of military service does not prevent me from ragular range time as repetitiveness is the key to hitting what you are aiming to take out. The world events are enough to make certain I keep sharp. It's to llate to start practicing your marksmanship when the SHTF! Be warned and ready, as we are all we have when things turn on us here in country be my brother or sister that is on my side, ready to cover me as I am ready to cover you. We can't afford a bunch of green turtles wetting themselves at the sound of the first rounds coming at us. The day is coming and the government will be to busy to help the likes of you or I. We must be resolved to stand side by side and turn the wave, letting every advisary know we are not going down without taking as many of them down in our first day to overwhelm them and let them know they are dealing with the heavyest armed society in the world. And that we don't only have the weapons but are capable of utilizing them to there full extent. Be warned that you haven't seen anything yet!

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Dec 31 at 2015 12:12 PM

CW3 Kevin Storm — Thu, 31 Dec 2015 12:12:41 -0500

Ruger Gunsite rifle had issues with the coated bolts. My buddy spent a lot of time flitz working it so it was buttery smooth. For a firearm of that expense you should not have to do that. The later SS models seem to be alot smoother.

Response by MAJ Christopher M. made Aug 28 at 2016 9:48 PM

MAJ Christopher M. — Sun, 28 Aug 2016 21:48:26 -0400

I like my MVP in .308. It uses both DPMS and M1A pattern mags. Still playing with Scopes. I also have a Savage that is configured that way. Both Shoot well. I've taken several deer with the Savage.

Response by TSgt Daniel Johnson made Feb 25 at 2017 10:43 PM

TSgt Daniel Johnson — Sat, 25 Feb 2017 22:43:40 -0500

Ruger Gunsite Scout here
Things I Like about it. .308 it a nice cartridge that has enough stopping power to take down almost anything in North America in a nice short package and I love the iron sights on it so much I will forego an optic. Bolt is classic Mauser style very strong and reliable though a bit rough at first as mauser's tended to be until worked. adjustable stock length.

Things I dislike about it. For the type of rifle its meant to be (a jack of all trades master of none) the price point is way to high on new ones, the magazines are expensive too. Got mine second hand it's accuracy is ok for its short barrel length but not great. sighting it in I noticed my front post was off center from the factory. The weight is heavier than Col Coopers concept and with its shorter barrel its a loud beast.