Need some opinions: Scout Rifle
- Thread starter armybuck041
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Yes, that one fills a niche. Here’s mine:
My BLR Takedown uses the same setup. Holds zero and stows nicely for transport.
I prefer regular setups on hunting rifles but agree that the scout setup has its place. I find it’s easy and natural once I adjust.
One thing Cooper thought was important was using low enough power to keep both eyes open and thereby mitigate the FOV limitations of the forward mount.
Here are my Ruger Scouts: top one has a Bushnell Elite 6500 1.25-8x32 with a 30mm tube. It was never marketed as a scout scope but it has 6” of eye relief at low power so it can assume the role. The bottom one has the Burris Scout 2-7x32.
You make a good point — Cooper’s vision shouldn’t be taken as gospel and he stated that the forward mount was in part to allow for backup irons, since he expected scopes to frequently fail or break under “scouting” conditions. That’s not true of today’s scopes. So if the end goal is simply to have a quick, light and handy general purpose rifle, there’s no reason that can’t be achieved with a conventional LPVO.
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Coopers idea for a forward mounted scope was a decent concept for it's time. The idea was so that you could have lots of visibility, it was fast and you could reload with stripper clips. Plus you had magnification to use at longer ranges but not too much magnification as to hinder close engagements.
Now we have LPVO with illuminated red dots and it's easy to find a rifle that uses detachable magazines. A 1-6 or 1-8 illuminated LPVO is far more versatile and far faster than a forward mounted 2.5 scout scope
Your rifle is hot, and it makes me want one every time you post it.
- Location
- Blaster land, Okanagan BC
Prefer scout set-up on my takedown BLR's with scope barrel mounted remains zeroed re-assembled.
Nice, I can see that being a handy setup. Nice and comfortable to carry around as well.
Coopers idea for a forward mounted scope was a decent concept for it's time. The idea was so that you could have lots of visibility, it was fast and you could reload with stripper clips. Plus you had magnification to use at longer ranges but not too much magnification as to hinder close engagements.
Now we have LPVO with illuminated red dots and it's easy to find a rifle that uses detachable magazines. A 1-6 or 1-8 illuminated LPVO is far more versatile and far faster than a forward mounted 2.5 scout scope
Beauti. What rail is that ?
I used tikka battue in 308 for few years, then bought Sig Cross with 16" 308 barrel and not looking back. This thing is super light and ergonomic. I have another dedicated scout with forward mounted scope, but the way cross feels.. totally different.. like you feel the 50+ years of gun evolution 
p.Rundle
CGN frequent flyer
I own a Ruger scout and enjoy it. I would recommend it. No problems even after a BUNCH of rounds, and I'm the third owner. The feed ramp was messed up from someone doing something goofy to it (not me) but I had the weird divets someone put into it removed and it hasn't had an issue.
Here are a few things about the Ruger. I enjoy the action. It's smooth but not buttery. But it's a mauser claw type, and that means something to me. It also uses AI mags, so you can do a lot with that.
It's stainless. The Savages are great, but they will rust, especially in a coastal climate like yours. Stainless is the way to go for SURE. No matter what gun you choose, go stainless.
The rifle isn't a super light-weight one, but you can reduce the weight with smaller mags or even changing the stock. There are a surprising, and pleasant, amount of aftermarket options for the Ruger.
I can't say it's the right choice, but it has many of the right features. Whatever you get, enjoy and have a good time in the bush.
Ensure you get one with a threaded barrel. I don't have this, and I really wish I did. You might think it's totally useless, but attaching a muzzle device is 110% the best way to protect the crown. Taking a tumble is never fun, but you're like me in the bush you do it here and there. Protecting the crown of your gun is a great way to actually save yourself money instead of having to re cut it.
The laminate stock feels built to last. I don't have any issues with plastic stocks, I vastly prefer them over wood. But laminate, while heavy, feels invincible. Probably close to it in reality.
The trigger is nice. Not amazing, but this isn't a target rifle. For what it is it's very, very utilitarian and pleasant. Another option to keep your eye on would be the new Cz 600 series. They are nitrided and that makes for a very weather-resistant gun.
Here are a few things about the Ruger. I enjoy the action. It's smooth but not buttery. But it's a mauser claw type, and that means something to me. It also uses AI mags, so you can do a lot with that.
It's stainless. The Savages are great, but they will rust, especially in a coastal climate like yours. Stainless is the way to go for SURE. No matter what gun you choose, go stainless.
The rifle isn't a super light-weight one, but you can reduce the weight with smaller mags or even changing the stock. There are a surprising, and pleasant, amount of aftermarket options for the Ruger.
I can't say it's the right choice, but it has many of the right features. Whatever you get, enjoy and have a good time in the bush.
Ensure you get one with a threaded barrel. I don't have this, and I really wish I did. You might think it's totally useless, but attaching a muzzle device is 110% the best way to protect the crown. Taking a tumble is never fun, but you're like me in the bush you do it here and there. Protecting the crown of your gun is a great way to actually save yourself money instead of having to re cut it.
The laminate stock feels built to last. I don't have any issues with plastic stocks, I vastly prefer them over wood. But laminate, while heavy, feels invincible. Probably close to it in reality.
The trigger is nice. Not amazing, but this isn't a target rifle. For what it is it's very, very utilitarian and pleasant. Another option to keep your eye on would be the new Cz 600 series. They are nitrided and that makes for a very weather-resistant gun.
I used tikka battue in 308 for few years, then bought Sig Cross with 16" 308 barrel and not looking back. This thing is super light and ergonomic. I have another dedicated scout with forward mounted scope, but the way cross feels.. totally different.. like you feel the 50+ years of gun evolution
I haven't actually even seen a Sig Cross in person but it does seem to be an evolution of the Scout rifle.
I have a Ruger scout in 308 with a vortex 2x7 scout scope and Burris QD rings. I replaced the default birdcage with a SureFire ProComp which I would recommend. I think it is a great all-around rifle if you only had one. (1 rifle...It hurts even typing that The 450 Bushmaster is a great 150 yard round but is pretty average after that IMO. The only reason I would go with that round is if your WMU requires it for deer hunting. I reload and the flexibility of the 308 cartridge is awesome. I load 110gr all the way up to 185gr.
The 450 Bushmaster is a great 150 yard round but is pretty average after that IMO. The only reason I would go with that round is if your WMU requires it for deer hunting. I reload and the flexibility of the 308 cartridge is awesome. I load 110gr all the way up to 185gr.
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I have a Ruger scout in 308 with a vortex 2x7 scout scope and Burris QD rings. I replaced the default birdcage with a SureFire ProComp which I would recommend. I think it is a great all-around rifle if you only had one. (1 rifle...It hurts even typing that
Thanks for the notes fellas.
I've found a stainless Ruger GSR on a polymer stock in .450BM. I agonized a bit about the cartridge, but honestly, New Brunswick is ~100 meter country and the 450 is perfect for all of the big game I can expect to hunt. Seems like a very easy round to reload.
Very cool - Did you pull the trigger? There's also the Ruger American Ranch in the same chambering. Not strictly a scout rifle, but probably better for pure hunting.
I like the cartridge very much. In theory at least! For a handloader and ranges of 100m and in I think it's a no-brainer.
I like the cartridge very much. In theory at least! For a handloader and ranges of 100m and in I think it's a no-brainer.
Coopers idea for a forward mounted scope was a decent concept for it's time. The idea was so that you could have lots of visibility, it was fast and you could reload with stripper clips. Plus you had magnification to use at longer ranges but not too much magnification as to hinder close engagements.
Now we have LPVO with illuminated red dots and it's easy to find a rifle that uses detachable magazines. A 1-6 or 1-8 illuminated LPVO is far more versatile and far faster than a forward mounted 2.5 scout scope
nice stock on the scout. did you paint it yourself? if so, nice job. if not, where did you get it from? thank you
In that price point, look around for a used Remington 600/660 in .308 Use the rest of the money for good glass.
The Remington 600 was the rife Col. Jeff Cooper used to design his Scout rifle. He wrote lots about these.
Short, compact, a bit heavy but lighter than the Ruger Gunsite Scout. The 600/660 Already has good factory open sights.
JC #5 are great too, but only out to 300 yards then they wander a bit. I use mine for a hiking rifle in grizz country.
The Remington 600 was the rife Col. Jeff Cooper used to design his Scout rifle. He wrote lots about these.
Short, compact, a bit heavy but lighter than the Ruger Gunsite Scout. The 600/660 Already has good factory open sights.
JC #5 are great too, but only out to 300 yards then they wander a bit. I use mine for a hiking rifle in grizz country.
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One thing to consider, when using a forward mounted scope, if the sun is behind you it reflects on your scope lens so that you can't see your target! This is from actual experience. Also, mounting a scope solidly on a Lee Enfield can be a problem, especially with a no drill mount.
I’ve long been enamoured with the concept but I have never followed through with a build. I do love this rifle on the Scout Rifle forum though:
I have PH sporterized No.4 that would be a good candidate. I wonder how much it would cost to have sight mounts installed similar to his.
That rifle is cousin bongo’s from the scout rifle forum.
Buy the largest inside diameter xs sights scout mount (1.06” if I recall), and turn down the barrel a couple thousandths to fit and put the two set screws and glass into place. Requires some gunsmithing, but it’s low and bomb proof.
XS used to make an enfield mount but lost the die. So you gotta adapt for the Mauser mount unless you could luck into the enfield one on the used market.
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