Ruger Scout 308 vs 450 - Deer Rifle

D

-Doug-

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I’ve been eying out the Ruger scout for awhile now (couple years) but haven’t convinced myself to pick one up (wish I did 5 years ago based on prices now!).

I want the 16” barrel version but I’m debating between 450BM and 308.
My plan would be to put a 1.75-5x scope on it in a traditional scope fashion (not forward mounted).

It would be a deer rifle for in bush shooting 100 yards and in.
I do a lot of walking which is why I like the idea of the short compact scout rifle.

I don’t care about the 10round mags for the 308, I’d likely be looking for a 5rd for hunting so it doesn’t stick out as much.

Below are my thoughts on why either the 450 or 308 would be preferred:

308:
-already have ammo
-ammo is cheaper
-ammo is easier to find and more options
-maybe more accurate (less drop to worry about) if I had the chance to poke out a bit

450:
-bigger hole and harder smack within 100 yards
-might be a little better for thicker bush (brush deflection)


Curious what your thoughts are and if you have any experience with either.
I know there is a sticky on the gun scout so I’ll be reading that as well.
 
I had a 308 version that I regret selling. Looking at your pros and cons the 308 is the way to go. In your pros for the 450 I would strike off the brush deflection. In my opinion that’s a wives tail. Your ammo for the .308 is going to be way cheaper and the 308 offers huge versatility in bullet weights 125gr-200+ grains depending on barrel twist and magazine room.
 
I used a Win Model 70 in 308 that I bought new in 1976. Our son has it now. Many dozens head of White Tail and Mule deer taken with it - 165 Speer HotCor - chronograph right around 2800 fps as per Speer and Nosler reloading manuals. Also both I, and then 30 years later, our son, got first elk with that rifle. My Dad used 30-06 factory loads - since 1948 - I think he was astounded that his factory 30-06 rounds in his 22" barrel was less than my hand loads in 308 Win, also with a 22" barrel.

After our son left home after University, - he ended up with that 308 Win - I got a Ruger No. 1 in 7x57 - turns out a "single shot" is about no handicap, at all, for taking deer, in my opinion. Having a second or possibly third round on board might be "handy" - but idea of 10 round mag needed for deer hunting is a bit over rated, in my opinion. We did most of our deer hunting in various places in Central and Southern Saskatchewan - "pushing bush", walking coulees, etc. I have no experience with the other cartridge that you mention, but so far as I think, a 308 Win about perfect for hunting deer - and antelope, moose, etc. Or get a 303 British, or 270 Win, or 30-06, or 7mm Rem Mag, or 7x57 - they will all work just fine.

I am not so sure about that "short" barrel idea - I suspect you will get much more muzzle blast - may or may not be an issue for you. My 338 Win Mag has a 24" barrel - I carried that thing for days and miles, many times, in swamps and bush near Hudson Bay, Sask. - I can not say that the "long" barrel was a problem, at all.
 
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Potashminer said:
I used a Win Model 70 in 308 that I bought new in 1976. Our son has it now. Many dozens head of White Tail and Mule deer taken with it - 165 Speer HotCor - chronograph right around 2800 fps as per Speer and Nosler reloading manuals. Also both I, and then 30 years later, our son, got first elk with that rifle. My Dad used 30-06 factory loads - since 1948 - I think he was astounded that his factory 30-06 rounds in his 22" barrel was less than my hand loads in 308 Win, also with a 22" barrel.

After our son left home after University, - he ended up with that 308 Win - I got a Ruger No. 1 in 7x57 - turns out a "single shot" is about no handicap, at all, for taking deer, in my opinion. Having a second or possibly third round on board might be "handy" - but idea of 10 round mag needed for deer hunting is a bit over rated, in my opinion. We did most of our deer hunting in various places in Central and Southern Saskatchewan - "pushing bush", walking coulees, etc. I have no experience with the other cartridge that you mention, but so far as I think, a 308 Win about perfect for hunting deer - and antelope, moose, etc. Or get a 303 British, or 270 Win, or 30-06, or 7mm Rem Mag, or 7x57 - they will all work just fine.
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Jealous of that No.1, that's the exact configuration I'd like to get one in, I assume it's a A/light sporter model? A .308 would be pretty fine too. or 7-08, etc. Those light sporters are not that easy to find right now.

As for the OP's question re: .308 vs. the 450BM, I personally like the versatility of the .308 better, though I will say my Ruger GSR sits in the safe and my .308 T3X Superlite is the one I carry hunting everytime when I want a .308.
 
Iron Sighted said:
Jealous of that No.1, that's the exact configuration I'd like to get one in, I assume it's a A/light sporter model? A .308 would be pretty fine too. or 7-08, etc. Those light sporters are not that easy to find right now.

As for the OP's question re: .308 vs. the 450BM, I personally like the versatility of the .308 better, though I will say my Ruger GSR sits in the safe and my .308 T3X Superlite is the one I carry hunting everytime when I want a .308.
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Yes - that Ruger No. 1 was a 1A - I bought it new in early 2004 and sold it in mid 2015 - last that I heard, it is still taking deer in Southern Saskatchewan coulees. The replacement for that one is also a 7x57 - Husqvarna Model 4100 - likely from the 1950's. Was "fun" to find mounts for the 26 mm diameter body scope that it wears.
 
For a walking 308 rifle I'd go with a Tikka. Lighter, handier and not a 16 " barrel. That's just me. 20" is way handy.

With that in mind my choice in these two options is 450 lol. I'd commit to handloading tho but then I do that either way.

As long as you're within the limitations of the 450s range tho neither of em will kill quicker/diffrently
 
I have a savage 116 in 308 which I don’t like carrying due to weight and length.
The idea of a compact rifle is appealing.

I have yet to hold a gun scout so that will be my first step to see if the feel is even something I like.
The ruger ranch 308 is nice and compact however it feels cheap.
 
My understanding of the 450BM creation is that some states have a special hunting season for straight wall cartridges (I may have it slightly off, but the point is they can't use tempered cartridge. Manufactures took the opportunity to offer "new" straight wall for better performance. Still 308 performs better.

Summary, I'd go 308 for the reasons others have listed.

Nothing wrong with the ruger scout, but I don't think it is exactly the light handy rifle we wish to think it is. Manufactures listed weight for a ruger scout is 7lbs, tikka T3X is about 6lbs, and that is with a 4" shorter barrel.
 
Tred said:
Nothing wrong with the ruger scout, but I don't think it is exactly the light handy rifle we wish to think it is. Manufactures listed weight for a ruger scout is 7lbs, tikka T3X is about 6lbs, and that is with a 4" shorter barrel.
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I have both a T3X Battue in 30-06 and a Ruger Polymer stocked Scout...both are 6 1/4 lbs scaled, but I can tell you with absolute certainty the GSR is the rifle that points quicker and feels lighter.

"Not the light handy rifle we wish it is" seriously???. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and what you have with the Ruger GSR is simply a modern day Enfield No.5 "Jungle Carbine" the literal definition of light and handy except in stainless, chambered in a modern cartridge with a 16" barrel that matches the ballistics of the 19" one on the No.5
One is charged by cheap and plentiful AI pattern magazines in capacities ranging from 3rds to 20rds, the other is designed to be married to it's issued magazine and charged via clip.
 
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Sun_and_Steel_77 said:
I have both a T3X Battue in 30-06 and a Ruger Polymer stocked Scout...both are 6 1/4 lbs scaled, but I can tell you with absolute certainty the GSR is the rifle that points quicker and feels lighter.

"Not the light handy rifle we wish it is" seriously???. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and what you have with the Ruger GSR is simply a modern day Enfield No.5 "Jungle Carbine" the literal definition of light and handy except in stainless, chambered in a modern cartridge with a 16" barrel that matches the ballistics of the 19" one on the No.5
One is charged by cheap and plentiful AI pattern magazines in capacities ranging from 3rds to 20rds, the other is designed to be married to it's issued magazine and charged via clip.
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Aye, now the poly stocked one is a different beast entirely.

For "308 performs better"...considering intended purpose of the rifle I'll call it a wash. Probs not a lot of difference in results at all until you get to double the range the OP wants to use it at.
 
If you don't want to forward mount the scope (which looks like it would mean removing the rear sight and not having irons?) and you don't care about the higher capacity magazines what draws you to the Scout? Seems those are the primary features that make it desirable? You say you walk a lot, have you looked at the weight of these? Ruger lists it at 7.1lb, not the heaviest gun but not exactly light either.

I'd go 308. It's just a more useful cartridge imo. 450 has neither the sectional density nor the velocity I look for in a big game cartridge though. When discussions get into moderate velocity and bigger bores my mind goes to lever gun calibers - 444 Marlin has been on my mind a lot lately for some reason...
 
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Well, obviously, the .308 is far more versatile and capable than the .450...and since these threads always seem to place a huge emphasis on such things, as though the gun in question is the only centerfire rifle the poster will ever own, the .308 is the answer. Buying a one-gun-for-all rifle, assuming that you will never shoot at anything over 100 yards away and thus limiting yourself by a novelty cartridge choice, is just dumb.

But personally I'd go with the .450 simply because, like many others on CGN, I have multiple rifles in .308 and other versatile chamberings; why the hell would I want yet another one? The .450 would be new and interesting and unique and specialized, so if I actually wanted to buy...highly unlikely!...a Ruger Scout, the .450 would get the nod. I like the scout rifle concept, but IMHO about the only thing appealing about the Ruger version is the fact that it can be had in .450!
 
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