Ruger Scout (or other 18inchers) loud?

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lonely_wolf

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I've been wondering this for awhile. Are the 18” 308's louder than their longer kin?

I've shot a lot of 20” 308 bolt guns and I think they're pretty average when it comes to 'loudness.' A friend of mine typically shoots longer rifles (24-26”) and always comments that my rifle is loud. As I said, I don't hear any difference.

Now I know this is the subjective kind of thing, but how do these Ruger Scouts sound? Anyone have experience shooting 20” 308's as well to compare?
 
I've got a Ruger 77 RLS in .30-06 and an M14 both with 18.5" barrels and I can't tell any difference between them and similar cartridges fired from longer barrel.
 
I use to hunt with my father's Remington model 7 in. 308 that had an 18" barrel. I can't recall it being louder that the 300wsm that I shoot now. Muzzle jump was more and in lower light the flame was more than my 300, but again I don't recall it to be abnormally loud. Having said that, when I told my uncle (an old military marksman) that I had ordered the new Ruger Scout rifle and mentioned it had an 18" barrel, he commented that it will surely will "crack" my ears. I think scientific analysis might confirm that its louder but for the average person its probably not that noticeable, and certainly not noticeable compared to your 20" barrel.

On a side note, I've got a cousin with both a .308 with an 18" barrel and a 300wsm with a 24" barrel and he claims the. 308 kick harder. I will do my own "research" when I get my ruger because I also down think my 300wsm kicks much.

Just my 2 cents...
 
I've got a Ruger compact in 308 with a 16" barrel and I can't say it is louder than my 308 target rifle with a 27" barrel. I'm sure it is but not that I can tell the difference when I'm shooting it.
 
(remington) mohawk 600 308 with an 18.5 inch barrell, kicks hard, is louder than a longer barrelled 308, and at dusk you get a nice flash from the barrell. Great bush carbine, 6lbs.
 
lonely_wolf said:
I've been wondering this for awhile. Are the 18” 308's louder than their longer kin?

I've shot a lot of 20” 308 bolt guns and I think they're pretty average when it comes to 'loudness.' A friend of mine typically shoots longer rifles (24-26”) and always comments that my rifle is loud. As I said, I don't hear any difference.

Now I know this is the subjective kind of thing, but how do these Ruger Scouts sound? Anyone have experience shooting 20” 308's as well to compare?
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Just out of curiosity, why does it matter?
 
I think that when you're behind the rifle, you won't notice too much of a difference. It's the guys to the side that will catch the "earful".

I personally love shorter barreled rifles as they're much easier to maneuver in the thick brush that I hunt in.
 
mmatt said:
I think that when you're behind the rifle, you won't notice too much of a difference. It's the guys to the side that will catch the "earful".

I personally love shorter barreled rifles as they're much easier to maneuver in the thick brush that I hunt in.
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I second that. Well said.
 
mine jsut showed up this morning,

i will let you know how loud it is when i get to the range this weekend

excited.

this is by far the most handy large caliber weapon i have ever put my mitts on
 
lonely_wolf said:
Doesn't really.
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Just my opion here, not trying to offend but, I think you are doing what a lot of people do when it comes to gun purchases and that is OVER THINKING IT ALL.

I bought a scout rifle because it is everything I really want in a rifle for MY area and MY type of hunting. Short to medium range deer hunting in lots of dense wooded area, some dried up ponds with some chances to take shots up to 200 yards but 90% of shots are in the 60 to 150 yard range.

I love the iron sites and the ability to throw a wide variety of optics if needed.

The shorter barrel might kick a bit or might be a little louder but who cares! At the range, where most of my shot will take place (ie yearly sighting in and occational blowing off steam), I will be wearing ear protection and who cares about the kick of a .308 it is a non-issue. During the hunt, which I typically average 1 shot per game, (all hunters should thrive for) the noise factor is a non-issue.

I have a 300wsm that I shot a few boxes at the range to sight in the new scope then to try out a new trigger. When I finally used it for my first hunt 2 years ago, I took the shot, the buck dropped at 177 yards, then I realized it was the first time I had shot the gun without ear protectors! It didn't seem loud at all. Why is that? Cause' it's hunting! And, believe or not the recoil and bark of a rifle doesn't usually affect you when your hunting because your adrenaline and excitment of the hunt makes you focus on the game and not all the crap that many people worry and overthink before buying a gun. Seriously!

Again, just my 2 cents.
 
true aikido, another thing to think about that at a range (at least my range) you are shooting in an semi enclosed area. The sound bounces back and is very loud. My sks is really loud in there.

Once you get into the woods, one shot in open air will not hurt your ears too much.
 
aikidoforever said:
Just my opion here, not trying to offend but, I think you are doing what a lot of people do when it comes to gun purchases and that is OVER THINKING IT ALL.
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I'm not planning on buying anything. I'm just curious.

I know Remington has offered different rifles over the years with short barrels and they never took off. I figured because people found them too loud. I think my twenty is fine and LTR's are pretty popular. I was generally curious if that extra one or two inches really changed things.

I picked the Scout because it is popular.

Congratulations on the new rifle Bananatole. Please let me know your thoughts.
 
lonely_wolf said:
I'm not planning on buying anything. I'm just curious.

I know Remington has offered different rifles over the years with short barrels and they never took off. I figured because people found them too loud. I think my twenty is fine and LTR's are pretty popular. I was generally curious if that extra one or two inches really changed things.

I picked the Scout because it is popular.

Congratulations on the new rifle Bananatole. Please let me know your thoughts.
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You know what curiosity did to the cat right? LOL. I get it. Hope you got the info you were looking for...

Cheers :cheers:
 
aikidoforever said:
You know what curiosity did to the cat right? LOL. I get it. Hope you got the info you were looking for...

Cheers :cheers:
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Are you trying to curse me with another gun purchase? :mad: :D

You mentioned you also have a scout on the way in an earlier post. Please, let me know what you think.
 
lonely_wolf said:
Are you trying to curse me with another gun purchase? :mad: :D

You mentioned you also have a scout on the way in an earlier post. Please, let me know what you think.
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Another gun is never a curse... unless your wife finds out! And yes, the scout is on its way... but its a special one... a lefty! :cool:

I will report back once I get it.

:cheers:
 
My little Lee Enfield No.5 is noisier than a standard No.4 with its longer barrel. The muzzle flash is outstanding. I have damaged hearing that I'm sure came in large part due from shooting a lot of shotgun as a kid and centerfire before we smartened up. If your younger and have good hearing wear ear plugs for every shot whenever possible.
 
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