Dilemma: M14 Shorty or Ruger Scout

Red Herring

Red Herring

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Can only afford one.

Looking for an all rounder that can do everything from range and bush duty to EOTW. For the price of the Scout, I could get a nicely tuned M14 shorty from the EE. Two quite different rifles, one common mission.

Feed back and opinions appreciated!
 
I've owned several M14-type rifles ( including a nice M14Doc shorty ) and think most will steer you in that direction. While there is no doubt the M14 shorty will be 'cooler', I would counsel the Ruger unless fast second/third shorts are important to you. My rationale would be (a) reliability of the bolt gun over the shorty and (b) the ease of scope mounting - whilst a M14 can be scoped, the platform was not designed with a scope in mind and as such there are inherent challenges to mounting scopes on M14's and retaining 100% zero reliability.
 
Does Ruger Scout Rifle need a clinic to make it shoot properly? LOL

Bolt action over semi ALWAYS.

If you want the headache of modifying everything on the M14 like other users do, then go for it as there are millions of parts available.

If I buy an M14 ever, it will ONLY be a Springfield M1A so I know it is PERFECT out of the box.

I've shot a few norinco's and inspected lots of different M305/M14's in stores and just been plain disgusted with them, an yes I've fired a Springfield M1A before.

Just my personal opinion.
 
If it was down to bolt or semi for all around use I'd say bolt. The bolt your considering isn't cheap though. Here's my vote, buy an M-305 and a used Savage package rifle. You could buy both used in great shape for the same price or maybe even less than the Ruger. I think you might find the two bolt guns even as far as accuracy goes. The Savage has the added benefit of being easly upgraded/altered. It would have close to the same options for aftermarket stocks etc. as a Remington 700 and easy barrel swaps due to barrel nut and floating bolt.

As far as the last comments go about M-305's. If you buy a rifle that has no defects no moding is required. I've owned two and had no problems. You get what you pay for in general. In the case of my Norinco's I scored big time. Just make sure you give them a good look before you throw down your cash.
 
I have both. Get the Ruger. It is light, fast pointing, accurate, comfortable.

I can keep throwing positive adjectives but I think you get my point. Nice scout mount scope or red dot and you have a great hunting gun. Mount a regular scope and you have a great mid range gun( 400 yards). Check out the videos on the gunsite scout. You will be a convert.
 
If your only getting one, get the Ruger.

I know it's expensive, but consider the Steyr Scout if you have the funds. Although very few people seem to have them, it is a truly awesome all around rifle.
 
You'll probably end up with both eventually....Lot's of m305s on the EE maybe start with the Ruger if you've got the cash and then keep an eye out for a good deal on a 305 when you've saved up some more cash.
 
TexasGunner said:
Please tell me that was meant to be a joke.
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No joke at all.

When I looked at those rifles and saw all the burrs, rough casting marks/ect I was just plain disgusted.

I understand why some peoples rifles just screw right up on them given how poorly made it was.

I've handled a Scout Rifle in store......that I was really really impressed with, not a rough edge anywhere on it!

Pretty much Rolls Royce vs a prisoner at gun point being poked over and over being told go faster, that sums up the world of difference in first impressions on these rifles.


Yes I am an extremely picky person, I will and have go through 20 rifles or more just to find one that I approve of.

I did it with my Grizzly 12.5, did it with Norinco SKS's, did it with M305s as well and ended up buying an SVT-40 instead cause they were all junk in my eyes.
 
Grove said:
No joke at all.

When I looked at those rifles and saw all the burrs, rough casting marks/ect I was just plain disgusted.

I understand why some peoples rifles just screw right up on them given how poorly made it was.

I've handled a Scout Rifle in store......that I was really really impressed with, not a rough edge anywhere on it!
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Not questioning the "roughness" of the Noricos. Agree with you there, but there are many documented problems with the Springfield M1A's. If you want an M14 clone that is "PERFECT", you'll have to pony up the cash for an LRB.
 
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TexasGunner said:
Not questioning the "roughness" of the Noricos. Agree with you there, but there are many documented problems with the Springfield M1A's. If you want an M14 clone that is "PERFECT", you'll have to pony up the cash for an LRB.
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unless we get off our collective asses and get the real things DEPROHIBITED
as far as the m1as go, they've had their problems out of the box too,- out of spec receivers, soft bolts, and some real dillies- it's just that springfield has better q/c than the chinese; these never leave the factory, but are returned and go 'round again
i've got 3 safe queens that are in need of some exercise
as far as the op goes, chances are you're best off with the bolt- the semi is not for those who are not patient
 
t-star said:
no, it's i like having a BIG GUN- and i'm 5'8" as well
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I was told my 4 inch barrel didn't apply for a 12.6, damn CFO :(

7-2.jpg
 
I get around the M1A QC issues by building my own... whoops, I got the M14 clinic dudes to build it FOR me! :D

Yes, the LRB sure trumps all the QC issues everywhere! I gotta quit eating, that's the only way I can afford one now!

:cheers:

Barney
 
Hungry said:
I get around the M1A QC issues by building my own... whoops, I got the M14 clinic dudes to build it FOR me! :D

Yes, the LRB sure trumps all the QC issues everywhere! I gotta quit eating, that's the only way I can afford one now!

:cheers:

Barney
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mac and cheese is CHEAPER by the case, and cheaper still if you buy the OFF BRANDS- if you do it right, ham is cheaper than baloney as well- make your own bread, and with the odd squirrel and jack rabbit, you're away
 
If you can afford a Ruger Scout rifle, you can afford TWO M305s...and yer #### won't fall off...[I have been told this on good authority...].

I have both and I'd have to say that for serious shooting, the Ruger is the way to go. The Norinco is a ton of fun to shoot and tinker with but it will rarely be as accurate as a decent bolt gun. And, when you come right down to it, a ten-round bolt gun isn't all that slower than _aimed fire_ from a five-round semi-auto...assuming that matters to you.

But the Norinco is not expensive...it doesn't cost that much more than a good scope for your Ruger, if that's the way you want to go.
 
OP, are you looking for a semi-auto or a bolt action rifle?

I have a Norc M305 that's been tuned and chopped by M14Doctor, and it's a great rifle. I had it chopped BEFORE CanAm brought in shorty M305's (dangit!! :D) and use it as a bush-pushing rifle with a 4x scope on it. It's nice and handy, and I really like the semi-auto since "there's bears in them thar woods" and really don't want to be shat out a bear's ass because I wandered between a sow and her cubs while out deer hunting.
 
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