General Purpose or Practical Rifles?

B

blakeyboy

CGN frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
23   0   0
Location
Calgary, AB
So got to thinking along these lines and found this link and video. Like? How would you build yours? Cartridge choice, set up etc. Post pics and discuss away. I see when searching 'practical rifle' all this prs type stuff coming up so sounds like some confusion going on with the terminology, maybe 'general purpose' is the best way and still both subjective descriptions so one would have to describe their interpretation of either I guess?

https://www.luckygunner.com/lounge/rethinking-scout-rifle/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-x7N8hLI2yM

 
Standard rifle short action like a rem or tikka or savage , 20-22” barrel med contour, stiff stock or very light chassis, variable optic like a 2-12 Leupold or equivalent in a standard weight ring.

This should bring you to under 10lbs scoped and will find 1000y targets and 400y big game with no isssue in anything chambered in a .308 cartridge family.

I shoot a Sako black bear in 308 - 10lbs scoped and full mag (which is designed ina way to work well as a bling mag) Add another pound or so for a bipod and cheek bag for target shooting. set up like this with a. 2.5-20 USO illuminated optic. Has irons and a barrel banded sling stud option. It hold under 1 moa with all hunting ammo I have tried so far. Easy to find components. It was my goal in choosing what you have described as a do all rifle.
 
Last edited:
I used to be really into scout rifle as a concept. It was definitely a trend when I started getting more into guns.

After trying scout scopes a bunch I figure out they were not for me.

I like red dots on a bolt rifle. I need to get a combo or double so I have an excuse to do this permanently . Using a shield sight on an RMR ranch I figured out that for me these open reflex style sights further back are the best option. People always have them forward, but I liked mine in the rearward position. Kind of like using the best peep sight imaginable. Wish there was some way to have the more open sights "rain proof" besides the goofy clearly plastic cover that shield sells. I want to try a low power scope with a red dot, but man are they big and heavy.

I've figured out that the appeal of the scout rifle for me was, handy, lightweight and irons/ low power optics combo. This applies to every rifle I own in some sense.
 
I like being able to mount an optic and still have your irons on so no peeps for me.

Think a Tikka with the factory irons they sometimes come with would do it. 22" barrel. Bit long but still practical. Lots of aftermarket magazine options for AICS or whatever if you don't like the factory ones.

Stainless would be as practical as it gets.

6.5 CM, 7mm-08 or I guess 308 Win. Although it would be interesting to ask someone who makes great Tikka bolts like PR Cook of PR Precision "hey make me one with a bolt face for 6.5 Grendel, if you please!" and set back/chamber a Creedmoor barrel but I don't know what mag you'd feed that from! Money would have to be no object as well

o-1c4r86pf0k3c113q13ff11sh1n5jg.jpg



Another option might be a Ruger 77 or Winchester 70 pre 64 if you aren't too worried about the magazine situation...but stainless and tupperware stock with irons just checks so many boxes for me and those cals can do anything needed.
 
Last edited:
Wouldn't a bolt BCL rifle fit that bill? Name your calibre.

Or any 700 footprint receiver, barrel combo of your choosing and an XLR atom magnesium chassis. Would be a lite rifle for sure.

Optic in the 3-9x36 max or if you could find an ultra lite leupold, even better. Possible a 1-10 lvpo scope.
 
conor_90 said:
I used to be really into scout rifle as a concept. It was definitely a trend when I started getting more into guns.

After trying scout scopes a bunch I figure out they were not for me.

I like red dots on a bolt rifle. I need to get a combo or double so I have an excuse to do this permanently . Using a shield sight on an RMR ranch I figured out that for me these open reflex style sights further back are the best option. People always have them forward, but I liked mine in the rearward position. Kind of like using the best peep sight imaginable. Wish there was some way to have the more open sights "rain proof" besides the goofy clearly plastic cover that shield sells. I want to try a low power scope with a red dot, but man are they big and heavy.

I've figured out that the appeal of the scout rifle for me was, handy, lightweight and irons/ low power optics combo. This applies to every rifle I own in some sense.
Click to expand...

No doubt the lpvo’s are pork chops! I’m eyeballing the Trijicon accupoint tr25 1-6x24 with German #4 reticle as it gets reviews that run with top of class and clarity of glass is top one and we know that seems to take more advantage of a given magnification. Itch may have to be scratched.

Also thinking Tikka stainless chopped to 20” with factory five rounders, not sure there’s a stainless bolt gun that can run with it for speed? Area 419 rail is low, I know a guy that can probably skim it to 0 moa and bed it in good maybe up to 8-40’s, and then either henneberger 30mm lows(3.5mm) or Arc m10 x-low rings should land it even lower than Talley x-lows but bounce off mountain zero hold. Should land around 8 lbs. I was super hot for the Ruger Hawkeye until I got this speed thing going on and remembering my previous tikkas. And I had just set up an ultralight Grendel with red dot and shot it very well to 400 quickly too so that’s got me pointed this way also.

I think speed dial turret also available from Kenton as they say they have for the 2.5-12 accupoint and appear same turrets as the 1-6 and 24 moa per rotation would take you way out there for fun time. I do love my 3-9 accupoints a lot, already a doe at 250 and antelope at 200 this season and still after couple more tags, the 9x is nice but 6x of quality will do. And the 1x with that German reticle should be a speedster and lowlight speedster. Wallet get ready, we’re going down another rabbit hole.
 
duncansuds said:
Standard rifle short action like a rem or tikka or savage , 20-22” barrel med contour, stiff stock or very light chassis, variable optic like a 2-12 Leupold or equivalent in a standard weight ring.

This should bring you to under 10lbs scoped and will find 1000y targets and 400y big game with no isssue in anything chambered in a .308 cartridge family.

I shoot a Sako black bear in 308 - 10lbs scoped and full mag (which is designed ina way to work well as a bling mag) Add another pound or so for a bipod and cheek bag for target shooting. set up like this with a. 2.5-20 USO illuminated optic. Has irons and a barrel banded sling stud option. It hold under 1 moa with all hunting ammo I have tried so far. Easy to find components. It was my goal in choosing what you have described as a do all rifle.
Click to expand...

Tikka doesn't make a short action
 
To me general purpose is general purpose. A bolt action rifle, synthetic stock, 22-24” barrel, 8-9lbs scoped, scope sighted, in a cartridge that shoots an 120-300gr bullet 2700-3300 fps. Anything outside of that becomes less general, less practical, and more specialized IMO.
 
I would stay with a pretty standard sporter. I have gravitated more towards a vertical grip on my rifles, both for bench and field work. Flat bottom forearm. QD swivel cups, no swivel studs. Think AG Alpine Hunter.

I massively prefer a floorplate over a DBM configuration. Likely M5-style with a Wyatt box and follower. Steel barrel, medium contour, maybe fluted. Threaded for sure (5/8-24) because why not, but I generally just leave a thread protector on the end. I'd probably finish it at 22" and chamber in .30-06 because I like it a lot for a do-all killstick, I'll take the extra action length/weight over a .308, don't really care if it's a Howa, Rem 700, Win m70 or custom, they all work fine. Triggertech Special or Timney Hit. If it's a Tikka I'll take an alloy "bottom metal" and Mcarbo spring.

No sights needed. Scope-wise my go-to choice would be the NXS 2.5-10x42 for all-round use. Tough as nails, excellent/repeatable turret performance, and optically excellent. One-piece ringmounts (Talley or Hawkins) instead of a rail.
 
Last edited:
blakeyboy said:
No doubt the lpvo’s are pork chops! I’m eyeballing the Trijicon accupoint tr25 1-6x24 with German #4 reticle as it gets reviews that run with top of class and clarity of glass is top one and we know that seems to take more advantage of a given magnification. Itch may have to be scratched.

Also thinking Tikka stainless chopped to 20” with factory five rounders, not sure there’s a stainless bolt gun that can run with it for speed? Area 419 rail is low, I know a guy that can probably skim it to 0 moa and bed it in good maybe up to 8-40’s, and then either henneberger 30mm lows(3.5mm) or Arc m10 x-low rings should land it even lower than Talley x-lows but bounce off mountain zero hold. Should land around 8 lbs. I was super hot for the Ruger Hawkeye until I got this speed thing going on and remembering my previous tikkas. And I had just set up an ultralight Grendel with red dot and shot it very well to 400 quickly too so that’s got me pointed this way also.

I think speed dial turret also available from Kenton as they say they have for the 2.5-12 accupoint and appear same turrets as the 1-6 and 24 moa per rotation would take you way out there for fun time. I do love my 3-9 accupoints a lot, already a doe at 250 and antelope at 200 this season and still after couple more tags, the 9x is nice but 6x of quality will do. And the 1x with that German reticle should be a speedster and lowlight speedster. Wallet get ready, we’re going down another rabbit hole.
Click to expand...

All of the above sounds freaking awesome. Except the wallet part but no choice lol. What chambering would you go with?
 
I’ll go 308 with this one Joel

And high desert aluminum bottom metal with the larger trigger guard.

As for general purpose being a loose subjective for me that will also include ability to mount a light for night duty. I’m in camp now squeezing out a bar of service with cell booster on. Had an absolute unit of a g-bear stroll right into my lease at 80 yards last night with about 30-45 min of light left that gave me some pucker. All my rigs will have the light ability, won’t feel as bad about drilling a rail to tikka stock, if Ruger Hawkeye I would clamp a rail to the scope tube to save the walnut. Prefer light under for end ahead of sling stud though. Tikka triggers are great, likely aim for 2.75 lbs.
 
Those options all look very impressive butttttttt

The best rifle for practical/real use under field conditions are those that have the following qualities.

Light enough to help absorb the recoil of the cartridge of choice

Short enough not to hang up on every branch you pass

Accurate with the cartridges of choice, especially if they are off the shelf, rather than handloaded. Not all factory ammo is equal or shoots well in all rifles.

Above all, it should be within the KISS RULE. Keep the equipment as simple as possible. Bells and whistles may look cool but are mostly useless in the field and add unnecessary weight and things to catch on clothing/surroundings and often inhibit a good shooting stance or make a resting point to aim from less stable.

The rifle in the pic would be borderline IMHO. The stock and extended magazine are only for "cool factor" That front sight and flash eliminator??????? will not enhance the accuracy or anything else.

Not a ''practical" rifle for out in the field for general hunting circumstances.
 
A Tikka with an atlasworks ai bottom metal wildcat stock and one of these rails from skinner would be pretty cool:

Screenshot-20231007-124217-Chrome.jpg


Cheaper to get a ruger scout probably, but mot once you add the mcmillan and xs rail :dancingbanana:
 
conor_90 said:
A Tikka with an atlasworks ai bottom metal wildcat stock and one of these rails from skinner would be pretty cool:

Screenshot-20231007-124217-Chrome.jpg


Cheaper to get a ruger scout probably, but mot once you add the mcmillan and xs rail :dancingbanana:
Click to expand...

That'd be cooler than a Battue...could do the Compact unless you want a stainless rifle.

Their lil 20" was not that bad to shoot in 308
 
I like thinking about this concept!

In reality, a lot of regular hunting rifles fit this role well but the GPR likes to tease rifle nuts with some nuance. Closest I have had was a Ruger GSR with a few mods.

When you list the components it doesn’t sound like anything unusual, but I think other than a general trend towards compactness, it’s the sum of the parts: the weight, balance, handling, pointability, sights etc. that define what we think of as a GPR. In factory form the GSR, Steyr Scout, Sako Black Bear, Ruger Guide Gun, Tikka battue come close for me. My ‘tangible’ attributes:

Stock: probably a good quality synthetic, but I am not opposed to wood. I like the idea a of simple and strong adjustable cheek piece to adapt to different sights options.

Barrel: about 20” is perfect. Definitely no shorter than 18” (unless suppressed), no longer than 22. Nothing unique here but profile will matter for a good balance. I think something around a magnum sporter profile is good, not a tank, but it doesn’t have to be an ultralight profile.

Action: I am not fussy here. I do like less than 90deg bolt lifts, and I like a mod70 style safety. Neither of those two are deal breaker requirements. I could quite happily do with a Tikka, Mod70, Howa, Ruger 77, Sako and others. Short action is preferable.

Magazine: I like a DBM that can also be loaded through the ejection port. Not many offer this – Sauer/ Mauser, Sako, CZ. I like the sound of the AW magazines over AICS for this reason. I have seen a video of a Ruger GSR that was adapted to use AW mags. I know AICS are a solid standardized option but I am not sure why people think they are so amazing, other than popularity and interchangeability. In a perfect world the DBM would have a true flush fit option for carrying, and also an option for extended mags.

Sights: I have tried a scout scope and it’s not for me. Other than freeing the space around the receiver I hated the concept in the field. It think its irrelevant with today’s LPVO’s and red dots. A compact variable or LPVO over the action is better for me. BUIS can be a flip up rear ghost ring or decent barrel mounted sights. They need to be robust, highly visible. They are for 100m and in use IMO. Might never need them but I think they are cool. Being able to switch to a red dot on the rifle mounts would be very cool too.

Calibre/chambering: Somewhere between .264” and .308”. Head stamp is not critical other than ideally it’s a common chambering with abundant ammo, brass, etc. Basically, I think to be a true GPR it needs to be able to send at least a 130gr bullet with an impact velocity of 2000fps at 300-350m. That’s well within the capability of most common cartridges on the 308, x57, or 06 case. .308 is the obvious candidate but 6.5CM, .260, 7mm-08, .308 would all be good enough. If it’s a long action I would be happy with most options on the 06 or x57 case. Bottom end would likely be around 6.5CM, top end no bigger than .30-06 or 8x57.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom