True enough, but the scout rifle was Cooper's idea of a general purpose rifle. Handy, light for easy carrying, in a powerful enough cartridge to kill man or beast. - dan
General Purpose or Practical Rifles?
- Thread starter blakeyboy
- Start date
True enough, but the scout rifle was Cooper's idea of a general purpose rifle. Handy, light for easy carrying, in a powerful enough cartridge to kill man or beast. - dan
I agree - But that was for Cooper's idea of a "scout" application, and in his context. It's a useful framework for discussing rifle features, but doesn't generalize across the world (or even across North America).
Depends what you're hunting, I would think. - dan
exactly, that's what I was hoping for this thread as that is currently my interest of direction, and my own subjective thoughts on what general purpose needs to be from man to beast, day or night, muzzle to 500 type thing...so yes...lets keep going folks, for many they don't need to apply as they may not be trying to find max versatility/efficiency for max possibilities...but for those who do and have contemplated this and built rigs for this...post them thoughts, post them pics, and discuss those ideas
good point and MIG25 could have called me out for trying to discuss this in the 'hunting and sporting arms' section, he probably had the chamber loaded on it
all good, I tend to stick to only a few categories of interest and just post there but there really could be a better section for this thread? my bad if so...mods...feel free to move if needed and let me know where as a creature of habit it will be hard to click into a new sub forum, I guess the most heavily weighted reason for the rifle design though may be hunting so maybe it's in the right place?, even if it's only 51/49?
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you know it, those browning bar's, shortracs and fnar versions definitely get some looks when thinking along these lines, too bad you can have a 10 shot bolt but only a 5 shot semi mag option is this prison
also a good point, the term is so dang subjective that one needs to lead the way with their own interpretation of what general purpose means to them
Updating the basic scout rifle concept for the current day in the Canadian context, sounds good. We're all generally familiar with Cooper's scout concept, but I think it's fair to say we can drop most of the oddball features he thought were necessary. Of course, consider any of those individual features for inclusion on this rifle if you like.
I'm going to call it the Canadian general purpose rifle, or "CGPR" from now on. Maybe it will catch on.
I think we have to start at square one. What are the targets? At what ranges? What kind of mobility needs? What other necessary features?
Targets: Most will agree the CGPR needs to be able to cleanly take deer and black bear. Beyond that, though, does it really need the capacity for elk/moose/grizzly? For me, the answer is yes, but there is an argument that it doesn't.
Ranges: If you say 500yds, then you're really stretching a lot of cartridges (and a lot of optics). I really don't think the CGPR needs that capacity. Cooper's idea of 300yds seems solid to me. Equally important, what's the minimum shooting distance, and what kind of shooting? If it's anything other than traditional hunting, if you're inside 50yds, you might want a 1x optic or iron sights available without removing the magnified optic (or an LPVO, I guess).
Ranges: If you say 500yds, then you're really stretching a lot of cartridges (and a lot of optics). I really don't think the CGPR needs that capacity. Cooper's idea of 300yds seems solid to me. Equally important, what's the minimum shooting distance, and what kind of shooting? If it's anything other than traditional hunting, if you're inside 50yds, you might want a 1x optic or iron sights available without removing the magnified optic (or an LPVO, I guess).
Exactly, or several things needing holes or one thing needing as many holes as possible and as fast as possible lol
You're looking for a 500 yard Elk Rifle suitable for engaging multiple Grizzly Bears in your camp at night.
The value of rapidity of Fire has been known since the Greasy Grass and Plevna. Unfortunately we are severely constrained in this Country.
The best choices given your criteria are probably the BAR or the 760, Geologist is one of the more sensible members on here and his choice is excellent except I disagree with the cartridge, the 308 is the 303 British's and 300 Savage's ghey younger brother, the only reason to choose it over the 30-06 is if you want a Savage 99, and of course both the BAR and 760 are available in 30-06 and 270.
No sensible person can argue that a Bolt Action is even close in speed to an Autoloader or Pump.
In bolt actions the Lee Enfield #5 Jungle Carbine or the Steyr M95 are top choices. Fast bolt actions, 10 rounds of 150 grainers at 2600fps for the 303, or fast reloads (the Mannlicher System is excellent) with a 200 grainer at 2400fps for the M95. Both have a mount that a light could be attached to. Put a green light and a red dot and you're all set.
Now guys that have never seen an Elk or a Grizzly are going to say that some pot metal and plastic rifle with a bunch of janky sh*t hanging off it and won't even fit in a Saddle Scabbard is a better choice.
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If it wasn’t likely to be prohibited soon, I’d love to make a Valmet 78 based .308 scout / utility rifle. Only one rail, for a light.
Too pricey of a rifle to customize into a safe weight unfortunately.
Too pricey of a rifle to customize into a safe weight unfortunately.
