Scout Rifle For Hunting

[Northshore]

I have been thinking of turning one of my Sporterized Swedish Mauser's into a Scout Rifle of sorts mainly for deer hunting.

I would like to get some feedback from members who use a Scout Rifle configuration for hunting. It doesn't have to exactly follow Jeff Cooper's definition of a scout rifle.

I am mostly looking for feedback how it is hunting using a forward mounted long eye relief scope?

How does a forward mounted scope compare to a conventional mounted scope for hunting?

Any other pro's and con's comparisons would be great as well?

 

[todbartell]

2.5x Leupold scout scope on my Ruger 308. Works well, I often carry this rifle when expected distances will be well inside 100 yards. Shot this buck last month at 90 yards.

 

[medvedqc]

i tried the concept and did not like it at all.

 

[RangerPark]

Nice Buck!

Not a scout rifle in it's original configuration but I bagged 3 deer this year with a Remington 7 Kuiu in .308. It has a 16.5" barrel and a 2.5-8x32 Leupold VX-3i. My luckiest rifle this year, 3 deer in 3 outings. I'm looking forward to next season already but I'm weary about breaking the lucky streak...

 

[keith mokry]

I have tried it forward scope but went back to rear position for scope. Didn’t notice much difference and did not give it a long test to see if really liked it or not. Ruger is a nice setup and maybe easier than bubba a rifle into one

 

[chappy]

i hunted this year with a ruger scout 308. changed the forward mount scope for a 2x7 ziess in the conventional rearward position. didn't like the forward mount. would take me a long time to get used to it. but i loved the scout rifle.

 

[Dent2]

Foward mount didnt work that well in low light or glaring sun. The rest of the rifle was decent. Jeff cooper himself stated a foward mounted optic does not make a scout rifle so I think a low power traditional mounted scope still could be called a scout rifle. What's not to like about a short light and handy rifle

 

[TacticalTeacher]

I just love short handy rifles... been competing in Service Rifle matches for (since 1985)... lemme see... I can’t even think. Anyways I do know I can place the booolits where I need to with optics closer to my eyeball and quickly, too.

My hunting rigs all wear 19” or shorter barrels like this .260 Remmy 700 for deer a couple of seasons back....





Hunt with what works for you and your game. I’m just too old to be wandering around with 24” barreled rigs. Carried an FNC1A1 overseas 40 years ago. Sure with I had shorter handier C7 or C8 back then.... ha ha ha ha

Cheers, Barney

 

[madashell]

....

 

[cote_b]

Hunt with a Ruger Scout 308. Love it for a short weatherproof rifle with detachable mags. I run a conventional scope on it though. Not a fan of the forward mounting.

 

[kayaker1]

GSR is a great hunting rifle but like others here I use a conventional scope, VX2 2-7. I removed the rail on mine and fitted a barrel mounted rear sight using the holes for the rail, keeps the BUIS concept.

GSR factory 10 round is too big, I use 3 or 5 round polymer mags.

 

[bluegrizz77]

Mossberg mvp scout .308, i treat it like a red headed stepchild it’s never let me down.

 

[MRP]

1943 8x57 fun to shoot but haven't hunted with it yet. 2to7x35 scope. I like it for quick shooting but not long range 300+ yards, or bench rest.

 

[jlagman]

I'm by no means a skilled hunter, but in my limited experiences thus far, I imagine a scout rifle with a forward mounted optic, is better suited for still hunting in densely forested areas. I haven't had much luck trying to use it as a plains rifle, but again, I'm not a great hunter.

 

[Pepperpopper]

Jeff cooper himself stated a foward mounted optic does not make a scout rifle so I think a low power traditional mounted scope still could be called a scout rifle. What's not to like about a short light and handy rifle

That is a misreading of Cooper, if I may be so bold. When he said a forward mounted optic does not a Scout make, he meant it was a necessary, but insufficient part of the concept. He did say in a few places that iron sights were sorta OK (as well as being part of the backup system on any "true" Scout.

The place where people miss the point with a scout rifle is they see it as a type of rifle that you might use for a sort of something. Cooper, saw it as the all purpose rifle. So when discussions like this come up, people say it's great for the 50-100 yard hunting, or whatever. Cooper rightly believed, you could use it for breaking clays; sniping; scouting; or braining an elephant. But most people are highly specialized, will never kill 3 people in combat, or hunt Africa.

Cooper has been proven right, but in a way that would pain him. It turns out the concept of a light gun with a forward mounted optic is pretty much what the AR-15 has become, in becoming America's rifle. He would probably have been somewhat OK with it if he had had the ARs that are available today.

 

[Pepperpopper]

I have been thinking of turning one of my Sporterized Swedish Mauser's into a Scout Rifle of sorts mainly for deer hunting.

I would like to get some feedback from members who use a Scout Rifle configuration for hunting. It doesn't have to exactly follow Jeff Cooper's definition of a scout rifle.

I am mostly looking for feedback how it is hunting using a forward mounted long eye relief scope?

How does a forward mounted scope compare to a conventional mounted scope for hunting?

Any other pro's and con's comparisons would be great as well?

Even the pared down concept of what a Scout rifle is, is something few people have ever experienced. I have a GSR, but bought it knowing it was nothing like a scout rifle. As far as I can see, most people who bought the GSR did so for the mag set-up which is ridiculous on a real scout, because it is too heavy. The 3 shot plastic mag is OK.

Unless you want to spend a few grand, you probably can't make a decent scout out of your Mauser. Basically you want to hit 6.6 pounds unloaded, but with optics. Cooper could barely do that with his customs, and moved the goalposts to 6.6 pounds, plus optics. Which is too bad, because 6.6 all up is doable.

If you want to make your rifle faster on target, for short range, then some kind of decent red dot is probably better, in part because they are easier to mount close to the bore. Or aperture sights. The Scout scopes come into their own when you want to explore ranges out to 400 yards. Most nimrods these days want an 18 x scope for that. In Canada, the Scout scopes top 400 dollars in decent optics. I managed to get one of each for around 200. Just lucky, not a deal hound most days of the week. I don't understand red dots well enough to spend the big bucks, but I have been happy with some cheapo Bushnell tsr-25s (?).

 

[Pepperpopper]

2.5x Leupold scout scope on my Ruger 308. Works well, I often carry this rifle when expected distances will be well inside 100 yards. Shot this buck last month at 90 yards.

That is a great looking rifle and a great looking deer, so since you win, maybe I can cautiously point out that there are archers who are effective up to 75 yards. Some are even stick bow shooters. You make a perfectly sensible statement about when you use this rifle, but a scout should be fine on game out to 400 yards for those who are OK with the concept.

Of course the guy with one gun concept is hopelessly outdated. The Scout rifle only became a little popular in the gun industry in recent years (thought not enough to make real ones), because it was able to sell people another rifle. The industry would never have backed it if they thought people would take it seriously.

 

[Pepperpopper]

Lastly, I should confess, that as a huge believer in the scout concept, I eventually realized it was not for me. I actually value my hearing... Yeah, one of those. The super short barrels they make them with today, and they exist for that quick reactive shot, both mean the end of too much hearing. I am mostly a bow hunter, like 95%. I love shooting, but when it comes to hunting I will do a set up that allows me time to use ear plugs. With my effective, and normal range extended from 20-30 yards, to 400 yds, I can find a situation where I have time for plugs.

 

[hoytcanon]

I first tried the "Scout" concept in 2005 with a Ruger Frontier, I gave it the old college try, but just could not get used to the forward mounted scope... oh, it worked... I shot several deer with it in that way, but it remained a splinter in my mind, and nagged at me until I caved in and scoped it in the traditional style. Over the years I ended up, as I am want to do, selling my Frontier's in .243 (SS & Blued), .308 (SS & Blued) and .358 (SS), but really regretted that decision. So I went on a "hunt" for the rifles again... I considered and rejected the current Ruger GSR rifle, but rejected it due to personal preferences. In the past couple years I managed to procure a pair of 2005 Ruger M77 Frontier Stainless rifles in 7mm-08 and .358. I love the ergonomics and balance of these rifles. The short barrel makes them a joy to have on your shoulder when moving through the bush... with no barrel "hang-ups." I carried the .358 all year while guiding and took a bear and buck with it (and another bear and buck with my other Ruger M77 .358 carbine). This time around I did not even attempt the forward mount optic, but rather mounted a Leupold VX-3 1.5-5X20 in the conventional location... I don't think the scope ever left 1.5X except at the range when zeroing the scope. The rifle is extremely accurate, but more so it is the consistency of the POI that breeds confidence, no fliers, no stringing. There are many who are fans of magazine fed rifles and for good solid reasons, but I have always preferred hinged floor plates, so this Frontier is near perfect for 95% of my uses.

 

[mark k]

I chopped and Scout scoped a Swede M96 in the 90’s. I found it easy to hit stuff fast. Particularly moving targets. I believe there is merit to the concept. I currently have a .30-06 1903 Springfield pseudo Scout. It’s about 7oz overweight and 2” too long. It still feels good in the hands.