BattleRifleG3
08-03-2005, 04:38 AM
I've been looking into a scout type rifle for basic use shooting with reasonable accuracy with maximum versatility. Read an article about Jeff Cooper's specs on the scout rifle, specifically a minimum weight bolt action with a short but not exactly carbine barrel, a low power (2-3x) scope mounted ahead of the action, backup flip up iron sites, capability of basic decent accuracy, and chambered in a full power short action cartridge, ie 308, 260, 7-08, etc. I think a bipod was required too.
Well I'm not exactly a disciple of Jeff Cooper, but he had a few points. My thoughts on the kind of scout rifle I'd want would be:
Something with a standard weight barrel chambered in 308; I'm not a carbine fanatic, heck I like the long guns, so 20-22" on a bolt gun is a happy length for me on a gun intended to be short. 308 is really the obvious best choice, due to ammo availability and affordability in its many varieties. A box of match 308 costs under half as much as basic hunting ammo for my 300 RUM.
I'd want something more like 4x on the scope, and not putting it far ahead of the action, just with the rear lens clearing the mag well so I can insert rounds freely.
For open sites, I'd rather have a site at the rear of the receiver and a standard front site, with a see-thru groove in the scope mount or rings to allow use of the irons.
I'd like a basic, comfortable, and durable synthetic stock. Remington 700 ADL comes to mind.
Detachable magazine would be nice, but it really should load from the top too. Of course an M14 mag or other military mag conversion would be SWEET, but not really necessary. An extended fixed mag would be another option. A stripper clip feeding attachment would be nice as well.
Basic round bolt handle - nothing funky or long. I hate putting torque on a bolt just sending it forward.
Smooth feeding - Savage is great and accurate, but just feels a little shaky and rough for a scout rifle. A shame too, because they had a scout rifle version out for a while. I particularly like my 111G in 300 RUM. Remington 700 ADL really feels right for this if I could come up with the right scope mount and receiver site. Rugers and Winchesters feel good too. Might look into Howa/Wby Vanguards too. But I'd really like open sites. Course I'd take the the rear one off anyway, so perhaps it's not such a big deal to come with them to begin with.
So that's what's on my mind for a scout rifle. What do you guys think of this setup and the idea of scout rifles in general? I think it would be great for basic target shooting, western PA hunting, and frankly as much as I love my semi-autos, in an emergency situation it's most likely we'd have to take one or two well aimed shots to protect our homes and families, and this would be reasonably light, reliable, and accurate.
I'm not a fan of the Steyr Scout myself, think it looks terrible, and I really don't like the lightweight barrel. Standard is my cup of tea.
Well I'm not exactly a disciple of Jeff Cooper, but he had a few points. My thoughts on the kind of scout rifle I'd want would be:
Something with a standard weight barrel chambered in 308; I'm not a carbine fanatic, heck I like the long guns, so 20-22" on a bolt gun is a happy length for me on a gun intended to be short. 308 is really the obvious best choice, due to ammo availability and affordability in its many varieties. A box of match 308 costs under half as much as basic hunting ammo for my 300 RUM.
I'd want something more like 4x on the scope, and not putting it far ahead of the action, just with the rear lens clearing the mag well so I can insert rounds freely.
For open sites, I'd rather have a site at the rear of the receiver and a standard front site, with a see-thru groove in the scope mount or rings to allow use of the irons.
I'd like a basic, comfortable, and durable synthetic stock. Remington 700 ADL comes to mind.
Detachable magazine would be nice, but it really should load from the top too. Of course an M14 mag or other military mag conversion would be SWEET, but not really necessary. An extended fixed mag would be another option. A stripper clip feeding attachment would be nice as well.
Basic round bolt handle - nothing funky or long. I hate putting torque on a bolt just sending it forward.
Smooth feeding - Savage is great and accurate, but just feels a little shaky and rough for a scout rifle. A shame too, because they had a scout rifle version out for a while. I particularly like my 111G in 300 RUM. Remington 700 ADL really feels right for this if I could come up with the right scope mount and receiver site. Rugers and Winchesters feel good too. Might look into Howa/Wby Vanguards too. But I'd really like open sites. Course I'd take the the rear one off anyway, so perhaps it's not such a big deal to come with them to begin with.
So that's what's on my mind for a scout rifle. What do you guys think of this setup and the idea of scout rifles in general? I think it would be great for basic target shooting, western PA hunting, and frankly as much as I love my semi-autos, in an emergency situation it's most likely we'd have to take one or two well aimed shots to protect our homes and families, and this would be reasonably light, reliable, and accurate.
I'm not a fan of the Steyr Scout myself, think it looks terrible, and I really don't like the lightweight barrel. Standard is my cup of tea.