The (almost) Scout Rifle: Ruger M77 MKII Frontier (pics)

[skorpion]

Jeff Cooper's scout rifle idea consisted of a .308 magazine-fed short-barreled bolt-action rifle less than one meter in length, between 6.6 and 7.7 pounds, with an adjustable sling, forward-mounted long-eye-relief scope, back-up iron sights, and a bi-pod. Although options like back-up sights, removable magazine, and a bi-pod weren't mandatory to fit his exact definition, these options are desirable.

The Ruger M77 MKII Frontier comes close to Mr. Cooper's idea, but lacks a couple desirable options, like back-up sights and a removable box magazine. However, Ruger has since dropped the Frontier and replaced it with the Ruger Gunsite Scout Rifle, which is essentially a Frontier with back-up iron sights, sight rail, and a removable magazine.

The following images showcase my Ruger M77 MKII Frontier in .308 with a Burris 2.75x Scout Scope, bi-pod, and adjustable sling.

Specs:
35" Long
16.5" Barrel
6.8 Pounds (unloaded, no accessories)

Sorry, my photography skills or camera aren't top quality.

[ready]

I just finished that article in 'American Rifleman'. I like it but I think I would like a variable power scope. The fixed 2.75 seems better suited to a intermediate range semi-auto. Or maybe even a fixed 10x super sniper. Just my .02.

Nice rifle, though!

[Charliebravo]

Nice little rifle. I know Ruger doesn't make the most accurate bolt guns on the market, but they're as sturdy as their revolvers.

[AKTexas]

Nice little rifle. I know Ruger doesn't make the most accurate bolt guns on the market, but they're as sturdy as their revolvers.

Seriously? Since when? I have a target version in .220 swift that will shoot benchrested .25" @100 yards all day long with my handloads provided wind does not work against me. My uncle has the same rifle in .308 that shoots benchrested a .5" @100 yards. His 7mm-08 light weight barrel will group .5" @100 yards and so will the 30-06 lightweight. I'd say that was accurate enough for a bolt gun. The triggers are very nice and with good glass I cannot think of any out of the box bolt gun that would do better.