Photos by the creator
Despite the fact that I got here to the bolt motion rifle desk a bit later in my life, I had been conscious of the Scout rifle idea as envisaged by gun guru Jeff Cooper for many years. I simply had no technique to personal one, nor a purpose to.
In more moderen years, since turning into a author, doorways have been opened that have been closed earlier than. Additionally, Indiana modified its deer firearms season legal guidelines, and now nearly every little thing from .219 up in bullet diameter is permissible.
These doorways swung large open. (It’s going to take an effort to resolve whether or not to hunt with this Scout 308 or my suppressed AR 5.56 from HM Protection… that’s one enjoyable, quiet gun! I assume I may at all times put a suppressor on the Scout…) However I digress.
Scout Rifle?
A Scout rifle, as designed by Jeff Cooper within the early Eighties, is supposed to be helpful, efficient, and fast into motion, with a low-power, long-eye-relief scope mounted ahead and rear-aperture, front-post backup sights put in. We would consider a mountain or a searching information’s rifle in comparable phrases. His concept was that it is best to be capable to use the open sights to hit targets at 500 yards, however have an optic, additionally. Cooper’s rifle was meant to be chambered in .308 Winchester… therefore the “efficient” half.
Listed below are just a few defining traits of the Scout rifle:
Caliber: .308
Motion: bolt
Set off: Clear, 3 kilos
Barrel: Not than 19 inches; shorter is healthier
Weight: Needs to be lower than 7 kilos, with 8 as a most
Size: General size of not more than 39 inches
Optics: Ahead-mounted scope, not more than 2-3 energy
Reserve Sights: Ghost ring rear, entrance submit
Inventory: Artificial, not wooden
Journal: A field journal with a double detent to permit each feeding and non-feeding positions
Sling: “Ching” or “CW” sling that enables each carry and to make use of as an help when capturing
Accuracy: 2 MOA
It was with nice anticipation that I discovered that Ruger had revisited the Scout rifle idea. They made their unique Scout in 2011 with the Gunsite Scout rifle. This Mannequin 77-based, wood-stocked bolt-action was chambered in .308. It was created as a tribute to Cooper’s Gunsite firearms coaching facility.
Different firms have made Scout rifles… notably Steyr, Savage, Mossberg, and Howa. It’s a standard class.
This Rifle
OK… now you’re on top of things on the Scout idea. Let’s have a look at this particular rifle. First, listed here are some specs and options. Then, we’ll see how intently it traces up with the above Scout traits.
Specs
Right here is extra data from the Scout’s net web page. Sorry concerning the copy/paste, however these options are good to know…
AR-style pin and aperture iron sights provide each elevation and windage adjustment. As well as, the rear aperture has two flip-adjustable sizes for close to and much sighting.
Manufacturing facility-installed, Scout-length scope base for mounting intermediate eye reduction scopes, optics, and night time imaginative and prescient or thermal imaging gadgets.
Splatter completed inventory gives glorious grip with out being too sharp or abrasive.
Gentle rubber recoil pad options a big radius on the heel for straightforward shouldering and improved geometry that progressively collapses to cut back felt recoil.
Eradicating the put in spacer permits for the size of pull to be adjusted from 13.75″ to 12″. Extra spacers of various sizes for a extra refined match can be found at ShopRuger.com.
Low comb (included) permits for improved sight alignment when utilizing magnified optics, however will be left off when using factory-installed iron (not plastic!) sights. Extra comb choices can be found at ShopRuger.com to additional refine the match.
Professionally utilized Cerakote coating on barrel, receiver, and bolt deal with ends in a sturdy, easy-to-maintain end.
Compact, threaded barrel with factory-installed flash suppressor is chilly hammer-forged, leading to ultra-precise rifling that gives distinctive accuracy and longevity.
Intuitive three-position tang security locks the bolt, stopping inadvertent bolt opening whereas permitting the rifle to be loaded with the protection engaged.
Ruger Marksman Adjustable™ set off affords a crisp launch with a pull weight that’s user-adjustable between 3 and 5 kilos.
Patented Energy Bedding™ integral bedding block system positively locates the receiver and free-floats the barrel for excellent accuracy.
The one-piece bolt is CNC machined from chrome steel for easy operation, and the acquainted three-lug design with 70° throw gives ample scope clearance.
Outsized bolt deal with for constructive bolt manipulation, with a 5/16″-24 thread sample for straightforward alternative.
The accessible accent inventory weight package provides as much as 1.6 kilos to the butt of the rifle to soak up recoil and enhance the rifle’s steadiness when using heavier muzzle gadgets. Weight package accessible on ShopRuger.com.
Consists of: one journal; metal sling swivel studs.
So, to check this rifle with the Scout traits listed above, we see that it qualifies within the following areas:
Bolt motion ✔
Weight ✔
Inventory ✔
Caliber ✔
General size ✔
Set off ✔
Sights ✔
Accuracy ✔
Seems to be like Ruger’s engineers ticked many of the proper packing containers.
A minimum of one distinction exists between Cooper’s imaginative and prescient and the rifle on the desk in entrance of me: the bolt. Cooper specified that the bolt needs to be constructed on the Mauser two-lug sample… I assume for simplicity’s sake, plus energy. The Ruger bolt makes use of a three-lug sample, like many fashionable rifles. To my thoughts, that is one thing that has come about due to fashionable engineering and isn’t a deal-breaker. The rifle locked up simply and carried out completely, and the three-lug bolt throw doesn’t intrude with no matter scope you’ve mounted.
A phrase about optics… again in Cooper’s day, we had no purple dots or low-power variable-optic scopes. He included as part of his specs a 2x-3x lengthy eye reduction scope (just like the 4x Leupold M8, which was designed for handgun use) as being the popular optic. In the present day, we have now many selections that fulfill that scope-forward requirement. You don’t want to make use of a devoted long-eye-relief scope… simply put your favourite purple dot or LPVO on it and head to the vary. Or, don’t put something on it and simply use the included ghost ring/submit setup. That’s how I shot the targets beneath.
Photographs
Let’s have a look at some images I took.
Right here we see the good recoil pad, the detachable extension to shorten the size of pull, and the detachable comb extension.
The flash hider and sights. You’ve the everyday flip aperture and AR-style entrance submit.
The tang security is simple to succeed in, and is constructive in its engagement…
The American Gen II inventory texturing is simply sufficient.
The Pic rail is lengthy sufficient to mount nearly no matter you need.
Brand, sight, and bolt launch. The bolt comes out simply sufficient for cleansing.
Vary Time
Earlier than I stick pics of targets right here, I want to elucidate that, because of the horrible climate that many of the nation lately “loved”, I used to be solely capable of get to about 50 yards in my yard vary. We bought extra snow at one time than I can ever keep in mind getting all through most of my lengthy life. That wasn’t dangerous sufficient, however the daytime temps hovered within the single digits with a goodly wind blowing, and below-zero wind chills. A lot for my excuses, however I did the perfect I may contemplating the circumstances. And the one native indoor vary for miles round frowns on .308…
Black Hills provides my assessment ammo, for which I’m extraordinarily grateful. They despatched 4 .308 masses, all yellow-box Gold ammo. They have been:
150-grain Hornady SST
155-grain ELD Match
165-grain Hornady CX
168-grain ELD Match
To say that these masses are on the prime of the heap is an understatement. Black Hills makes some fantastic ammo not just for civilian shooters, however in addition they promote to regulation enforcement and army procurers. That is great things, certainly, and I’ve a agency suspicion that it’s higher than I’m able to shoot it.
Listed below are 4 consultant targets, shot with the aperture/submit sights that got here on the gun. I do want to maneuver the entrance submit and rear aperture to dial within the level of impression, however that can occur quickly.
When it comes to “pictures touching one another”, we see that with the 150- and 165-grain masses. The others weren’t far off and really presumably may qualify the subsequent time I take the rifle out and shoot it. Any of those masses would definitely work for our Hoosier deer woods.
It’s apparent to me that, with about one-inch teams at 50 yards, we’d be proper on the accuracy requirement of two MOA for Cooper’s Scout rifle idea. Bear in mind, these teams have been shot with open sights. Add an optic, and they might tighten up.
Considered one of our sons and I are additionally inveterate handloaders, and between us, we have now a ton of .308 circumstances, with powder offered by Hodgdon for reloading this and the 5.56mm. (He has the Dillon 750 XL arrange for .223, and I’m prepared with my RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme for .308. I even have a set of .223/5.56 dies prepared if wanted.)
As quickly as I can get to my unheated reloading space, I’ve CFE223, Varget, and Winchester Sta-Ball Match powders, with bullets offered by Raven Rocks Precision, lined up and able to go. They provide some very good bullets and different gear. (You’ll be able to learn my article about reloading the .277 Fury and the .308 with a few of these bullets right here.)
As I mentioned, I used the sights that got here with the rifle. When the snow abates and I’m able to attain my targets out yonder, I’ll put an optic on it of some kind… I feel I’ve one coming in, an LPVO, that might be nice. We’ll see if it materializes. A minimum of, we are able to shoot it now. I most definitely will get it lined out earlier than I do any searching with it. An illuminated-reticle LPVO is simply the ticket… keep tuned. Though for normal capturing at my vary, the ghost ring/submit works fantastic. Now, if I solely discover my AR entrance sight adjustment software…
We have to keep in mind that the accuracy attribute of the Scout idea is 2 MOA, not 1. This rifle ought to simply meet that standards, particularly when given higher capturing circumstances.
Do You Want This Rifle?
I really like asking that rhetorical query once I assessment one thing off the crushed path. I often prefer to reply it within the affirmative… in fact you do! Effectively, let’s qualify {that a} bit. When you just like the .308 caliber in a bolt-action rifle, and you might be in search of one thing actually helpful to hold round, then it would be best to have a look at this rifle.
It’s the embodiment of Cooper’s Scout idea, constructed with these traits firmly in thoughts. Having it constructed on Ruger’s Gen II American platform is even higher, with the improved adjustable set off, a buttstock that may be shortened for shooters of smaller stature, and a snap-on comb peak adjuster. (I admit that I like the best way the black comb adjuster seems on the inexperienced rifle inventory… mine will keep there. It’ll turn into very helpful once I put an optic on the gun.)
One other plus is the threaded muzzle – now that suppressor gross sales are going by the roof, you may wish to take into consideration including one. Even one thing easy just like the built-in sling swivel studs provides to the worth. If I have been a betting man, which I’m not, I’d guess that Ruger sells an entire lot of those. It’s a pleasant, helpful rifle that performs.
Hyperlinks To Objects Used In This Evaluation
Birchwood Casey Crammed Taking pictures Luggage, $40
Birchwood Casey Vary Cleansing Equipment, $60
Black Hills Ammunition
Caldwell E-Max Low-Profile Listening to Protectors, $33
Caldwell Max-Grip Slim Sling, $31Caldwell Final Goal Stand, $33
GPS Medium Vary Bag, $150
Wheeler Firearm Accurizing Torque Wrench Equipment, $88
Wheeler Set off Pull Gauge, $88
Wheeler Pink Laser Bore Sighter, $193 (accessible in inexperienced, additionally)
