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Scout rifles and scout style scopes
11 years ago
In the early 1980s, renowned and expert gunsmith and firearms expert Jeff Cooper designed and promoted the concept of a general purpose "scout rifle." According to his specifications, the rifle must be bolt action, 6.6-7.7 lbs unloaded, overall length of 1 meter or less, forward mounted telescoping sight of low magnification (scout style scopes), ghost ring style back up sights, a "ching" sling, must be chambered in .308 (most common) or 7mm-08 (also can be in .243 with a 22" barrel, and there was even a "Lion Scout" in .350 Rem Mag), and should be able to shoot 4" (2 minutes of angle) at 200 yards.
The design has not become very popular, but has made it's appearance in the firearms community.
There was issue with the recoil of the .308 out of the shorter barrel of the scout rifle, so Cooper approved the 7mm-08 for use in the scout rifle.
The most quintessential scout rifle would be the recognizable Steyr Scout.
Cooper worked with Steyr to perfect the rifle and now it is know for its odd appearance, integral bipod, forward mounted scope, and spare mag holder. This rifle was even chambered in .376 Steyr, known as the "Dragon Scout" (watch out you reptile fuzzies!).
Savage, Ruger, and Springfield have all also released their versions of the scout design, with Ruger's Gunsite Sight beginning to becoming popular in recent years.
The most distinct feature of the scout rifle is the forward mounted scope.
On scout rifles (and now even on many guns), a low magnification, long eye relief scope is mounted just forward of the receiver (I personally love this design).
The scout rifle is a quite interesting design, made for an all round utility gun.
It's popularity has slightly rose in recent years, but it still remains not too popular.
Hopefully this design will take off more, with more companies releasing guns based on the scout design.
What do you guys think about the scout rifle and the scout scopes?
The design has not become very popular, but has made it's appearance in the firearms community.
There was issue with the recoil of the .308 out of the shorter barrel of the scout rifle, so Cooper approved the 7mm-08 for use in the scout rifle.
The most quintessential scout rifle would be the recognizable Steyr Scout.
Cooper worked with Steyr to perfect the rifle and now it is know for its odd appearance, integral bipod, forward mounted scope, and spare mag holder. This rifle was even chambered in .376 Steyr, known as the "Dragon Scout" (watch out you reptile fuzzies!).
Savage, Ruger, and Springfield have all also released their versions of the scout design, with Ruger's Gunsite Sight beginning to becoming popular in recent years.
The most distinct feature of the scout rifle is the forward mounted scope.
On scout rifles (and now even on many guns), a low magnification, long eye relief scope is mounted just forward of the receiver (I personally love this design).
The scout rifle is a quite interesting design, made for an all round utility gun.
It's popularity has slightly rose in recent years, but it still remains not too popular.
Hopefully this design will take off more, with more companies releasing guns based on the scout design.
What do you guys think about the scout rifle and the scout scopes?
I am fond of the 308 caliber though. I have a rifle chambered in it, but its got a 26" barrel and probably weighs in at around 12 pounds or so. Not a lightweight.
For a lightweight, carry around in the woods rifle, I would go with either an AR or a Mini 14. Or a lever action 30-30.
I Guess that my AR-15 functions as a 'scout' rifle...
308 is one of my go to calibers, so that was no prob, and the recoil to me is negligible.
I am going to have it ceracoated in another color soon as black gets heathen hot real quick out here.
I bought two spare mags for it. Ruger really gouges on the mag prices.
Cooper was a great proponent of these rifles. I handled the Steyr and did not care for it. I do have a Steyr SSG-69, which I really like, though.