[Combat-wombat]

Of course, there's about a .00000001% chance that I'll get it 'cause they're so damn expensive, but are they good? accurate? reliable? How much would a .308 one cost?

[Preacherman]

I'm very happy with mine. Took it to Thunder Ranch General-Purpose Rifle course, and did very well with it. It's replaced half-a-dozen other bolt rifles for which I no longer have a need. Yes, it's expensive, but if you shop around, you can get one much cheaper than the "package" price of ±$2,500. I bought a black "tactical" model from CDNN (without scope, sling and case) for about $1,200, and added a Leupold Scout scope in Talley rings and a Ching sling at a later stage, so I guess my total outlay was less than $1,700 in all.

You can get them in various calibers. Big to small, they are .376 Steyr (roughly equivalent to .375 H&H), .308 Win., 7mm.-'08, .243 and .223.

There is a much cheaper alternative in the Savage Scout Rifle. It doesn't have all the bells and whistles of the Steyr version, but it's outstanding value for money, and I have one as a backup to my Steyr. Highly recommended for those not wanting to spend so much money on a Steyr.

[craigz]

If you do a search here and at The Firing Line, you'll find a wealth of opinion on the Scout. One faction says that it's flimsy, butt-ugly, and overpriced. The other faction says that Jeff Cooper is God. I personally have never seen the Steyr except in pictures, but I don't think I'd be interested. While I like the idea of a light, handy .308 very much, I wouldn't want the scout scope and I think $2500 is way too much money for what you are getting. Preacherman's $1200 version is at least in the world of sanity, but i still don't like the looks of the damned thing. I'd be more inclined to get something like a Remington Model 7 with a standard scope.

[Combat-wombat]

I actually think it looks really cool

[Telperion]

What kind of out-of-box accuracy can one expect from a Scout?

[MolonLabe416]

Go to Fr. Frog's Scout page at

http://www.steyrscout.org/project.htm

for a wealth of information on the SS.

I enjoy mine and recommend the rifle.

If you want something a bit more traditional in design, check with Jim Brockman. He makes outstanding rifles on the Model 70 action.

http://www.brockmansrifles.com/

[H&Hhunter]

A Steyr is not for every one. Mine is deadly accurate and has been reliable except for one thing. I had a casting problem in my first bolt which caused the bolt handle to crack and break. GSI replaced the entire bolt assembly at no cost. I've had no problems since.

My rifles been to Africa, Alaska I've killed deer, elk, hogs, coyotes, barbary sheep and lots of other stuff with mine. They are Intrinsicly accurate easy rifles to shoot. And I've never shot anything that is easier to hit with on fast moving game.

I endorse them even though they do look funny. I have a full Cooper package that I bought for $1700.00 brand new. If you look around they can be had for much less than the $2500 asking price.

[Oleg Volk]

My impression, based on handling .308 version recently, is that it is handy and points well, has a good trigger and a well-designed magazine. Down sides are:
- fragile, flimsy bipod
- short bolt throw, needs good ammo to function, not milsurp
- Folding iron sights very fragile
- forward scope placement means head doesnt shade the rear objective, so glare is a problem even with a good scope
- stock cutout for the spare magazine is very sharp, edges can hurt the shooter when spare mag isn't in

It is cute and light.
http://www.olegvolk.net/newphotos/mn-trip2/glamdring_s.jpg
http://www.olegvolk.net/newphotos/mn-trip2/oleg-scout_s.jpg

[Glamdring]

I think I've seen that rifle before :)

I don't know about getting cut on the sharp edges, hasn't happened yet.

I think we need to have a THR get together/shoot here in MN sometime this winter. We can go to the outdoor range just a few miles from where I live and see if mil spec ammo gives any problem. I have had it out in MN winters with regular ammo and never had any problem.

I haven't used anything but Federal (150 ballistic tips, 150 Barnes X, 165 Sierra gameking) , Hornady (150 Light Magnum), Winchester (180 Silvertip, 150 Failsafes) in it.

I haven't shot it a lot yet. Only 300 or so rounds. Most of the ammo shot so far has been the (about 50%) Light Magnums, (about 40% combined) Federal Ballistic tips & Gameking. The rest has been a mix of the 180 Silvertips, 150 X's, and the 150 Fail Safe.

Once I get my odd work schedule into some type of order I plan to start handloading for it. Will use 125 TNT HP (or Vmax if the TNT doesn't work) loaded to same POI as 150 Fail safes. Mainly for reduced recoil for longer strings when practicing, but also to use on coyotes or other varmints.

***

If I had it to do over again I would get a Scout or Pseudo Scout (in 35 Whelen or 9.3x62) built by Brent Clifton on a '98 Mauser instead. Mainly because I know more about rifles now and really like the simplicity of the Mauser.

[H&Hhunter]

Oleg,
I just gotta know.

A short bolt throw is a flaw!! What? Please explain that one to me.

The light hit problem and mil surp ammo has been solved for some time now I believe.

Your right on with the spare sight thing they are a total P.O.C.

As far as forward scope mounting goes. Well pard that's how we do it on a scout rifle wether it be a steyr or other. I do have a question for you. Have you ever used a scout in the field?

Now as far as the weak flimsy bipod. Do you know anyone who's ever broken one? I don't. But I have broken a harris in the field. I'm not saying it can't be done but they are rock solid to shoot off of.

I can shoot a tighter group off of my bi pod than I can off of a bench with that rifle any day. And oh by the way this rifle will shoot way sub MOA out of the box off the bipod.

As far as the cut out for the spare magazine damging the shooter. Well.........ok I guess it's possible if your in the habbit shooting with one of your hands under your cheek. I can't figure out how you'd do this. And if your using the bi-pod down and rersting your off hand it goes to the rear of the stock on that nice little handle provided far aft of the stock cut out.

I'm going to put this one in the Elvis/Bigfoot catagory. Other wise known as an urban legend.

I've spent 3 years behind a Steyr in real world honest to god outdoors in the field hunting situations. I find it to be a very handy deadly accurate, extremly usable little rifle. I also hunt with Model 70's they are very handy little rifles after about 500 to a thousand dollars worth of gun smithing. I'm not saying that you should rush out and buy a Steyr.

What I am saying is that 95% of crud you hear about Steyrs is just that complete crud.

[Glamdring]

H&Hhunter: How do you shoot off the bipod? I have tried but it is real easy to cant and it is real flimsy. I would rather shoot from sitting with it.

[Slingster]

My first three shots from a Steyr Scout at the Whittington Press Event where it was debuted were off the bipod on a concrete bench. Yes, the rifle did jump, but the three shots went into an inch at 100 yards.

The Steyr Scout is expected to be shot mostly off-hand without sling support or from quick-assumption supported positions with Ching Sling support.

Its bipod is not intended as a heavy duty use item, but only for the occasional long shot without time pressure. For that purpose it is fine, and its beauty is that it's always there, very light, and completely out of the way when it's not needed, unlike other bipods.

It also makes a handy rest in the field that doesn't risk your rifle falling over or getting crud in the action.

[Glamdring]

Slingster: It also makes a handy rest in the field that doesn't risk your rifle falling over or getting crud in the action.

Yep, that is how I use the bipod.

***

BTW Does anyone know if Clifton is still making scouts?

[Slingster]

As far as I know, Clifton's been out of the rifle and stock-making business for several years.

[Glamdring]

That is what I thought :(

Do you know if anyone still makes his stocks?

[MolonLabe416]

I find that I can shoot the Scout nearly as well at all practical ranges using the Ching Sling in prone. It's much faster to get into and out of.

Deploying the bipod slows you down considerable. This was pretty conclusively demonstrated during my 270 General Rifle class.

As was quoted, it does make a handy way to rest the rifle when having lunch. I expect it would be handy when shooting from a prepared position, otherwise I don't see much value in it.

[H&Hhunter]

Guys,
My experience is a ditto on the bipod. But when you need it's always there. I've used it on several dozen occasions when setting on a ridge or waiting in a field or topping a hill and busting that unaware prey, having had time set up, drop the bipod and send a 180gr nosler into the boiler room.

More often than not I'm shooting off hand or sitting or prone with the sling.

Glamdring,

To answer your question about how I shoot with the bipod. Bipod down right hand on grip and trigger left hand ander aft stock and supporting the rifle by pushing the aft end of it into my body. There is a nice little hand hold at the aft end of the stock just for this purpose. I find it to be rock solid that way. And a little cantability is a good thing in the field due to uneven terrain.

[Slingster]

Glamdring:

As far as I know, no one makes his disappearing bipod stock. I know Clifton tried to sell the patent several years ago but no one took him up on the offer.

[RTownsend]

Oleg hit on the problem that I think is most serious with my Savage scout.

The glare from your head not shading the Ocular lense could be a problem. I noticed it mostly during dusk in a stand where the sun sets over my left shoulder.

I looked around through the scope and couldn't find an area where I couldn't see well enough to safely take a shot but I don't like knowing there could be a circumstance that could make me unable to aquire my target.

Other than that I love it and it will continue to be my primary big game rifle.

[Glamdring]

Slingster: Thanks. Do you, or anyone else, have contact info for Clifton? I would like to talk to him about rights to his stock. I liked his design a lot, and plan to do a matched pair of metric scouts.

One in 6.5x55 and a Pseudo Scout in 9.3x62 and would like to use his stocks. Just want the bipod. Plan to use a Stockman or similar butt cuff that holds one loaded stripper clip plus 2 or so indiviual rounds.

[Slingster]

Glamdring:

I'm afraid I can't help you. I lost contact with Clifton several years ago and attempts on my part and on the part of several others have not been able to surface him anywhere. When he shut down his stockmaking business the story I heard was that we went back into real estate in the San Antonio area, but that lead is several years old now. If you do manage to track him down, please let me know.

[H&Hhunter]

Galmdring,
Send me a P.M. As of last year a good friend of mine was talking to Clifton and was planning on taking over his bipod stock. I need to make a few calls but I think I can find him for you.