Ponderings on a scout rifle...

[Dionysusigma]

Well, I think I have most if not all of my long gun niches filled. Marlin 60 for the .22, SAR-1 for the cool EBR/HD/SHTF rifle, Winchester 1911 SL for a wall-hanger, Mossberg 590 for the HD shotgun, and a modified Swede mauser for hunting (if I ever get to hunt) and other precision use.

But the recent few threads about scout rifles and the "Favorite Hunting Rifle" thread (which had a rather unusually large amount of scouts in it) got me thinking about a scout rifle for myself one day. The criteria I came up with are not my ususal ones...

It must be a (relatively) short rifle; no M91/30s, please
It must be reliable and rugged
Accuracy is acceptable out to 6-7 MOA
It must be chambered in an easy-to-find, full-powered caliber (as opposed to .223 or 7.62x39, etc)
It must be bolt-action (because I don't have enough of those)
Optics must be an LER scope (no holosights, please)

I was thinking of starting off with a Spanish Guardia Civil mauser, since it's both short and chambered in .308/7.62x51. http://www.gunsnstuffonline.com/ind...-d77c-4304-a974-7fa1191b83a8&uniqueid=4088089

Other considerations include Enfields, other Mausers, and Mosins but I have concerns on the availability of the ammo. .308'll be available longer than either .303, 7.92x57 or 7.62x54R.

Then, replacing the rear sight leaf with a Weaver/Picatinny mount like the ones B-Square has. Since I know nothing about LER scopes (or for that matter, scopes in general) some input is needed there. I'd like something in a medium power (1-6X) that tastefully matches the metal of the rifle, and is quite sturdily built. Sun shades, reticle illuminators, or silly end-flap covers for the scope are not and should not be necessary.

Essentially, I want an incredibly sturdy setup that could've been around at any point in the first half of the 20th century. In a perfect world, it'd be a Mosin M38 chambered in .308, and the scope body would be twice as thick as scopes usually are. Metal would be perfect... evenly blued and/or park'd, and the wood would be a beautiful deep, rich, glossy brown-red. Bolt would be expertly turned down, and the bore is like a mirror and the rifling would be as sharp as a new Tikka.

Any input at all into making this is appreciated, since I know nothing about Spanish Mausers, scopes, mounts, etc. If anyone has pics of their scout rifles they'd like to post or re-post, I'd like to see them.

 

[RaySendero]

I put a Lepould scout scope on an 8x57 Mauser using the S&K mount for the VZ-24 rear barrel sight. Will try post a pic when my host site comes back up.

 

[hillbilly]

Check this thread.


http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=83120&highlight=scout

 

[Jaeger]

Take a look here for my rifle. "Saving a Burnt Out Jungle Carbine"

303 is fairly plentiful.

 

[mhdishere]

According to 7.62x54r.net the Mosin Nagant M39 is 40 inches long and 7 1/2 lbs (without scope). You can get a scout-scope mount for it that doesn't require permanent mods to the rifle, thereby preserving collector value. 7.62x54R ammo is plentiful, and with the number of these rifles out there I'd imagine it would remain so. Short, light, and packs a punch.

 

[Okiecruffler]

I had one set up on an M48A, wish I still had the B-Square mount. Tried to redo the project with a mount from Mitchell's Mausers, should have known better. Screws stripped when I tried to tighten it down.
How permant are you wanting to make the mount. If you don't mind doing serious modifications, I know that a T/C Contender Duo Mount can be mounted on the barrel, but you have to completely remove the rear sight, including the band. I still haven't decided if I'm willing to go that far. I've tried several scopes, but anything from T/C, or a Bushnell Trophy handgun scope would suit your purpose. I've had good results with NcStars, but all I do is punch paper. Anything more serious and you probably want to drop some more coin on glass.

 

[rbernie]

I had one set up on an M48A, wish I still had the B-Square mount.

I've got mixed feelings about this comment. I know some folks who had good luck with certain B-Square mounts, and I know many who've not had such good luck.

I bought a B-Square mount for my Mk4No1, and it self-destructed (as my local 'smith warned me it would) within 40 rounds. It's 'non-invasive' design and aluminum construction was simply not up to the task. Having said that - I've managed to retool it and, with the appropriate (permanent and invasive) mods to the Enfield receiver, it now works well. It was well made, for what it is - it was just not well designed.

If I had the option of doing it again - I'd try a S&K mount first, and only use a B-Square if no other option presented itself.

 

[Okiecruffler]

I've never used an SK mount, but I've heard good things, they certainly look solid. I've used B-squares on Mausers and Mosins and haven't had any problems with them, but you always hear the stories of those who have. I sold my mauser mount to a fellow THRer, but never heard how it worked out for him.

 

[ocabj]

Go with the SK for the Mauser. I have a B-Square on a VZ24. My main gripe is that when you tighten the front elevation screw on the base, it flexes/bends the base. I'm pretty sure this poor design affects the elevation zero because my groups are great windage wise, but open up vertically.

The only issue with the SK is that you have to use the SK rings that come with it. I don't think the Mauser SK mount has weaver cuts.

 

[jefnvk]

Yugo M48. 8mm is the cheapest surplus ammo you'll find right now, if you don't mind FMJ. It would be my first choice, second would probably be a M38 Mosin. Both about the same size. And, IIRC, there are some MG's that still use the 7,62x54 round (maybe not, going off memory).

OK, surplusrifle.com has the M48 listed as 43", and 8.5lbs. But, IMHO, it feels like a more solid rifle then the Mosin does. http://surplusrifle.com/yugom48/index.asp gives a good description of scoping and shooting it.

 

[ken B]

this was a cool link talking about mauser scouts this gentleman made

Ken B

http://t6aluminum.tripod.com/98_mauser_scoutrifle.htm

 

[MrMurphy]

Remington Model Seven in .308 with a Scout Scope mount.


Marlin 336 levergun with the XSS scoutscope mount and Ghost Ring sight for the non-bolt gun crowd in .30-30.


Savage 110FCM Scout (from the factory, set up).