Steyr AUG A3 or Steyr Scout (long post)

[Sublime865]

Hi All,

I'm looking to pick up a brand new Steyr. I've always wanted a AUG A1, however at $20,000+ for a preban, it is absolutely out of the question (for now). Recently, Steyr has started selling the AUG A3 SA for $2300. It's not the classig look of the A1, but it seems like a pretty solid gun (and as a Lefty, the ability to easily buy the new part for the left hand conversion is a plus). I am looking at it as owning an evil black gun, naming it Hussein Jr. after our *awesome* Pseudo-President (barack hussein obama), and using it for targets and varmint. After doing some research (and practice), also for deer hunting if I can find the right loads.

I am also looking at a Steyr Scout in 7.62mm for long range target, hunting, and a less satisfying "evil black rifle" designation. Shooting 900M out and having the limiting factor be myself is something I am a rather large fan of. It may not be the most practical for extreme long range, but the Steyr HS50 is on sale and its still $3999!

Trouble is, I can only swing one. The AUG seems like I'm going to have more fun with, get more use out of, be cheaper for ammo, and value increase if the liberals ever manage to pass the Brady bill again (not that I care as I'll never get rid of it, nor am I too worried about this happening anyway). I like the Scout, as it is a solid rifle, and will be usable next to instantly for deer hunting (as opposed to the AUG, which firing only 5.56 will take practice and range limitation before I would fire it at a deer).

Whichever I buy will be purchased with 2-4 extra mags, hard carry case, and enough ammo to make my muffed ears ring for days. Potentially a cheap laser range finder with the Scout, but I know nothing about those, cost included. Scope will be an after thought, I've never been fantastic with iron sights, and look forward to the excuse to work on that area of my shooting (dis)ability. AUG would be the Leupold CQ/T and Scout would be the best long-range Leupold I can get my hands on, I've had my share of crapco scopes fall apart on me (example being the $150 Tasco 3x-9x on my Ruger 44MAG Carbine with all rubber parts and scope caps drying out and falling apart) to know that you get what you pay for (hence, buying a Steyr).

And as I've seen on here before about people being "heated and vocal" about using 223/5.56 deer hunting, let us remember, there are people who still throw sticks at deer. Vermont is very dense, and it would be rare to have a shot at a deer at over 50-75 yards. Deer here are typically 130-170lbs, and in my area, have in the past walked up to 15 feet from where I stood and stood broadside to me (not that they are all that stupid mind you).

As an aside, I also always have my Glock 20 10MM Auto at my hip while hunting, which I hopefully NEVER have to use for the put-down shot. My 44MAG Carbine isn't the greatest for hunting. It has enough bang for what I need, but its such a heavy bullet that to go past 200 feet you have to point the damn thing near straight up I like the ability to go past 100yds reliably.




Bottom line is, I want a rifle that is going to be fun to shoot with the family and friends (father excluded, as he believes the only purpose for guns IS hunting, which he actively does yearly, but I'm pretty sure I can swing him around), easy/simple to maintain, is versatile and adaptable to wear many hats, and is going to be reliable for years to come. I picked Steyr for two reasons: they make AMAZING guns; and coming from the same country that produced my fantastic Glock, I have a lot of faith and trust that they will not do me wrong. I don't like the idea of having to do research to find out which rifles by which companies are made by them or rebranded, that destroys my trust in a company to the point where I won't do business with them (why I drive an Audi, Volkswagen borrows their tech from time to time as the owner, but it comes from Audi, made by Audi, and supported by Audi). If it makes me come across as snotty or picky about what I buy, I am.

I suppose that's more than any of you wanted to read , but I still appreciate any input, even other suggestions (yes I've looked at AR variants, not impressed). The AUG only comes in 5.56, but the Scout comes in a variety, and I'm not set on just the 7.62mm I listed. Hey, I warned you it was a long post!

 

[NG VI]

You really like Steyr huh?

You know there are plenty of other great rifles out there that will push your target range to 900-1000 meters if you put in the time right?

I think if you can't hit something animal-sized at over a hundred yards with your .44 carbine, you're doing it wrong.

That said, any reason to buy a new gun is a good one, as long as it doesn't involve being in fear of your life or vice versa. If you really want that Steyr, go for it. MSAR AUGs are around for $1000-1400 depending on which one you get, and there are literally crates of rifles that will perform exactly as well as the Scout for much less than $4K.

 

[desidog]

This reads like you've given it a fair amount of thought.

I'm a lefty and have pondered similar topics.

My advice would be to definitely test-drive before you buy; I really liked everything about the AUG until i actually got to shoot one set up lefty. I'm not a fan of the powder/gases leaving the ejection port drifting directly up into your eye...it makes shooting glasses essential, much like shooting an AR lefty....and the bullpup setup brings the BOOM right under your cheek - if there was ever a KABOOM i don't think a bullpup configuration would be a plus.

Since you're a lefty, I'd rule out getting the Scout post-haste; unless they came out with a lefty variant i don't know about.

So, my suggestion is that you get yourself a precision left-handed bolt-action rifle. You can get one custom made for about the same price as the AUG....or for a lot less, you could get a factory lefty bolt rifle. The downside is that not many factories make em lefty; and even if you can find a New Haven Winchester M70 Featherweight with a lefty action, you'd have to get on board with the short magnum chamberings...not ideal for where you are now, i surmise. Keep it in mind for later.

Savage is the only maker of lefty bolts that comes to mind; personally, i don't really like them. Take a look, if you do, great, you just saved yourself a chunk of change.

Otherwise, you could take one of the paths i took - Order up a barreled M99 action from Montana Rifle Company....stainless, lefty, fluted: you can't find that item on the local sporting goods shelf!....and an AI stock with the aluminum chassis you can drop it into - no need for bedding. You call the chamber size, you call the twist, etc. If you want more details, i can get into it....but i'll just say that for the same loot as an off-the-shelf AUG, you could have yourself a top of the line custom precision bolt-rifle built ground-up for you...lefty and with a stock made with the proper length of pull for your arms.

Have fun with your shopping, and like a car, test-drive before you buy if possible.

 

[boricua9mm]

Be advised that the new Steyr AUG A3 is not 100% Austrian. It is made in the US by Sabre Defence. I will also point out this it has not been without it's flaws. A lot of people like to rag on Microtech, but there have been folks that have had some issues with A3s as well. If you were planning on the Steyr b/c you thought it was 100% Austrian, that is something you should be aware of.

For the optic, I think there are better choices than the Leupold CQT. Not that it's a bad scope, it's just a large scope for the AUG, and in my opinion you're not getting a whole lot of scope for the money with that model. If you are going to plunk down that kind of cash for the optic I would consider an ACOG. My own belief is that the AUG platform is best for close-quarters and a non-magnified red dot sight is the perfect sight for this rifle. I prefer Aimpoint.

I don't hunt (at least I haven;t yet) and I don't have any experience with the Scout, so I'll leave that one alone.

Hope that helps...

 

[Juice Boxes]

The dealer whom I purchased my Styer aug included 5 mags but somehow ended up giving us 7.

I have an eotech on it now and the magnifier is on order.

 

[Kurt_D]

I think there was a deal last month where if you bought an AUG A3 you got and extra 5 mags (7 total) and a hard case (a coupon you mailed in). That was not a bad deal at all, PJ's had the price at $1890.

 

[Sublime865]

Many thanks for the thoughts (I did not realize the AUG was not all Austrian, thought the parts were Austrian and assembled in USA). The site I looked at for prices was ImpactGuns, and having never actually purchased online I'm not sure best sites/prices/etc. The Scout was something like $2000-2400, the $4000 price I referred to was the 50BMG firing single shot Steyr HS 50.

The AUG is just one of those "I've really wanted this for a long time" guns, and being easily swapped to lefty was a HUGE plus. The only issue I know of with the bullpup design is the limitation of left/right swap, which is not good for CQC. Understanding that, and always having a Glock on my hip, is an acceptable flaw for me. I don't handload, and while I fully accept and understand it could save me a boatload of dough, it's not a risk I'm willing to take, and its not even the "risk" factor, its the faith/trust in my own abilities and limitations. No matter how easy it is, it's just one of those areas where I've looked at it and was immediately overwhelmed and too many places to make a mistake. I'm impatient, and as I have read many places, handloading takes much patients and careful attention.

That does stink about the AUG not being all Austrian, but I'm sure you all have experienced the yearning for something less than "optimal for the job"...


As for customs, big fan of custom fitting, and definitely for my *next* gun. I have such a long list... Some point I want a Para Ord 1911, Glock 17 w/ 22lr conversion kit, Steyr HS 50, the list goes on...


Also, at risk of reaching further OT, any recommendations for a sub-$200 22LR autoloader pistol? I've got an old Mossberg 22 short/long semi auto that is a dream to shoot, I love being able to go to the store and buy a 100 rounds of crap 22 ammo for $5 and going into the woods out back and just enjoying myself. As far as the rifle goes, it's a dream and dead reliable even with 22 short, but I like shooting pistols too... I'd get a 22 conversion for my Glock 20, but that is my carry weapon, and as close to stock as I can keep it allows me to remain faithful that it will always be functional and by my side.

As I said, I'm snotty, hard to please, and stubborn. Unfortunately, the custom fit rifle idea is now on my list, which if my Fiance ever finds out about where I learned the idea... Run... lol



As for the 4 free mags and hard case, if you still have that coupon, pleeease forward it if not or expired, I'll be right back, I have to go out front and start yelling profanities...


And most importantly, thanks

 

[C-grunt]

I think you would have more fun with the AUG. Plus you already have a suitable hunting rifle if the AUG doesnt work out for you.

 

[zhyla]

You want a Steyr because it originates from the same country as another gun you own? That makes no sense. Actually, none of your post makes much sense. If you like Steyr so much why not get the A3 and then just buy some more common .308 bolt-action? You've got some marbles in there, put 'em to good use.

 

[Sublime865]

I'll elaborate on it a bit, its not just the "same country" thing, just trying to shorten a overgrown post

I've done a bit of research (spurred by my longing for an A1), and Steyr seems to consistently deliver top notch rifles that are reliable and well made, and not just put together well, but well engineered and designed.

I tend not to elaborate well and ramble when I'm excited about something.

Anyway, I've shot a CAR-15 (brand new), less than impressed, just didn't feel right to me. Nothing horribly against it, just didn't enjoy it. But I'll elaborate more on that later, battery dieing at friends house

 

[Sublime865]

Anyway, when it came down to assault rifles (and I use that term out of spite for the federal ban), I had resigned myself to just not being able to afford one. When I found out about the AUG A3 SA, it re-invigorated me into looking at them again. Combined with the fact that I was told that Steyr rifles started at $4000+, there were just too many cheapie "American" made (imported from Brazil and stamped with an American name) that it became too difficult and uninteresting (depressing) to try to keep track.

With so many AR-15 variants out there, and of varying legal status, and after holding a bushmaster and firing a CAR-15, it just didn't feel good in my hands, somewhat imbalanced. And the gun store near me was the only place I could find a real AR-15, and it being old and rusty at $1500 (a year ago), I (ill-informed) thought that to get a good one would be beyond my means. Again, not trying to bash the ARs, its one of those unexplainable things for me.

I wasn't aware until recently the AUG knockoffs, so I couldn't tell you one way or another how I feel about them, as I know nothing about them aside from being AUG knockoffs. I've experienced it both ways with knockoffs with other products, some amazingly better, some stunningly worse than the original. At a price difference of $500-$700, I'm willing to go for the Steyr in equal quality guns. Call it my Red Ryder, just without pointing it at people

I am looking more into the other AUGs now though, not sure where to start, but if it ends up being a superior firearm, I'm more than willing to give it a shot, pun fully intended

I'm still really on the fence on which of the two to persue, but I think I would have a lot more fun with the AUG, and be able to use cheaper 223 ammo for taking my stressful days at work out on targets, but use the full power 5.56 when it comes down to business. I'm loving the Scout but I think at this point the fun factor is most important to me (high stress job, medical field, working in IT) than anything.

Still hoping for a good suggestion with a 22lr pistol

 

[C-grunt]

A Ruger MKIII or Browning Buckmark cant be beat for a good reliable acurate .22lr pistol. My Ruger is probably the most accurate handgun I have ever owned and was under 300 bucks new.

 

[zhyla]

There's a lot more options than AR-15 or AUG. In varmint calibers, the SIG 556 and FN SCAR are obvious alternatives. You could buy two SIG's for one A3. And SIG's, as we all know, are made on the same continent as your Glock .

I think you're putting too much stock in Steyr's superior engineering and production. There are a lot of other guns that are well designed and function great.

 

[boricua9mm]

You could buy two SIG's for one A3. And SIG's, as we all know, are made on the same continent as your Glock

The 556 is made here in the states in New Hampshire. Some of the early ones had *some* Swiss parts, but for all intents and purposes, most 556 rifles are completely US made, save for the cheapo furniture that comes from Israel...

Personally, I think either the AUG A3 or an MSAR is a much better rifle overall than a 556, even though they are completely different. In my experience with the 556s, the QC just isn't there. YMMV...