peacebutready
Member
I noticed the Steyr Scout rifle has gone quite a bit down in price. IIRC, a person can now get them for $1300 or $1400. Have they been selling?
Steyr Scout selling?
- Thread starter peacebutready
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Panzerschwein
member
They probably WEREN'T selling because most folks didn't want to put down 2 GRAND for a polymer-stocked rifle.
I've always wanted one, but at the $1900-$2000 price they've been selling for... too rich for my blood, not for a gun that claims to be a "go anywhere do anything" style gun that might get scuffed up in the process. IMHO, there is no reason why this type rifle with the same materials can't be made today for no more than $1000.
Not surprised MSRP has gone down if it's true. It really is, by far, the closest "true" scout rifle ever made. When Cooper was alive, I believe he actually collaporated with Steyr and described the gun as being something like 95% a true scout.
The Ruger GSR popular today misses the "true" scout concept by a mile. They're interesting and good rifles, but despite having the blessings of Gunsite they are absolutely NOT a scout rifle and if Jeff Cooper where alive, he would agree.
I've always wanted one, but at the $1900-$2000 price they've been selling for... too rich for my blood, not for a gun that claims to be a "go anywhere do anything" style gun that might get scuffed up in the process. IMHO, there is no reason why this type rifle with the same materials can't be made today for no more than $1000.
Not surprised MSRP has gone down if it's true. It really is, by far, the closest "true" scout rifle ever made. When Cooper was alive, I believe he actually collaporated with Steyr and described the gun as being something like 95% a true scout.
The Ruger GSR popular today misses the "true" scout concept by a mile. They're interesting and good rifles, but despite having the blessings of Gunsite they are absolutely NOT a scout rifle and if Jeff Cooper where alive, he would agree.
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Jackal
Member
The Steyr Scout was the hot thing 10 years ago. With the advancements in modern semi auto rifles (tiny groups, lightweight and low cost) the Scout has likely lost a lot of practical appeal for the vast majority of folks.
Panzerschwein
member
I don't know of any semi-auto .308 rifles as light as a Steyr Scout. The gun weighs but 6 1/2 pounds.
The reason is likely the new synthetic stocked Ruger Gunsite Scout. It's
- lighter (it actually makes weight - the Steyr is a pseudo-scout per Cooper's definition)
- shorter
- has a more adult-friendly LOP
- mine shot sub-MOA off bags with the first general purpose load I tried (160gr Accubonds)
- has a threaded muzzle so you have have whatever type of device you like
- is CRF
- takes AICS pattern mags, available in a wide variety of sizes
- is readily available in the US
- cost is about $750
Unless a given buyer has a specific Steyr fetish, they're not going to be selling many guns given that competition.
- lighter (it actually makes weight - the Steyr is a pseudo-scout per Cooper's definition)
- shorter
- has a more adult-friendly LOP
- mine shot sub-MOA off bags with the first general purpose load I tried (160gr Accubonds)
- has a threaded muzzle so you have have whatever type of device you like
- is CRF
- takes AICS pattern mags, available in a wide variety of sizes
- is readily available in the US
- cost is about $750
Unless a given buyer has a specific Steyr fetish, they're not going to be selling many guns given that competition.
Panzerschwein
member
The Ruger GSR is an even bigger "psuedo scout" by that logic.
As overpriced as the Steyr is, it is the best and most faithful factory scout ever.
Period.
As overpriced as the Steyr is, it is the best and most faithful factory scout ever.
Period.
200Apples
Mojave Lever Crew
Are you unsure?
Because it's a known fact that he did. And where did you get the idea that "...despite having the blessings of Gunsite they are absolutely NOT a scout rifle and if Jeff Cooper where alive, he would agree." You have no idea what he "would agree" on, especially when you can only guess about his collaboration with Steyr. You might want to update your Cooper database.
The first RGS rifle with it's laminate stock may have been slightly over weight at 7.1 lbs but it seems you're unaware of the latest version of the Ruger with it's composite stock. That rifle weighs 6.2 lbs. It has a 16-1/2″ barrel (handy), iron (ghost ring) sights, is able to mount conventional and forward mounted telescopes, uses 3-, 5- and 10-round detachable box magazines and it’s capable of better than MOA.
Too, you'll never convince a whole Scout rifle community that the RGS is "absolutely NOT" a scout rifle. You're blowing a bunch of hot air. It's also fairly well-known among those in attendance at the scout rifle conferences that had there been no import restrictions those years on eastern-bloc hardware, CZ rifles and carbines would have been evaluated in detail. As it was, all they could do was drool from a distance.
False. Equipped in the obvious way (3-roudn mag, Warne quick draw rings, Leupold scout scope, Rhodesian or RifleCraft sling) it is the ONLY factory rifle that meets Cooper's original specs.
The Styer is painfully second fiddle now, which must chafe those who paid the better part of 2 grand for them.
Panzerschwein
member
You guys are probably right. I'll have to back check my facts, and my Cooper database.
200Apples
Mojave Lever Crew
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Man! I'd love to get my hands on one of these Ruger plastic stocks and one of these new radial-port muzzle brakes. That would bring my laminate stock .308-chambered Scout up to speed.
Man! I'd love to get my hands on one of these Ruger plastic stocks and one of these new radial-port muzzle brakes. That would bring my laminate stock .308-chambered Scout up to speed.
Catalog Number: M77-GS-C | Model Number: 6830
Gtscotty
Member
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Yeah, the only things I didn't like about my GSR was that it was kind of heavy, and the bolt was rough as a cob and had a tendency to bind. The new plastic fantastic version has caught my eye a few times; the one I handled was very front heavy, but otherwise on point.
Eurooptic has Steyr Scouts for $1,399 and I've been wondering how they stack up accuracy wise. I couldn't care less about the scout rifle dogma, but a short, light, handy .308 does have a lot of merit as a hunting rig.
Eurooptic has Steyr Scouts for $1,399 and I've been wondering how they stack up accuracy wise. I couldn't care less about the scout rifle dogma, but a short, light, handy .308 does have a lot of merit as a hunting rig.
Eurooptic has Steyr Scouts stripped (no Leupold scope, no nothing...)for $1399... Jeff Cooper Scout as originally sold (or close) is now up to $2995 from the same sellers.
That's quite a bit more than the Steyr Jeff Cooper Scout was 10 years ago.
That's quite a bit more than the Steyr Jeff Cooper Scout was 10 years ago.
jonnyc
Member
A Steyr "Scout" was pretty high on my Want List until I actually fired one. Hated it........off the list.
I was pretty happy with the 'similar' rifle I made using a Soviet M38 as the base, but ultimately realized I had no real use/need for that.
Oh well, so much for the need of a "Scout" rifle.
I was pretty happy with the 'similar' rifle I made using a Soviet M38 as the base, but ultimately realized I had no real use/need for that.
Oh well, so much for the need of a "Scout" rifle.
dh1633pm
Contributing Member
I have one of those pseudo scout rifles the Ruger GSR. The only thing pseudo about the original GSR was the weight. With the addition of the composite stock, it is pseudo no more. I have the composite stocked model and with the addition of the XS rail, it is as close to a perfect rifle as they come. Low weight, effective muzzle break and balanced handling.
Steyr for all their manufacturing perfection has nothing on this rifle. The Steyr's price reflects its place in the market. Just like the GSR reflects its own. The fact that the Steyr is going down in price shows that competition is having its effect.
Even if you hate the GSR and love that European mystique, then enjoy that the GSR is on the market, it helps to bring the Steyr's price back to earth.
Steyr for all their manufacturing perfection has nothing on this rifle. The Steyr's price reflects its place in the market. Just like the GSR reflects its own. The fact that the Steyr is going down in price shows that competition is having its effect.
Even if you hate the GSR and love that European mystique, then enjoy that the GSR is on the market, it helps to bring the Steyr's price back to earth.
bikemutt
Member
I have the Steyr Scout, it's a fine rifle. IIRC I paid $1400 for mine, a stainless model. It's reliably sub-MOA for me, suppressed or not. I added a set trigger to mine, not an inexpensive option but it allows me to use it for bench rest and field optimally.
I did own a Ruger GSR in 308, my specimen proved to have unremarkable accuracy so it went down the road. I also had one in .556 which was a tack driver.
In any event, my Steyr collection includes the Scout and AUG, they are two I'll never sell. Once their ergonomics are mastered, they just plain work right.
I did own a Ruger GSR in 308, my specimen proved to have unremarkable accuracy so it went down the road. I also had one in .556 which was a tack driver.
In any event, my Steyr collection includes the Scout and AUG, they are two I'll never sell. Once their ergonomics are mastered, they just plain work right.
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peacebutready
Member
Is it overpriced at around $1300 or so for it's quality?
peacebutready
Member
Competition is good for us.
peacebutready
Member
I'm curious how much these brakes cut down on recoil and boost muzzle blast.
peacebutready
Member
The bolt being rough and binding is unacceptable to me in a rifle of this price. Perhaps they improved since the earlier ones? Does anyone know about bolt smoothness on more recent examples?
Good comment in 2nd paragraph. That's the way I feel.
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Not in the slightest....
Not only have a I killed a double truckload of game with my Steyr Scout I have continually used the rifle for general hunting and shooting since I first bought it in 1998 when they were first introduced. The rifle has performed flawlessly, remains extremely accurate, easy to shoot and deadly on everything I've ever used it for on this continent and in Africa, from kudu to coyotes. The rifle is a joy to carry, an absolute tack driver and remains one of my go to hunting rifles to this day.
The action is as smooth as butter, it has an incredible trigger, the spare magazine well and the Ching sling make it ultimately ergonomic and a joy to have along in any outdoor situation. while I am not in any way trashing the GSR. I would not trade my Steyr for one under any circumstances.
PS
To answer the accuracy question, You can expect MOA to Sub MOA accuracy with anything you shoot through it from the deployed integrated bipod. I can shoot just over MOA with it from the sling and a prone position. In other words not only is the accuracy outstanding, it is supremely usable and easily obtainable in the field without an external rest. There are very few rifle on this planet that you can say that about.
dh1633pm
Contributing Member
The GSR with the composite stock and break is the most tame 308 I have ever shot. 6.5 pounds and recoil is about 223 like. Very effective break. However don't wear a hat and stand to the right or left of me when I shoot. It will blow it off your head.
200Apples
Mojave Lever Crew
.
That is good news. My plywood Scout with no brake (I removed the Ruger flash hider and installed a thread protector) with premium off-the-shelf 168 gr rounds is actually comfortable to shoot, and it's very easy with no bipod or no real rest to ring 12" plates at 100 yds using the ghost ring. I'm very pleased with my Ruger Scout. I may contact Ruger, still, about acquiring a plastic stock and perhaps that new brake. Yes, the bolt when fully retracted seems a bit sloppy, but I've never had any problems cycling it and shooting. It is certainly a beefy action. I am getting a little faster with it's operation, too.
That said, I'd love to own a Steyr Scout. It was indeed one of the Colonel's pet projects, and I have to admit I've become accustomed to it's unorthodox appearance. If I am the Cooper fanboy I think I might be, then I am remiss in not owning and shooting one.
Indeed!
And bikemutt... thanks for the picture! Just how much nicer is it to shoot with that can?!
That is good news. My plywood Scout with no brake (I removed the Ruger flash hider and installed a thread protector) with premium off-the-shelf 168 gr rounds is actually comfortable to shoot, and it's very easy with no bipod or no real rest to ring 12" plates at 100 yds using the ghost ring. I'm very pleased with my Ruger Scout. I may contact Ruger, still, about acquiring a plastic stock and perhaps that new brake. Yes, the bolt when fully retracted seems a bit sloppy, but I've never had any problems cycling it and shooting. It is certainly a beefy action. I am getting a little faster with it's operation, too.
That said, I'd love to own a Steyr Scout. It was indeed one of the Colonel's pet projects, and I have to admit I've become accustomed to it's unorthodox appearance. If I am the Cooper fanboy I think I might be, then I am remiss in not owning and shooting one.
Indeed!
And bikemutt... thanks for the picture! Just how much nicer is it to shoot with that can?!
peacebutready
Member
But what is muzzle blast like to the shooter?
Subjectively, I would say the bolt feel on my recent Ruger scout is about on par with a typical Rem 700, and not quite as nice as a M70. It's certainly not bad, rough, prone to binding etc.
I think he had a bad rifle.
bikemutt
Member
200apples, it's not quite as tame as shooting it with a good brake but it's considerably more civilized than shooting it bare. That said, it's still a well balanced recoil for the caliber..
That is good news. My plywood Scout with no brake (I removed the Ruger flash hider and installed a thread protector) with premium off-the-shelf 168 gr rounds is actually comfortable to shoot, and it's very easy with no bipod or no real rest to ring 12" plates at 100 yds using the ghost ring. I'm very pleased with my Ruger Scout. I may contact Ruger, still, about acquiring a plastic stock and perhaps that new brake. Yes, the bolt when fully retracted seems a bit sloppy, but I've never had any problems cycling it and shooting. It is certainly a beefy action. I am getting a little faster with it's operation, too.
That said, I'd love to own a Steyr Scout. It was indeed one of the Colonel's pet projects, and I have to admit I've become accustomed to it's unorthodox appearance. If I am the Cooper fanboy I think I might be, then I am remiss in not owning and shooting one.
Indeed!
And bikemutt... thanks for the picture! Just how much nicer is it to shoot with that can?!
Based on my limited experience, the best balanced 308 lightweight rifle I've shot bare is my Browning BLR. I kick myself over and over for ever selling that one. Next best is the Steyr Scout.
All things considered, the Steyr has some features that appeal to me. Flush mag with a second mag in the buttstock, full rail so I can pick any optic I want, threaded barrel (adapter may be needed), built-in bipod (if needed), and an excellent trigger.
It is what it is, not for everyone for sure, but it's a darn nice rifle and well worth the price paid, to me.
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