I want to see your "scout" rifle set ups

I am cheap (read as frugal) henceforth, cheap scout rifles. Love the fast handling quality of them.


http://hstrial-rchambers.homestead.com/early.html#

Here's one I built some 20 years ago.


It started life as an FR-8...is still in the original chamberng of 308. Can't say enough good about it. IMHO, backup iron sights are a MUST...otherwise, it's not a real Scout Rifle.

She shoots about like this:


And lest ye she's just another pretty face, here's a few "shots" of what she's done over the years:











...and from this year.:


35W

Here's my Marlin 1895 scout rifle.

Gents,

Pop on over to the Scout Forum if you are into these cool rifles, www.scoutrifle.org

Regards,

Andy

That is a really nice example of a scout rifle and exactly the type I would want. What kind of scope is that and are you satisfied with the eye relief when shouldering the rifle?

35 Whelen said:

Here's one I built some 20 years ago. It started life as an FR-8
View attachment 519867

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Jonnyv...........Actually, if you go back and read Cooper's book, he talks about placing the front sight post at the front of the scope mount. His opinion was that the 11" or so sight radius was sufficient for field use, and he mentioned that he wasn't very fond of the way a standard front sight could get caught in brush or high weeds.

Remember, he was fully aware that some compromises had to be made, since no rifle produced at the time contained every one of the features he considered ideal, i.e. the magazine disconnect.

My own Scout, a remmy Model 7 in 7mm-'08, is very close to his description, but lacks back-up irons and doesn't quite make weight.

I may be wrong, but I think Cooper's plan was to have the optic and mount as part of the total 3Kg weight goal. If that is true, then there are very few scouts that meet that criteria.

That is a really nice example of a scout rifle and exactly the type I would want. What kind of scope is that and are you satisfied with the eye relief when shouldering the rifle?

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The scope is one of the original Burris Scout scopes in 2.75X. I am extremely satisfied with the entire rig. It is hands-down my "go-to" or "...if I could only have one rifle..." rifle.
I've been firing typical scoped, bolt action rifles for about 35 of my 47 years, so the eye relief took a little, and I mean just a little, getting used to, but quick target acquisition quickly became second nature for me. Also, in having taught four of my kids to shoot, the Scout set up with the forward eye relief scope was much, much easier to teach with. My oldest daughter, beginning at age 11, had zero trouble getting used to the scout set up unlike with the standard scope set up. I know we've all seen new shooters sliding their heads up and down a stock trying to get a full field of view. I will say that I had a Scout set up on a different rifle on which I had mounted a Nikon handgun scope. I found it a bit more difficult to use than the Burris.
Remember, a Scout rifle was never intended to replace a pure hunting rifle (although mine pretty much has), but rather be a practical, all around rifle. I lump my Scout rifle and a solid, pump 12 ga. shotgun with a modified choke into the same catagory: Neither is perfect for any one task, but with either, you can do just about anything.
35W

SharpsDressedMan, you're right. I could easily get mine below 3 kg. But it would involve spending several hundred bucks on a Kevlar stock. Not able to do that right now.

Marlin 336 "Texan" Scout

Here is the Lever Action Scout I just sold. 18.5" barrel. Very handy and quick, but "felt" heavier than what I thought it should.

M1 with Nigerian stock

Kinda long but it shoots good

I guess this COULD be considered a "scout rifle" of sorts. [/IMG]

I guess this COULD be considered a "scout rifle" of sorts.

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Sure, why not? They actually probably fit the overall description more than most others.

While I also find the red dot to be more appropriate, and that goes for more things than not these days, you can easily pop a scout scope with lever rings on the Ultimak if you felt the need.

I think one of the most critical criteria of the Scout rifle is the caliber. Please allow me to paraphrase so as not to break the rules of this forum:

The Scout Rifle Conferences held under the auspices of Jeff Cooper defined the scout rifle as a general purpose rifle suitable for taking targets of up to about 880 pounds at ranges limited to the shooters visibilty, or a little over 300 yards.
Continuing:
The caliber of such rifles likewise has been set at .308 Winchester (7.62 x 51 mm). or something like a 7mm-08. Some O.K. the .243 Winchester for frail individuals or where "military" calibers are proscribed." (Anyone who prescribes a .243 for an 880 lb. animal at 330 yds. is, well, silly)

Concerning accuracy:
It should be capable of shooting into 2 minutes of angle or less (4") at 200 yards/meters (3 shot groups).

I'll stick my neck out and say that this last criteria will eliminate many, many rifles. I think what happens is gunny people mount a scope forward of the receiver and call the rifle a Scout rifle. This is fine, it's their rifle and they should be able to call it what they wish. But as seen above, there's far more to a Scout rifle than a forward mounted scope. But then again, I guess mine's not exactly what Cooper described...

I'd suggest a trip to the Scout rifle forum and read why the Scout rifle was conceived and how it was envisioned to be used.
Just my 2¢...
35W

Browning Lever action takedown in 308 with a Leupold Scout scope.

Glad the OP asked the question. This has been an informative thread. I've only owned one scout, a Savage version. It was a very decent little rifle that would shoot groups under an inch at 100 yards with handloads.
When I get another at some point, I want it to have a more "military" heritage. I think a Mauser action with the charger guide still attached is a better choice. Maybe you never will need to reload it quickly, but if you do, stripper clips are faster than thumbing them in one at a time and make detachable magazines unnecessary. I'm thinking an FR-8 will be a good place to start.

This is my 10/22 scout. First stab at the concept and really like how she handles. Looking to do my Mini 14 the same way. Anyone got an Ultimak?

OK I have to ask: How much paracord did it take to make the sling in that picture above?

My Marlin...

You know, a Saiga .308 (converted or not) could be a fine scout rifle. Just about ideal, truth be told. It's short, fairly lightweight, hard-hitting, accurate, has iron sights, and is easily scoped.

my scout

35 Whelen
Member

I think one of the most critical criteria of the Scout rifle is the caliber. Please allow me to paraphrase so as not to break the rules of this forum:

The Scout Rifle Conferences held under the auspices of Jeff Cooper defined the scout rifle as a general purpose rifle suitable for taking targets of up to about 880 pounds at ranges limited to the shooters visibilty, or a little over 300 yards.
Continuing:
The caliber of such rifles likewise has been set at .308 Winchester (7.62 x 51 mm). or something like a 7mm-08. Some O.K. the .243 Winchester for frail individuals or where "military" calibers are proscribed." (Anyone who prescribes a .243 for an 880 lb. animal at 330 yds. is, well, silly)

Concerning accuracy:
It should be capable of shooting into 2 minutes of angle or less (4") at 200 yards/meters (3 shot groups).

I'll stick my neck out and say that this last criteria will eliminate many, many rifles. I think what happens is gunny people mount a scope forward of the receiver and call the rifle a Scout rifle. This is fine, it's their rifle and they should be able to call it what they wish. But as seen above, there's far more to a Scout rifle than a forward mounted scope. But then again, I guess mine's not exactly what Cooper described...

I'd suggest a trip to the Scout rifle forum and read why the Scout rifle was conceived and how it was envisioned to be used.
Just my 2¢...
35W

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Cooper also commented that a scope wasnt even a requirement for a scout. The concept is more of power, size and weight, as a handy general purpose gun. He wrote on a number of occasions that there were currently no self loaders that he felt were applicable to the concept, as they didnt make weight, size or caliber in combination. There are many psuedo scouts, many fine in their own way, just not true scouts as the concept was conceived.

This is as close to the orginal concept as I own. Perhaps not as close as some, but likely closer than most that are called "scout".




.

My Scout.

I paid $150 a piece for both of those guns and saved them from the undignified wall rack in a pawn shop.
Thay love me for it.

This could be one.... Light, it folds, Accurate, reliable, made in the USA....



A saiga .308 in 16" original is light, powerful, super reliable and this one is very accurate.
Unconverted above, converted below...