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