henschman
Member
I don't think it is worth it, being that there are still FR-8s out there for about a third of the price. I built my own Scout using one of those for around $400, and I like it better than a Ruger.
The short barrel won't affect accuracy, but will cost a small bit in power due to velocity loss over a longer barrel, not enough that it should ever matter to any animal hunted with it though.before I start I would like to make a small intro to myself. I recently joined the US Air Force, and have been a gun nut for a while, but being young, (19yrs old) most of the guns i shot before were my father's. I recently purchased my first lever action (wanting a model 94 since i was a fetus) and I am on the lookout for a good hunting rifle, (i don't have one of those for my own yet) specifically one that can take down an elk, maybe at long distances (I live in NM). I was in the gun shop the other day, and I noticed a Ruger Scout LH .308. It looked like an awesome rifle, with a pad on the stock that was like 55 inches long and it handled very well because of how small and light it is. But, It was 1000 bucks! I just want to know if it is worth it. It had a very short barrel and I didn't know if that would sacrifice accuracy. Maybe I should just stick to my original plan (savage 110LH in 30-06), but any input on THR would be appreciated, it would be nice to learn from all you old timers
I'd have a very hard time spending $1000 for a M77 with a box mag.....
Have you owned a Ruger? If so, fair enough. Otherwise, the FR-8 is a fine platform to create a scout rifle with, and there is always some pride and satisfaction from creating something of your own. But there are some legitimate differences between the two that might lead some to think the Ruger is worth the extra $$$. Such as magazine capacity (not to mention detachable mags). Or greater flexibility in the ammo choices (since many caution against using commercial .308 in the FR-8). I really don't think the two are very comparable, and it certainly isn't the case that the FR-8 is "better." I have the GSR, and I also have an M44 in a scout configuration (at closer to $300 invested, than the $400 you spent on your FR-8). And while I like it a lot, it would never really occur to me to compare it to, or say that I like it "better" than the GSR. Now if you've owned a GSR, and there was some things that turned you off about the experience, then share them so that the OP can better determine if the GSR is for him. Frankly, I think there have only been two substantive responses to his questions. One has been to allay his concerns about accuracy, and the other has been to question whether this is the best gun for elk at long ranges. And the latter may be a relevant concern. But if the GSR is not up to that task, I somehow doubt that the FR-8 is somehow better suited to it.I don't think it is worth it, being that there are still FR-8s out there for about a third of the price. I built my own Scout using one of those for around $400, and I like it better than a Ruger.
Regardless of whether people love or hate the concept of the scout rifle, that debate doesn't really address the OP's situation.
Regarding the original post... I would suggest that a 308 fired through an 16.5" or 18" barrel, while sighting your target with the typical low power scout scope, isn't exactly the optimal choice for a long distance elk rifle. Will it work? Maybe. But there are certainly much better choices out there for this use, especially in the $1000 range.
I would consider something like a Tikka T3, and a classic long action hunting cartridge, like a 30-06, in a 22" or 24" barrel. (I scooped up my T3-Lite in 270win when it went on clearance this past winter for $350 at my LGS, and I also took advantage of a rebate from Burris to mount a 3-9x40 Fullfield E1 scope on it for $150.) But, whatever brand you choose, there are plenty of rifles available that would be better than a Ruger GSR for long range elk hunting.
Exactly right. That said, if one could only have one rifle, the GSR might be the more versatile choice. While it might not be ideal for elk, it could be pressed into service for that. I responsible hunter would probably want pass up the longer range shots, and do some stalking to get closer. But inside 300 yards, I wouldn't hesitate to take a shot with my GSR. Now I do have a 2-7x scope on it, and not just the more common 2.75x many have, and that would make a big difference to whether I would take the shot.Cooper designed this rifle to be a compromise for survival hunting and self-defense. I think a more specialized rig would do way more good in this situation.
You have a .308 which is considered by many to be in the lowest acceptable tier for an elk cartridge.
I think it might be wise to divide elk cartridges into three categories as follows:
1. Cartridges primarily intended for shooting deer and black bear (CXP2 class game) at woods ranges that are also adequate for elk at short range (100 yards or less). These cartridges are at the low end of the power scale as elk cartridges, due to their limited down range energy. Their advantage is that most hunters can shoot them more accurately than the more powerful elk cartridges. Included in this group are the .30-30 Winchester, .32 Winchester Special, .35 Remington, .375 Winchester and similar cartridges.
2. Combination CXP2/CXP3 cartridges that are more powerful than strictly necessary for deer size game. These are more powerful than the cartridges in the first category. Most are excellent all-around cartridges and adequate for shooting elk at medium to long range (200 yards or more). Many hunters find the muzzle blast and recoil of these cartridges intimidating, particularly when shooting the heavier weight bullets, but few will admit it. This category includes such stalwarts as the .264 Winchester Magnum, .270 Winchester, the .270 Magnums, 7x64 Brenneke, .280 Remington, 7mm WSM, 7mm Rem. Magnum, 7mm Weatherby, .308 Marlin Express, .300 Savage, .308 Winchester, .30-06 Springfield, .303 British and 8x57JS.
3. Ideal elk cartridges. These are good cartridges to consider if you are buying a rifle specifically for elk hunting and don't mind substantial recoil and muzzle blast. Their principle drawback is that most shooters do mind the recoil and muzzle blast, particularly of the magnums, and simply cannot do their best shooting with these cartridges. For long range elk shooting (300 yards) the list is basically limited to cartridges such as the long 7mm Magnums (7mm STW, 7mm RUM), .300 Magnums, 8mm Magnums and .338 Magnums. At short to medium range, the list expands to include medium and big bore cartridges such as the .338 Marlin Express, .338 Federal, .338-06 A-Square, .348 Winchester, .358 Winchester, .35 Whelen, .350 Remington Magnum, 9.3x62mm, 9.3x74R, .444 Marlin, .450 Marlin and .45-70.
My reloads do not work in the Scout Rifle and don't know why. I've switched primers and still have dead strikes about every third round.
Been reloading for 40-years, never had this problem before.
Makes me want to sell my Ruger Scout Rifle. If interested in purchasing this Rifle please contact me.
Thanks
-Mike
Oh how times change. A little bit ago, I caved-in a bought a Ruger Gunsite Scout. Somehow it grew on me. Specifically, it was the peep sights, and the overall balance. I haven't put a scope on it, and probably won't. Given my change in attitude and affinity toward this rifle since post #25, I may just end up adding a scope in the future. Never say never, I guess.
Geno
Years ago I had issues with my Ruger 77 MKII in .308 Win with NATO-spec ball ammunition (hard primers) and primer ignition.
Replaced the striker (firing pin) spring with a heavier Wolff unit and solved it.
Wolff claims the factory spring is 21 lbs, they sell 24 and 28 lb springs for the same application. My recollection is that I went with the 24 lb spring.
I would change the location of the lower sling stud to the side of the stock about 3" in front of the buttplate to allow the carry of the rifle muzzle down and close to the back so it won't hang on low branches etc. Take a look at Swiss rifles.