Request for Scout-Type Rifle Pictures

[MountainBear]

I have done the search and am tired of sifting through arguments on what is and is not a scout rifle. I would just like to see everyones pictures of their scout-type rifles. Mil-Surps, Rems, Rugers, Steyrs, whatever. I just want some inspiration to buy or build my own.

 

[Husker1911]

I had this Remington 600 Mohawk .308 converted ten or twelve years ago. The speed with which I've sighted and dispatched cornfed Nebraska whitetails is worthy of bragging rights. It's fast!

The 18 1/2" barrel is original factory. Prior to this scout conversion, I had a Leupold 3 X 9 mounted on the rifle conventionally. From a sandbagged rest, this very rifle, with me shooting, printed three shots at 100 yards touching each other. Now I just wish I could tell you I can do that on most any old day!

 

[kaferhaus]

Although "handy", the scout rifle concept is a fast fading fad.

And the forward mounted scope makes them barrel heavy.... not good for off hand shooting.. which was one of the virtures of the "idea" fast handling off hand "snap shooting".

They are indeed fast handling, but I find them a bit clumsy.

 

[meef]

Although "handy", the scout rifle concept is a fast fading fad.

Really....???

That's an interesting statement.

Based upon........???

 

[AK103K]

Savage Scout

SOCOM

 

[kaferhaus]

Really....???

That's an interesting statement.

Based upon........???

based upon SALES....

 

[rbernie]

When slung up hasty-style, their weight distribution enhances offhand shooting for me and the relatively narrow magnified field of view works well in the woods when tracking game both-eyes-open (at the expense of longer shots). YMMV.

 

[meef]

kaferhaus:

Although "handy", the scout rifle concept is a fast fading fad.

based upon SALES...

That's an interesting statement.



You're not selling as many of these as you used to? Or people aren't making their own anymore?

I don't quite understand. Could you give me a link to or quote some actual facts?

It looks to me that some members have posted some pics of some really nice examples. I'm honestly curious as to how you determined it's a "fast fading fad".

 

[mustanger98]

Although "handy", the scout rifle concept is a fast fading fad.

That's an interesting statement.

Based upon........???

He probably based it on this part...

They are indeed fast handling, but I find them a bit clumsy.

It kinda reminds me of this one time I was talking about my tack and wallets with a shoe repairman I was breifly aquainted with... laced wallets and spur straps was what we were talking about. I did, and do, lace. His reaction was "people used to like that ol' lace, but they don't now" and he didn't seem to like it when I answered that with the fact that my clients liked laced items.

 

[ctdonath]

Mine:



Lots of pictures from a class full of them here.

As for "a fading fad"? It never was a really "hot" item, save some popular recognition when the Steyr Scout first came out. It's just not something with mass-market appeal ... but it does have a persistent following. Just because a thing is not a major or ongoing hit does not make it "fading". The scout rifle is a general purpose gun, meaning it is not excitingly optimal for particular uses but comfortingly suitable for all. Expensive, usually custom, almost boringly satisfactory - all factors that fail to excite the masses yet keep a niche market going.

 

[nra_fore_ever]

 

[Husker1911]

NRA Fore Ever, great looking Ishapore. That appears to be a conventional scope. Does it work for you, or might you be looking for a scout specific scope? Not that I've one available, but I know in my own case (see the Mohawk 600 above), I first tried a Burris pistol scope. It didn't work for me, and then I purchased the Burris Scout scope, and I've been more than pleased since.

 

[Legionnaire]

Couple of lever scouts. Top: Marlin 1894S .44 Mag. Bottom: Marlin 336RC .30-30. Range report here.

 

[thereisnospoon]

Here's my home made scout...

...and I can hit clays offhand (using a good hsty/hasty sling) from 50 meters all day long.

Going out of style? Maybe for some-not for me. I am in the process of finishing an Enfield2A as well...really excited about that one.

Hope you have as much fun making yours as I did making mine.

 

[WarMachine]

Excuse my ignorance, but what is the advantage of having the optics forward of the action/receiver?

 

[dfaugh]

No pictures, as its still a work-in-progress (I've just been accumulating parts for the last few months).

Anyway, it'll be an 8mm-06, based on VZ-24 action...With a GOOD recoil pad and a ported barrel (I'm thinkin' its gonna HURT alot otherwise). The only concern I have is with the forward-mount scope-----never shot one, so I don't know how that'll work...Probably gonna use it on a pig hunt, in the spring, witha red-dot scope. Nicknamed (already) as "Thumper"

 

[dm1333]

War Machine

I like scout scoped rifles for a couple of reasons but my small brain may have a hard time explaining it. When I use a scout scoped rifle I look through the scope with both eyes open, so I see the target magnified, but because both eyes are open I have a really wide field of view. I'm looking through the scope but also around it. This means I can pick up on the target quickly even if it is moving. The second reason is that I like the weight forward distribution better. The third is that I am left handed and it allows me to use pretty much any bolt action rifle because with the scope forward I can work the bolt left handed without reaching over the scope. I also like that most of these rifles have iron sights because I would never own a rifle that did not have iron sights of some type.

 

[nra_fore_ever]

Scope is a NCStar 2-7 pistol scope I picked up for $30. The eye relief is great and it would be a perfect scope but it's to long and I won't be able to use a striper clip to reload. I will take a look at the burris scout scope.

Thanks for the compliment on the rifle.

 

[.38 Special]

Cooper's main point with the forward mounted telescope, IIRC, was/is that it allows loading from a stripper clip. Being as few of our Scout rifles have actions capable of that, it kind of becomes a matter of form, IMO.

There are those who argue the forward position makes for faster aquisition or easier target aquisition with both eyes open. This has not been the case for me. I have a Savage Scout (not a "true" Scout, according to the Colonel) with a forward mounted Leupold. This gun is not quite as fast as my Ruger Express rifle with a compact 2.5X low mounted in the "standard" position, not because of scope location, but because of gun fit. The Ruger comes right to my shoulder with the scope in place, while the Savage takes a split second of "hunting" for the reticle. I shoot both guns (all guns) with both eyes open, and with correct gun fit and low scope power, the scope "dissapears".

HTH!

 

[MikeH]

A scout scope doesn't quite go with the classy Mauser look, but it's a decent shooter. Capable of 1.5 - 2 MOA with Yugo surplus ammo.

 

[BillinNH]

Here's my model 38 Mosin Nagant with a B square mount and a NcStar 2x pistol sciope. Easy and inexpensive to do, makes no permanent changes to the gun and works just fine out to 100 yds or so.

Bill

 

[MinScout]

Here's a Mauser-based "phseudo" (sic) Scout I had built a few years ago. I'm a huge fan of Cooper's Scout concept. It just plain works.

 

[AK103K]

The only issue I've had with the forward mounted scope has been with the sun low behind me in the afternoon. It can be hard to see the cross hairs. I have the same problem with peep sights when the light behind me is bright.

Other than that, the forward mounted scope (or red dot) is very fast and easy to shoot with. I dont look for the scope, I look at the target and the cross hairs or dot appear where I'm looking. The sight is not right up in your face and your field of view is wide open.

I have both Burris and Leupold Scout scopes, and I like the Leupold better. They are supposed to be only 0.25X different in power, but the lighter Leupold really makes a difference to me.

While the scopes are nice, I've really become a big fan of the red dot. For fast shooting from 200 yards and in, I dont think they can be beat.

 

[AStone]

Thanks for this thread, MountainBear and others.

There's some fine rifles pictured herein.

As one who is ever-so-slowly creeping towards a scout rifle project or two (first one based on a Marlin 336; perhaps a second one later on some bolt action), I'm reading with interest.

Legionnare, thanks also for your new thread on those lever scout sights. I'm reading there also. I have a couple of questions for you about your rifles, but they'll need to wait until after work.

Oh, crap, work. OK, I'm going back now...

 

[ArmedBear]

based upon SALES....

I'm sure that's why Ruger has expanded their line by adding calibers and stainless guns, and why Leupold makes a matching scope just for the Frontier...

Ruger and Leupold are all about losing money.

If anything seems to be fading fast, it's iron sights on bolt guns. Seems this year Ruger has dropped them except on "Safari" models, and Remington doesn't offer them on any adult Model 7's any more, either.

Ever shoulder a Frontier? Balance is GREAT for offhand shooting. Barrel length might be an issue for some calibers, of course, but it points and holds like a dream.