Ruger Bolt Guns

[Skofnung]

Hey guys. I have another question. I do not have a "modern" bolt action rifle. I have been reading two of Col. Coopers books, and I am sold (at least I want to try it) on the Scout Rifle concept. The only rifles out there now that fit the criteria and are production type guns are Steyr and the Savage. I can't afford a Steyr now, and I am not quite sure about Savage as of yet. (though I have heard many good things about them. Maybe...)

So, this got me to thinking. What about Ruger lightweight rifles?

How do they stack up against the Savage Scout in the quality, accuracy, and reliability departments?

Are there scout mounts available? What about apeture sights?

How are their triggers out of the box?

Any comments on Ruger bolt guns will be helpful, but I would like to know about any of your experiences with the lightweights in .308 if you have any.

Thanks again.

 

[Subby]

I've only got a .300 WinMag and a 77/22 as far as Ruger bolts go, but I'm satisfied with both. I think people get too involved in specifics, rather than concepts. As far as I can perceive, the Scout Rifle is supposed to be an all purpose/general/Swiss Army Knife kind of rifle. Just about any practical deer rifle that's carryable would fit the bill.

Sub

 

[444]

I have a Ruger Ultralight in .30-06 but I can't give you a comparison between it and the Savage. It is a good solid rifle. Accuracy is decent and adequate for hunting. I haven't spent much time developing super accurate handloads for it, but it shoots maybe 1 1/2" at 100 yards. Trigger is OK, nothing great. I see it as a big game hunting rifle and I am perfectly satisfied with it.

Check out this website for information on the scout rifle concept, the Styer and the Savage scout rifles. Scroll down and you will see the scout rifle pages. http://home.sprynet.com/~frfrog/froghome.htm
I personally like the concept of the scout rifle although I dont' own one.

 

[Art Eatman]

In today's world, almost any halfway decently-made rifle will do just fine for accuracy for hunting. The main differences are in fit and finish--which affect cost. Some might need a bit of tuning moreso than others, but it's no big deal.

Lightweight "buggy-whip" barrels commonly heat up quickly and group size can degrade after the third shot. That's unimportant for a hunter.

Reliability? It's pretty rare, really, to hear of parts breaking. Happens, but very infrequently. I've meddled with lots of rifles, through the years, and have never had to replace any part due to breakage.

Art

 

[Skofnung]

Thanks for the replies guys.

So, might I be better served by a Remington Model Seven?

The more I think about it, the less "under 7lbs W/glass & sling" is to me. I would rather have the ability to shoot for longer periods without as much loss in accuracy as Mr. Eatman described with the pencil tubes. This is not to say that I want a bull barrel, but I don't want to have to let the rifle cool off after every five shots when I am at the range.

So what do you think? What rifle would suit me best in your minds?

Thanks again.

 

[444]

Well, if weight isn't important (it is to me), then the choices are wide open. Rem 700, Win Model 70, Ruger 77, Savage, foreign imports.....................

 

[zxc]

Ruger bolt action International. Iron sights, Mannlicher-type stocks.

 

[Snorkel Bob]

If you want a scout style optics setup on a rifle you can go with the Remingtons. Either a model 7 or a 700. Burris makes a bases set-up that uses one set of bases holes and the uses the rear sight holes. Could have your setup then

 

[Futo Inu]

You cannot beat the Savage Scout (10FCM) in .308 or 7mm08 for value! It's got back up ghost ring irons, installed LER mount, Savage accuracy, for under what? 550? My guess is it might need a better trigger is all, but maybe not even that. Only RKBA traitors knowingly buy Ruger, BTW.

 

[Skofnung]

From what I can see, I think I might go with the Savage Scout. Do any of you know if one can be fitted with their Accu-Trigger? That would about make it perfect for me.



Futo Inu, I disagree with you on buying Ruger products. You will not find a more staunch believer in RKBA than me. BUT, I also believe in the free market economy. If Ruger has a superior product to say, brand X, I will go with Ruger over brand X. If not, I will buy brand X.

Bill Ruger Fouled up back in 94, but I think he is dead now, is he not? I doubt if Ruger the company will make that mistake ever again. If they do, then I will boycott. Calling people who buy Ruger RKBA traitors is not a good idea.

Thanks again.

 

[Keith]

The Browning BLR is a Scout Rifle as it comes off the shelf.

It makes weight. It has detachable mags. It's accurate and reliable. You can mount a LER scope on it.

Cooper NEVER said it had to be a bolt gun!

Keith

 

[JNewell]

The Savage is a good rifle and an excellent value. For the heck of it, and just to make sure you're "exercising" the market economy, you should look over the Ruger 77 compact, the Remington Model 7 and the Winchester Classic Compact. There are minor differences in barrel length, weight and stock dimensions -- as well as calibers and materials (synthetic stocks and stainless metalwork). It would be hard to go too far wrong -- buy the one that fits you and your budget.

 

[Johnny Guest]

I like Ruger bolt guns pretty well.

Lemme see - -
Model 77S, .257 Roberts
Model 77R, .30-06
Model 77RL, .30-06
Model 77RS, .338 WinMag

The .257 is just scary accurate.
The lightweight '06 is 'WAY more accurate than it oughta be!
The standard '06 is just a Good Ol' Rifle.
The .338 is, shall we say, rather VIGOROUS in recoil.

Other than the bolt guns, I have an old model Super Blackhawk and a 10/22.

All my Rugers were purchased used. All are worth a lot more than I gave for them.

My Savage Scout .308 is a very impressive little piece, as well. I use a Leupold 2.5 IER scope on mine.

A satisfied user,
Johnny

 

[ClarkEMyers]

Still some cheap Steyr Scouts out there

I have a Steyr Scout in .308 and in .376. For all practical purposes in these calibers the light barrel does just fine after the third shot - notice these are sleeved actions with floating barrels in synthetic stocks. For barrels that bear on the forend, even floating barrels where a floated barrel may bear on wood when hot results will of course differ. I wouldn't shoot these or any heavy calibers at varmints without letting them cool.

For the package price at clearance prices with the change in importers I consider the Steyr a great bargain in a complete go with it package. Not claiming they are worth the full list price at which price point I would look very closely at Ted Yost's Scout packages. For a Scout concept the Ashley (whatever current name mount) or Geoff Benze's work on a Ruger lightweight can't be beat in my not so humble opinion. Then again I also have a Ruger but not a Savage so don't take this as a knock on the Savage just saying the Ruger is plenty good enough.

The Scout might be described as a geezer's rifle; it allows useful offhand results for somebody who is old and tired with tired eyes. The Scout Scope does nothing for low light or long range use - on the other hand, I'd hate to have to kill running jacks with a true sniper's setup.

 

[444]

Clark: Have you ever personally dealt with Geoff Beneze of Beast Enterprises in Tempe Arizona ?

 

[ClarkEMyers]

Nice discussion of an EconoScout on Alphecca

Dierdre, who is an Ishapore R2A---an Indian-manufactured Short Magazine Lee-Enfield Number 1 Mark III, but modified for the 7.62mm NATO cartridge instead of .303 British.

Dierdre's goal is to be a "trunk gun", down and dirty and cheap. The rifle itself cost me $80 from Paul Gallant, who writes for Blue Press and other publications, with Joanne Eisen and Dave Kopel (I knew him before he became famous). A ring around the barrel, made by Ashley Outdoors, provides scope mounting hardpoints for a "Scout Scope" (the gunsmithing to fasten the ring to the barrel cost more than the rifle or the ring).

The scope is a common Bushnell 2X handgun scope, which has about the right eye relief and price ($100).

Personally I got a second take-off wooden stock for my Ruger from folks fitting glass stocks to have one to hack-up. Rumor has it an electric dipstick engine heater in the barrel will break an epoxy bond - I don't vouch for this nor do I vouch for anybody's work but my own and that seldom but there are lots of choices out there and I like the lightweight Rugers immensely - also the standard weight Rugers. Again I find the Scout concept a geezer's rifle, not tactical, not long range, not beanfield but when the choice is stand on your own 2 feet and shoot like a man there is nothing better (or rice paddy squat or ........)

 

[tex_n_cal]

The Browning Micro Hunter is worth a look, too. You can now get them in .300 short mag. I have a .308 - Good ergonomics, slightly slick stock finish, sometimes iffy wood to metal fit, very good accuracy, lightweight.

In Rugers, I prefer the old M77 as I prefer the tang safety - much easier to operate. Were I hunting buffalo or lions I might go for a true Mauser action, but for non-dangerous game I think it's a moot point.