Ruger Frontier Rifle

[GoGopher]

I have been looking for a rifle on which to mount an Leupold Intermediate eye relief scope that I already own. The Ruger Frontier Rifle is my current favorite option. Anyone have helpful input one way or the other concerning this rifle?

http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/FAProdView?model=17914&return=Y

Does anyone have another suggestion for a rifle that might be a better, or cheaper, or more fun, or (you fill in the blank)?

 

[rbernie]

I have been looking for a rifle on which to mount an Leupold Intermediate eye relief scope that I already own.

OK - so now I know that I'm not the only guy that chooses a rifle to justify an optic, or so forth.

The Ruger Frontier Rifle is my current favorite option. Anyone have helpful input one way or the other concerning this rifle?

I have a blue/laminate Frontier chambered in 7mm08, and am very fond of it. It handles really well, has excellent build quality, and does exactly what I want in a short/medium range bolt action carbine.

About the only thing that I do not like is the price. For some reason, the blued/laminate 308 version sells for $650 or thereabouts, and I think that's silly. I bought my 7mm08 for $500, and I was OK with that price point.

 

[ArmedBear]

"More fun?"

Define that?

Other options that come immediately to mind are:

BLR takedown (kinda steep, but offers a few things the Ruger doesn't, including a 20" barrel in the same weight): http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/family.asp?webflag_=003B&catalog_=B

Any Marlin centerfire lever gun with this mount (probably most fun for the lowest price):
http://www.xssights.com/store/scope.html

Moving up the price scale, an AR with a really nice free-float handguard, or the VLTOR-thingie. Various Springfield M1A models that work with IER scopes. Okay, WAY up the price scale, even vs. the Browning.

I really like the little Ruger Frontier, but I'd only want the expensive Stainless version, and I'm not all that keen on putting -08 rounds through a 16" barrel. I'd like to see some ballistics. It's a helluva neat little hunting rifle, but I'm not sure that it's so much a "fun gun" as it is immensely practical for hunting. I may well get one, still, though Ruger's frequent and egregious price increases are a major turn-off.

 

[SGW42]

Can you guys educate me on the benefits of these types of scope configurations?

Seems like on certain rifles the scope almost has to be mounted forward of the action, but as seen above this is also done on standard bolt actions.

 

[ArmedBear]

Try one!

With one of these scopes, you can look at the target, bring the rifle up, with both eyes open, and, if the gun fits, you will see the target in the crosshairs. You keep your peripheral vision, and eye relief isn't a concern. Works on moving targets, too.

Essentially, it's a way to get shotgun-like pointing, some magnification, and the accuracy of a fine scope reticle, all in one package. It works.

It's more precise and good for longer ranges than irons, and it's quicker and more effective for snap-shooting and moving targets than a regular scope.

I don't think it's the universal answer to every hunting situation, but it provides functionality that has nothing to do with the action type.

 

[El Tejon]

SGW, the forward mounting allows easier snap shooting, allowing both eyes to be properly opened during shooting, ease of manipulation of the weapon (loading/unloading, etc.), avoidance of the "hunter's ribbon" over one's eye, inter alia.

Have you heard of Jeff Cooper? I recommend this book at your next gun show: http://www.amazon.com/Ride-Shoot-Straight-Speak-Truth/dp/0873649737. Mr. Cooper, rest in peace, detailed the Scout rifle concept including the advantages of the forward mount of the optic in a chapter in that book.

 

[jkingrph]

I have one of those scopes mounted on a Marlin Guide gun with an XS mount. It is very good, secure and accurate.

 

[SGW42]

Very cool information, thanks to all.

I have heard of Jeff Cooper but had not studied much on the scout rifle concept (which is what I'm looking into as I type this. )

 

[El Tejon]

This may help: http://home.netcom.com/~chingesh/scoutrifle.html#What

 

[FFMedic]

I have been looking at one of these as a scout rifle. 17" BBL with .30-06!!!

http://www.mauser.org/rifles/m63 tanker/index.htm

 

[ArmedBear]

Cooper, rest in peace, detailed the Scout rifle concept including the advantages of the forward mount of the optic in a chapter in that book.

Yeah, but IMO you can learn a lot more just by shouldering one, especially if you have experience with wing or clay shooting, and decide for yourself. I happen to think a forward-mounted scope is a pretty cool compromise between the various benefits and costs of irons vs. scopes. But if you don't like the things, or if you want to shoot antelope at 400 yards, it really doesn't matter worth a hill of beans what Jeff Cooper thought of 'em.

 

[rbernie]

I have a couple of Marlins set up with a forward-mounted scope; one in 35 Remmie and one in 30-30.

Frankly, I prefer the simplicity of a boltgun, and the fact that its performance envelope is a bit broader (due to its supported chamberings) than my leverguns. The fact that the boltgun is lighter than the Marlin by a good bit doesn't hurt, either.

Then again, my 30-30 was $250 and my 35 Remmie was $200. That cost difference will pay for a lot of ammo.

 

[rbernie]

HA! One of my FLG's had a wall full of Ruger Frontiers when I walked in this morning. They had 308s, 7mm08s, and 243s - all for $490 each...

I had to walk out with the 308 - there was no way to leave that rifle there at that price.

Dang, I'm a happy guy right now.