Scout rifle versus SCAR 17

[bikemutt]

I've been looking over a very nice Steyr scout rifle in 308, stainless threaded barrel. Then it occurred to me, what can this rifle do that my SCAR 17 can't? OK, I'll bite, JAM.

I've heard the Steyr is quite accurate, but so is the SCAR. Lightweight, same. Ammo capacity, about the same, no reload for SCAR. OK, the stock opening to a bipod is way cool, advantage Steyr. Recoil: SCAR I know well, very little. I've found bolt 308s have more recoil than the SCAR but nothing crazy, who knows with a lightweight bolt gun.

Price wise it doesn't matter since I already own the SCAR, would these two complement each other? Sell the SCAR, buy the Steyr? Stay put?

Thanks THR.

 

[primalmu]

Buy a Remington 700 or Savage .308 and equip it the same as a Steyr for a fraction of the cost?

 

[amflyer]

The weight is not the same. The SCAR comes in at almost 8 lbs without optic. The scout will be around 7 with optic and sling. The scout has a very good trigger. The scout has a three point Ching sling that greatly improves hitting ability from supported positions. The ergonomics are better with the Scout.

This is from someone that has the Scout and not the SCAR. You'll have to temper your perceived need for the new rifle with whatever task you put it up to. I'd hunt with the Scout in a heartbeat over the heavier and less handy auto.

Good luck.

 

[PBR Streetgang]

Did you look at the Savage scout rifle?

 

[redbullitt]

I really like the ruger GSR. Not a purest scout rifle, but it is a heck of a catch all/hunting rifle.

I put an XS rail and sights on it, 5 round AI mag, removed the flash hider for a thread protector to shorten it up a bit.

A vortex 1-4 rides on top in QD rings, sights still on the rifle.

Excellent rifle and very happy with it.

 

[4thPointOfContact]

It's not a matter of performance, it's about visibility.

A .30-30 Winchester has very similar ballistics to a 7.62x39 (at short, reasonable range) but a lever action 'deer rifle' won't raise nearly as many eyebrows as an AK with a 30-round 'banana clip' sticking out the bottom.

A man with a bolt action tramping through the woods is probably a hunter or forager. A man with a camo'ed up FN, AR or whatever is someone that's going to have a great deal more attention paid to him. Same with wearing muted green/brown plaid instead of Multicam or Kryptec.

 

[bikemutt]

Buy a Remington 700 or Savage .308 and equip it the same as a Steyr for a fraction of the cost?

Heavier though.

 

[bikemutt]

The weight is not the same. The SCAR comes in at almost 8 lbs without optic. The scout will be around 7 with optic and sling. The scout has a very good trigger. The scout has a three point Ching sling that greatly improves hitting ability from supported positions. The ergonomics are better with the Scout.

This is from someone that has the Scout and not the SCAR. You'll have to temper your perceived need for the new rifle with whatever task you put it up to. I'd hunt with the Scout in a heartbeat over the heavier and less handy auto.

Good luck.

The stock SCAR trigger is terrible which is why mine wears a Timney, vast improvement, and paid for.

 

[primalmu]

The Savage Scout weighs in at 6.75 lbs naked. The Steyr weighs 6.6 lbs naked. If you are quibbling over 0.15 lbs you're probably nuts. What you had for dinner the night before would make more of a difference in total weight.

Besides, at least IMHO, the Steyr Scout looks like it was beaten with the ugly stick.

 

[MistWolf]

I tried to like the Scout Rifle concept when my hero Jeff Cooper was developing it. I just couldn't. At the time, I felt the M14 would suit my purposes better although it's a heavier rifle. Now, I've added the AR and the FAL to that list.

bikemutt, I wouldn't sell a SCAR to buy a Steyr Scout. I'd just buy the Scout. It doesn't matter if the two rifles compliment each other. If you want a Steyr Scout, go buy it and shoot it-a lot!

 

[Willie Sutton]

"Then it occurred to me, what can this rifle do that my SCAR 17 can't?"


Hunt in every state in the USA that permits rifles to be used.

Hunt in Canada.

Be posessed in all 50 states without problems.

Be taken to Africa as an excellent plains game hunting rifle.


It all depends on what you want to do with it.....


Willie

.

 

[tomrkba]

Price wise it doesn't matter since I already own the SCAR, would these two complement each other? Sell the SCAR, buy the Steyr? Stay put?

You are posing this question on The High Road and expect an answer other than "Keep the SCAR and buy the Steyr"?

Obviously, they're tools for different jobs.

There are reasons to buy a bolt gun. The only two I can think of are accuracy and long range shooting. The SCAR is likely very accurate, but is also likely not as capable of shooting as tight, repeatable groups. Some of the other posters mentioned various forms of legality...which makes sense given the current set of laws.

 

[bikemutt]

The Savage Scout weighs in at 6.75 lbs naked. The Steyr weighs 6.6 lbs naked. If you are quibbling over 0.15 lbs you're probably nuts. What you had for dinner the night before would make more of a difference in total weight.

Besides, at least IMHO, the Steyr Scout looks like it was beaten with the ugly stick.

I'd never heard of the Savage Scout, I'll check it out.

 

[Sunray]

The whole 'Scout' rifle concept was one of Jeff Cooper's more stupid ideas. A bolt action .308 with a very long eye relief scope is idiotic. Certainly never be used by any military PBI recce type. And the felt recoil as muzzle blast of a .308 out of a 6.6 pound rifle will be astounding.
Your SCAR is a big kid's toy. I'd keep it just because it'll annoy the Brady Bunch et al.
"...Hunt in Canada..." You'd be arrested and turned over to Homeland Security for attempting to bring a prohibited firearm into Canada.

 

[ugaarguy]

And the felt recoil as muzzle blast of a .308 out of a 6.6 pound rifle will be astounding.

No it won't, and no it isn't. Years ago as a 150 lb teen I hunted with a Winchester Model 70 Featherwight. That rifle weighed 6.5 lbs unloaded before it was scoped. It fit me well and perceived recoil was no more than heavier bolt rifles belonging to friends that I also shot. My 20" bbl with flash hider Colt SP1 in 5.56 NATO had far louder muzzle blast.

The whole 'Scout' rifle concept was one of Jeff Cooper's more stupid ideas. A bolt action .308 with a very long eye relief scope is idiotic. Certainly never be used by any military PBI recce type.

If the goal is a lightweight rifle that can be carried all day and primarily intended for quick acquisition of medium game, but that could be used for defense if needed the Scout concept is brilliant. If you don't like the jack of all trades but master of none nature of the Scout then it's not for you. That doesn't make it idiotic though.

"...Hunt in Canada..." You'd be arrested and turned over to Homeland Security for attempting to bring a prohibited firearm into Canada.

Read more carefully. Willie is saying that hunting is Canada is something one CAN do with a turn bolt repeater, but NOT do with the SCAR.

 

[HorseSoldier]

What is either rifle for? They are so apples and oranges as to defy the idea of getting rid of one to get the other for the same niche.

 

[bikemutt]

And the felt recoil as muzzle blast of a .308 out of a 6.6 pound rifle will be astounding.

I'd have to agree with ugaarguy. I had a Browning BLR in .308 that weighed in at 6 lbs 8 oz, and figured that thing was going to kick my shoulder to the next county the first time I had it out. Not so, very well mannered, controllable recoil, accurate as all get out too. I had plans to hunt with it but the darn thing was just too pretty, sold it to a buddy who lusted after that thing from day one.

 

[bikemutt]

What is either rifle for? They are so apples and oranges as to defy the idea of getting rid of one to get the other for the same niche.

They would both go to the range regularly and be expected to shoot accurately out to say 200 yards. They would both be used for hunting game up to hog size (I know, some hogs are huge).

I always have figured if civil society turned uncivil, I'd reach for the SCAR first.