Scout Rifle!!

[johnnydollar]

I've wanted to build a Scout Rifle since first reading Jeff Cooper's articles on the subject so many years ago. About a year in the making, here's my FR-8 Spanish Mauser (7.62 x 51mm) in a Hogue synthetic stock, with a Timney trigger and an XS scout scope mount holding a 2.5 x 28mm Leupold scout scope. I hope to take her out for the first time with the new scope this weekend. Please feel free to post your own Scout Rifle pics/stories/experiences here!

 

[Panzerschwein]

How do he way?

 

[ROAshooter]

now that looks like a proper scout rifle...NICE!

 

[200Apples]

.

here's my FR-8 Spanish Mauser (7.62 x 51mm) in a Hogue synthetic stock, with a Timney trigger and an XS scout scope mount holding a 2.5 x 28mm Leupold scout scope

Sounds good to me! Kudos for building your own, too. What's the unloaded weight?

 

[Ibmikey]

Why did you not modify the bolt handle to complete the project?

 

[jim in Anchorage]

No real need to with the forward scope.

 

[bannockburn]

johnnydollar

Nice DIY project! Let us know (and post pics), of how it goes the weekend at the range.

 

[StrawHat]

Why did you not modify the bolt handle to complete the project?

While I can not speak for johnny dollar, I have used both a bent bolt and a straight bolt and at least for me, the straight bolt is quicker to operate.

Kevin

 

[StrawHat]

No real need to with the forward scope.

Only if you plan to use stripper clips to reload.

Kevin

 

[StrawHat]

johnnydollar,

Glad it worked out for you. I built a similar rifle using the Swedish Mauser as the basis. Eventually, I sold the scope and just use the back up sights.

Good luck.

Kevin

 

[jmr40]

Not a fan of forward mounted scopes either, but with that bolt handle it is needed.

 

[Gelgoog]

Very nice. Thats on my list to do. Had a steyr scout jeff cooper edition and it was cool just not 2500 dollars cool.

 

[Mike J]

Let us know how you like it Johnny. I've got an old Spanish 7mm Mauser a guy gave me years ago I have been meaning to do something with. I never quite seem to get around to it. Seeing yours is making me want to get after it.

 

[SlayerOfBunnies]

Only if you plan to use stripper clips to reload.

Kevin

... and if you want quicker target acquisition than you can get with a short eye relief scope. Cooper lays out a number of good reasons to mount a scope that way. I sure like the long eye relief scope I have on my GSR - works great!

 

[johnnydollar]

Thanks for the comments, fellas! To answer a couple of questions, I haven't weighed it yet (though I will before too long), I plan on doing something with the bolt handle over the coming weeks/months (either bend it or cut it off and weld another one on--still undecided), and I do plan on reloading it with stripper clips. I'm also thinking about trying the Ching Sling. (The rifle is a work in progess.)

 

[readyeddy]

You could reverse your sling and loop up with the short side. Maybe lengthen it a bit to fit right.

 

[200Apples]

.
Or if you don't want to add a third sling swivel, you can loop up with a Rhodesian sling from Andy's Leather.

 

[Ibmikey]

NgggI was not being super critical of your project, however, it looks half done with the bolt left un molested. I personally am happy with your future possibility of a change as it should enhance the possibilities to modify the scope configuration if desired. Have a Ruger Gunsite Scout in .223 that your rifle reminds me of except i have my scope mounted in the traditional way. My rifle was given me by my best friend for the express purpose of hunting texas hogs.

 

[Liberty1776]

That's really kind of very neat.... nice project!

 

[The Big D]

I bought one of the new synthetic Rugers recently, and I'm very happy with it. AFAIK it's the only commercial bolt together configuration that meets the scout specs across the board.

I gambled on the RifleCraft sling never having seen one in real life, and I really like it. The reinforcement at the back of the loop makes it a little faster/easier to sling up IMO, and it's light.

 

[johnnydollar]

Big D, I like the looks of your GSR. It looks like a proper scout rifle, especially with the shorter magazine in the gun.

 

[The Big D]

Yeah, the original mag was not really suitable for field use. I have no idea why Ruger doesn't ship it with the 3 or 5 round poly mag - it's lighter too. I guess they're playing the tactical crowd off against the scout rifle people.

 

[The Big D]

What's involved in getting one of those XS sight bases on a gun? I've looked at their website, but I was never quite sure how much gunsmithing was required.

 

[johnnydollar]

We used a propane torch, a hammer, and a stout piece of wood to get mine on. The instructions said it should slide on once things were cleaned up, but this one had to be heated. It's on there good and snug, though.

 

[agtman]

* * About a year in the making, here's my FR-8 Spanish Mauser (7.62 x 51mm) in a Hogue synthetic stock, with a Timney trigger and an XS scout scope mount holding a 2.5 x 28mm Leupold scout scope. I hope to take her out for the first time with the new scope this weekend. * * *

Very nice build, Johnny.

And all I can add is that your FR-8 Scout looks a heck of a lot more robust and durable over the long haul (i.e., one that will see a lot of shooting and hard field-use) than the samples of Savage's "Scout" that I've had the opportunity to handle. Congrats.