Over many years, gun grandmaster guru Jeff Cooper researched and developed what he called the "scout rifle": an optimal general-purpose gun, described in detail in his book To Ride, Shoot Straight and Speak the Truth; any study of scout rifles should begin with reading that book. First Cooper addressed the problem:
"a general-purpose rifle is a conveniently portable, individually operated firearm, capable of striking a single decisive blow, on a live target of up to 200 kilos in weight, at any distance at which the operator can shoot with the precision necessary to place a shot in a vital area of the target."
Only after properly understanding the problem could the solution be reached. After several Scout Rifle Conferences, he defined the parameters of an optimal solution:
Scout rifle
An optimized general-purpose rifle designed by Jeff Cooper.
Weight-sighted and slung: 3 kilograms (6.6 lb). This has been set as the ideal weight but the maximum has been stated as being 3.5 kg (7.7 pounds ).
Length: 1 meter (39 inches)
Barrel length: .48 meter (19 inches)
Sighting system: Forward and low mounted (ahead of the action opening) long eye relief telescope of between 2x and 3x. Reserve iron sights desirable but not necessary.
Action: Magazine fed bolt action. Detachable box magazine and/or stripper clip charging is desirable but not necessary.
Sling: Fast loop-up type, i.e. Ching or CW style.
Caliber: Nominally .308 Winchester (7.62 x 51 mm) or 7 mm - 08 Winchester (7 x 51 mm), with .243 Winchester (6 x 51 mm) being considered for frail individuals or where "military" calibers are proscribed.
Built-in bipod: Desirable but not mandatory.
Accuracy: Should be capable of shooting into 2 minutes of angle or less at 200 yards/meters (3 shot groups).
(description flagrantly copied from John Schaffer's Steyr Scout page - it's the most concise description I've seen, and is worthy of frequent quotation)
What in your opinion are the features which make this configuration. What do you prefer in one and why. I'm think of building one for some high caliber plinking. 
