What rifle to make a "scout" type?

[RebelKangaroo]

Hi there! I'm relatively new to shooting in a major way (been plinking around for years though) and I had the opportunity to shoot my uncle's brand new Steyr Scout. I really like the idea of a scout type rifle but my budget will not support a Steyr by any means and I prefer semi-auto anyway.

So what I'm looking for is:

1. A semi-auto in either .308/7.62 NATO (pretty much interchangeable right?) or 7.62x39mm.

2. Relatively light weight, or at least with a decent selection of composite stocks and the like to help lighten it after the fact

3. Lots of 20-30 round magazine options that don't break the bank (I hear the Ruger magazines are expensive correct?)

4. Reasonably accurate

5. >$1k (so no M1A)

6. Something that won't necessarily take a gunsmith to put together

After searching the forums it seems like my best options would be an M14, SKS, Saiga, Mini 30, or an FN FAL. Could anyone that's done this with any of these give me any advice to help me decide which one?

Are there any guns I'm overlooking that would fit my requirements(not interested in any AR or AK)?

Ultimately, I'm looking to put one together with a synthetic stock and a 16-18" barrel and possibly having it threaded for a sound suppressor.

Thanks.

 

[foob]

M14 = M1A... >$1k.

Why 7.62x39? Effective range is similar to 5.56 NATO, so if you consider SKS, might as well consider AR15. Unless it's just the looks.

Scout rifle should exclude intermediate calibers, like 5.56x45 and 7.62x39.

Saiga 308 is good for price, and quality is not bad.

Good FN FAL might be out of your price range.

How about AR10, or AR15 in 6.5 Grendel. The AR market is huge and customization options are numerous.

Finally, what about just a M1 Garand. Wood and steel, semi-auto, beautiful.

 

[ldp4570]

Scout On A Budget

Have you thought about a Swiss K-31??? All you need to add to it is a St. Marie side mount. Light, accurate, fast followup shots, and with the prices of the rifle, mount, scope, and 400+ rounds your still way under your 1000.00 ceiling.

 

[2Ais4U]

For a scout rifle go bolt and bastardize a Mosin Nagant(but please make sure there is already sumthing wrong with it) or an old crappy Mauser. If you wanna go semi auto, get an M1A its under a grand, or maybe even a good SKS (get a Dragunov style stock and a mag adapter).

 

[2Ais4U]

OR you can get a K-98 Mauser and buy a styer sout rifle stock. http://www.combathunting.com/MAUSER_RIFLE-Mauser_Scout_Style_Stock-.html

GO BOLT ACTION!!! it looks better.

 

[Waywatcher]

I've wanted to get a lever action scout rifle for some time.

You could get one in 30-30--a Marlin 336 with the XS scout scope rail.

 

[H2O MAN]

Ultimately, I'm looking to put one together with a synthetic stock and a 16-18" barrel and possibly having it threaded for a sound suppressor.

You can do it with an M14 type rifle if you take one step at a time.
Start with the best Chinese M14 Sporter you can find. Pick up a USGI synthetic stock and shoot it as is after checking the head space.
Pick up a USGI bolt, bolt parts and have a new 18.0" barrel installed with an UltiMak hand guard and the optic of your choice when you have the $$.

Finding a used Springfield Armory, Inc. Scout within your budget would also do the trick


I started building my MK14 SEI Mod 0 Tactical Scout 7 years ago.... I finished it late last year.

 

[rbernie]

Saiga in 7.62x39. They're inexpensive, shoot ammo that's inexpensive but powerful enough for hunting and CQB, and with an Ultimak scout scope mount they make a great scout platform. You can convert one back to AK configuration for about $150 more than the price of the rifle.

 

[RebelKangaroo]

Thanks for the replies.

To clarify when someone asked about the ammo: the main reason I'm wanting only 7.62x39 or .308 is because the only 2 guns I currently own are chambered in each respectively (AK and a Remington) and I would hate having to carry around more types of ammo when I go to shoot the things. Plus I have a bunch of them on-hand and my uncle handloads the .308.

As for the used Springfield Armory Scout, I've heard there are a bunch of quality issues with them. I'll admit, that's only what I've heard and not any basis for a decision without more research but that's initially why I haven't given it much thought. That and I want a gun to tinker with. That's really the whole point of the project is so I have a good excuse to rip one apart and rebuild it.

 

[Ian]

One you've overlooked (and understandably so) is the VZ-58. Chambered for 7.62x39, they're a bit lighter and probably more accurate than AKs. Fore-end rails are available, for mounting a scout type optic. They're not cheap though - close to $1k with a rail and a few spare magazines.

 

[rbernie]

Saiga in 7.62x39. They're inexpensive, shoot ammo that's inexpensive but powerful enough for hunting and CQB, and with an Ultimak scout scope mount they make a great scout platform. You can convert one back to AK configuration for about $150 more than the price of the rifle.

A Saiga (in this case, chambered in 223) retrofitted back to standard AK configuration with a folding stock and with a forward-mounted Aimpoint:

 

[Funderb]

you can buy scout scope mounts anywhere, for almost any rifle.
m1surplus has some good deals.
scout mounts don't destroy the rifle, but use them correctly,
otherwise you will hate them.