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Ruger/Gunsite Scout Rifle - gunwriters' review

12K views 32 replies 14 participants last post by  MAC702 
#1 ·
Ruger has released their new Gunsite Scout Rifle. The rifle was designed in conjunction with Gunsite and based off Jeff Cooper's concept of what a scout rifle should entail.

Colonel Cooper's idea calls for a rifle of light weight, quick-handling, and chambering in a cartridge suitable for both fighting and hunting. This new offering - the latest evolution of the M77 - is highly adaptable to almost any conceivable role, featuring a 1913 Picatinny rail positioned adequately for either a forward-placed scout scope or any number of holographic or red-dot optics. Further, Ruger saw fit to make standard fixed iron sights such as those found on the Mini-14 and Mini-30. Removal of the rear sight will allow for use of a traditional hunting scope through Ruger's proprietary integral mounts. Notable also is the inclusion of the AC-556 styled flash suppressor (with muzzle threaded to 5/8x24 tpi) detachable in the event one wishes to affix a sound suppressor.

Taking into account the varying builds of the individual, the rifle's length of pull is adjustable by means of three spacers. The stock butt pad is soft and highly recoil absorbent. With a 16.5-in. barrel and chambered for .308 Win. my initial impression was that the rifle would give a brisk kick; that wasn't the case. To my surprise, recoil was negligible and led me to believe that the butt pad is highly shock dampening. The stock is black laminate and has a substantial feel not found in rifles fitted with polymer offerings.

The rifle feeds from either a 5-round or 10-round single stack detachable box magazine, which comes from the Accuracy International and Badger designs. Ruger opted for the single stack over the double with an aim of improving reliability. Releasing the magazine is accomplished through a lever similar to that of the Mini-14/30.






I had the privilege of being invited to a gunwriters' review by Ruger for the unveiling at Gunsite. Needless to say I jumped at the chance. We spent three days at Gunsite - one for the introduction and initial range session, the second spent on our choice of shooting courses; the Scrambler was a blast. Temperatures were in the upper 50s during the day and the nights were in the upper 20s and lower 30s.



At the introduction we also received a Carhartt jacket embroidered with the Ruger label and a Ruger/Gunsite Scout Rifle shirt.




The target is from Ruger's 50-yard testing of the rifle. After 4,170 rounds of Winchester Power Point 180-gr, an accuracy test was performed with 30 rounds and a Leupold scout scope. The result is this following group.
 
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#2 ·
The rifle I was given for review. Mine was fitted with a Burris 2.75 Scout Scope and a Ching Safari Sling. Other participants used rifles in varying configurations, including iron sites, conventional scope setups, and holographic red dots. In excess of twenty rifles were provided by Ruger. Overall length is 38.00 in - 39.50 in. depending on spacers used. Weight is 7 lbs.


The distinctive AC-556 type flash suppressor. The rifling is 6 grooves in 1/10-in. RH twist.


Mag well and trigger group are a single unit. Visible here is the lever magazine release.


Gunsite's logo is prominently displayed on the bottom of the pistol grip.


10-rd metal magazine.


5-rd metal magazine.


The single column magazine.


Loaded.
 
#3 ·
The Gunsite instructors and range officers. Left to right: Il Ling New, Ed Head, Chris Weare, LaMonte Kintsel. All were very helpful. On the first day they all came across as hardasses, but by the third day they were easy to get along with.


One of two racks of rifles.


Il Ling New demonstrating the high ready position and handling of the rifle.


Il Ling instructing on the kneeling position.


And the sitting position.

She knows her rifles.

First group on the firing line, shooter's choice kneeling or sitting.


Jeff Quinn putting the Scout rifle through its paces, offhand.


Mark Gurney from Ruger (at right) and me at left. High ready.
 
#4 ·
Another gunwriter running the Scrambler.


Another stage.


The Scout rifle, fitted with the 10-rd magazine.


And the 5-rd.


Left to right: Michael Bane, myself, and Jeff Quinn.


Three days at Gunsite. Lots of new stuff. Lots of good memorable times. I met a lot of good gun people, shot some new firearms, burned a lot of free ammo - what could be better?

Thanks to Ruger and Gunsite for the opportunity to participate and the experience. It was a blast.
 
#5 ·
Looks like you had a ball...

Color me green with envy. I realize that this is a specific purpose built rifle. Barrel length seems a bit shy to my tastes...but then again I have about zero experience with the shorty's. In a 16.5, 18, 20 ,22, 24" barrel in 308, what are you giving up in going that short. Looks like a heck of a nice package, but I wonder about that. How would it compare to some of the 336/94 30-30's once you get into that short a barrel? I realize bullet choice is much better in the stacked mag.
 
#6 ·
Color me green with envy. I realize that this is a specific purpose built rifle. Barrel length seems a bit shy to my tastes...but then again I have about zero experience with the shorty's. In a 16.5, 18, 20 ,22, 24" barrel in 308, what are you giving up in going that short. Looks like a heck of a nice package, but I wonder about that. How would it compare to some of the 336/94 30-30's once you get into that short a barrel? I realize bullet choice is much better in the stacked mag.
I dont have any exact figures, but i would guess with the shorter barrel it really doesnt lose much, and it should out preform any 30-30 by a good margin.
 
#7 ·
Deadduck,
Nice review and super pictures. I'm wondering though: Why didn;t you throw this review in the thread that Mattsbox started in the forum? Curiouso.....

Good seeing Ed Head in there. It brings back memories - I used to shoot at pistol matches with him in San Diego, back in the 80's.
 
#20 ·
Which scope did you like on the Ruger Scout rifle

I wonder which scope you perfered on the rifle? Both Leupold and Burris make a scout scope but it would have been great to have both there side by side. I read that you can adjust the focus on Burris but not the Leupold, I don't know if it is needed on an extended eye relief scope.

Karl
 
#22 ·
I wonder which scope you perfered on the rifle? Both Leupold and Burris make a scout scope but it would have been great to have both there side by side. I read that you can adjust the focus on Burris but not the Leupold, I don't know if it is needed on an extended eye relief scope.

Karl
I can confirm that there is no focus adjustment on the Leupold Scout Scope. Mine is mounted to an M1A SOCOM 16.

Technically, it is an IER, Intermediate Eye Relief scope, not an EER.

While I can tell you I've never wanted my scope to have a focus, I can't tell you if it might be useful for others. I also have very good vision and do not know what it is like to need glasses, so I don't even know if those are related. I might assume one would be wearing his prescription while using a scout scope as even eyeglasses certainly do not get in the way.
 
#24 ·
Thanks. I wasn't all that enthused when I first heard about it, then I saw it and a little interest perked. Then with Ed Head's insight into the development at Gunsite I wanted to shoot it. While shooting it I didn't want to stop. I was sold and I bought the one at Gunsite.
 
#31 ·
Here are two links to scout scopes

http://www.steyrscout.org/leupold.htm

http://www.burrisoptics.com/specialty.html

Here is a link to the Scour Rifle pages of FR Frog

http://www.frfrogspad.com/

For books which influenced Jeff Cooper in his thinking look for

Sniping in France Hesketh Prichard

A Rifleman Went to War Herbert McBride

With British Snipers to the Reich by C. Shore

Taking Chances and Scouting on Two Continents by Frederick Burnham

The above books will get you headed in the right direction. There are a number of interesting mgazine articles to look for but they are harder to get than a book from the library.
 
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