Ruger/Gunsite Scout Rifle - gunwriters' review

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Gelgoog said:
You don't buttstroke someone with an recoil absorbing (cushioned) adjustable stock, you do it with a metal buttplate.

This is not that great of a SHTF rifle, at least not with the plethora of semi-automatic rifles out there. At best it would make an excellent brush/guide gun.
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If your going to buttstroke someone the solid laminate will inflict more damage than a hollow plastic stock. I think you are referring to a 'Smash'.

We all(well not all) look at an AR or AK(self-loading) as our SHTF arm, I know I do or did but the simplicity and reliability of a bolt gun makes much more sense. I know any firearm can malfunction and needs maintenance but a gas driven firearm is more complicated(internally) and needs more care, a bolt gun just needs less.
 
Ruger discontinued some of older better models that were unique after the Old man died and replaced them with some newer models that everyone else already produces. Funny thing…. after discontinuing all those older outdated models, the stock is still about in the same region.
 
Neat! I've been wanting a frontier model for awhile now. I was holding out cause I wanted iron sights and a detachable box magazine. Now I've got no excuse to wait.
 
This is not that great of a SHTF rifle, at least not with the plethora of semi-automatic rifles out there. At best it would make an excellent brush/guide gun.
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I have to agree here.

We all(well not all) look at an AR or AK(self-loading) as our SHTF arm, I know I do or did but the simplicity and reliability of a bolt gun makes much more sense.
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Maybe to some, but I dont buy into it. For that type weapon, you need one that will do as many things as possible, and be easily resupplied, with both parts and ammo. Only one real choice there, and as much as I prefer the AK over the AR, it aint the AK.

Besides, if it really is the end of the world, I'm doing 99.5% of all my "hunting", big or little, with little wire cables. ;)

I currently have a Savage Scout, and I have or have had a couple of other rifles sort of set up as one in various manners. I do like the concept, and I do like the looks of the new Ruger. Im sure if it remains popular, it will evolve as it grows, even if Ruger isnt involved totally in the evolution.

Personally, if I were to get one, I'd like to see a checkered steel butt plate at the shortest LOP, and a slightly different mag set up. Hey, Savage made it work. Maybe we can get MagPul involved. :)

Oh, and that third sling stud from the factory would really be nice. It is a "scout" after all.
 
Many thanks for the great review. Its been quite a while since a new rifle has excited me.

How is the trigger on this new Ruger Scout?

Does this Ruger Scout give you the ability to shoot one, feed one?
 
Mr. Deadduck, Thanks for sharing pics. Must have been an exciting adventure, especially meeting the gun writers. Who were they, didn't recognize anyone in the photos. Were any of the "big name" writers from the popular magazines there? Also, was Pete Brown mentioned as originator of what's now called the "scout" concept? If not, he should be given credit and deserving mention if you do an article about the new Ruger.
 
Nice thread to the OP. I like the concept of the scout rifle, but I think Ruger should offer it with a synthetic stock...I much prefer the Steyr Scout since it's lighter in weight and it's has the Steyr logo.

I've never owned a Ruger rifle, but my friend has...I'm not to fond of the Ruger action, but I am curious as to how this rifle will perform.

And folks that $995 is MSRP...not many pay MSRP period. I'm guestimating that street prices will be 20-25% less than MSRP.
 
I made a "Scout Rifle" from a Mosin M38. Never liked it much and sold it. In the same vein, my current similar go-to rifles are a No.5 JC, SKS, or AK. The Gunsite Ruger looks nice, but...
 
I checked with my local shop yesterday, and he said probably around $750-800. He also said checking around, although they were listed, he couldnt find one to get.
 
Silly question but.....will this new trigger gaurd/maghousing/release work on older M77 rifles to allow them to use these 10 shot magazines or removable 5 shot?

-kBob
 
Thanks for the review. This rifle is what I was thinking about buying but I could not find one. Now one exists in a price range some people could afford. I gave my son my 308 Enfield and my M1A has not had a little sister since.
 
That seems to be a pretty nice rifle, but my next rifle is going to be a Ruger Model 77 Compact in 7mm-08 or .308. It is a little shorter and lighter. No iron sights, but for what I will use it for, it won't matter.

As I get older, the rifles get heavier.
 
Ruger seems to have made a neat rifle, although I can't say that I would be a buyer for a few reasons.

First of all I don't see much point in a flash suppressor on a bolt action .308, nor do I care for the idea of only a 16.5" bbl. If I am going to have the extra length of the silly flash suppressor anyway I'd just as soon have an 18" or 19" bbl. Thread the end of that slightly longer barrel so I can attach a sound suppressor if I choose to, and I'd be happy.

Second I don't really know that I care for the length of the single column magazine where a staggered column magazine would work just fine, like all the other M77 rifles have.

I would prefer a good synthetic stock of fiberglass, kevlar, and aluminum bedding block construction. I'd even pay extra for it.
 
Sheepdog1968 said:
Many thanks for the great review. Its been quite a while since a new rifle has excited me.

How is the trigger on this new Ruger Scout?

Does this Ruger Scout give you the ability to shoot one, feed one?
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We really didn't get time to play with it like you and I would on a bench at the range, it was more like do this - do that - fire, but I didn't have any complaints with the trigger. I will be getting one hopefully next week for T&E and will be able to play with it more.
 
Offfhand said:
Mr. Deadduck, Thanks for sharing pics. Must have been an exciting adventure, especially meeting the gun writers. Who were they, didn't recognize anyone in the photos. Were any of the "big name" writers from the popular magazines there? Also, was Pete Brown mentioned as originator of what's now called the "scout" concept? If not, he should be given credit and deserving mention if you do an article about the new Ruger.
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The list was large, I think there were like 30 people there, some hunting magazine writers(outdoor life, etc;), gun magazine writers, tv gun hosts, internet writers. A couple of picks show Jeff Quinn from gunblast.com and then of course Michael Bane from downrange.tv .

Not sure if Pete Brown was mentioned but Cooper was .
 
aubie515 said:
Nice thread to the OP. I like the concept of the scout rifle, but I think Ruger should offer it with a synthetic stock...I much prefer the Steyr Scout since it's lighter in weight and it's has the Steyr logo.
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They thought of the synthetic stock but decided to go with the solidness of a laminated one.

The Gunsite Scout should sell for about half the price of the Steyr. It also has Gunsite logo.
 
Coal Dragger said:
Ruger seems to have made a neat rifle, although I can't say that I would be a buyer for a few reasons.

First of all I don't see much point in a flash suppressor on a bolt action .308, nor do I care for the idea of only a 16.5" bbl. If I am going to have the extra length of the silly flash suppressor anyway I'd just as soon have an 18" or 19" bbl. Thread the end of that slightly longer barrel so I can attach a sound suppressor if I choose to, and I'd be happy.

Second I don't really know that I care for the length of the single column magazine where a staggered column magazine would work just fine, like all the other M77 rifles have.

I would prefer a good synthetic stock of fiberglass, kevlar, and aluminum bedding block construction. I'd even pay extra for it.
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They wanted it to be as short and compact as legally possible, with the option for a flash suppressor or sound suppressor.

The single stack mag design was for simplicity and reliability.

The laminated stock is solid vs a hollow plastic, better for reducing felt recoil, fighting and feel.
 
Bleh, a 16.5" bbl with a goofy flash suppressor is just as long as an 18' or 19" bbl that will net more velocity, in fact a 16.5" bbl in a .308 is in my book pretty worthless.

If they couldn't get a staggered column magazine to work maybe they should have hired more talented engineers, or spent more money on one that was reliable. My old Steyr Scout worked great and had a staggered column magazine.... I still kick myself for letting that stick go. Guess I'll just have to buy another one some day.

Where did I say anything about desiring a hollow injection molded plastic stock? I said I would prefer a nice fiberglass, and kevlar unit with an aluminum bedding block. As for the "fighting" advantages of a laminated stock vs even a plastic stock...... well that is about the dumbest reason I have ever heard. In my entire time in the USMC infantry, including a tour in Iraq in 2004, I never once felt let down by the plastic stock on my M16A4. That hollow plastic stock held up just fine to the bayonet range, and even one uncooperative Iraqi just fine thank you. All that aside a compact rifle is about the least ideal club I can think of, and if it came down to hand to hand fighting and I had my choice between a scout rifle with no ammo, and a sharp pointy stick.... I'd take a sharp pointy stick.
 
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