Ruger/Gunsite Scout Rifle - gunwriters' review

[KadicDeshi]

You've mentioned the "hollow" stocks a couple of times now; but Ruger has a synthetic stock that is not hollow, looks to be fairly sturdy (I've never handled one, unfortunately, so I can't attest to that) and, I think, would be just the ticket to reduce the weight of the rifle to Cooper's criteria. I've attached an image file of the stock.

The image is a long action and is from Numrich's website (in other words, not mine). I used it because it's the best image I could find.

If I recall correctly, this stock would not work with the Frontier rifle. I'm curious if it will work with this rifle.

Something else I'm curious about: Why did Ruger build both the Frontier and Gunsite scouts with such short barrels when Cooper's criteria called for a 19" barrel? As I recall, Cooper touted this as the best mix of compactness and efficiency for the cartridge.

Barrett

 

[Coal Dragger]

^ That is the old Ruger synthetic stock for the M77 and they were horrible to shoot. One of those could make a mild mannered .243 unpleasant.

 

[deadduck357]

^ That is the old Ruger synthetic stock for the M77 and they were horrible to shoot. One of those could make a mild mannered .243 unpleasant.

Agree with you on that.

 

[IlikeSA]

How were the iron sights with it? Were they ghost rings similar to the current AR sights or more similar to the M1 sights? Did they flip up and down with a smaller ring and larger ring?

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

Boys and girls, it is not the design of the stock that make a rifle kick more (like the .243 mentioned above), it is the fact that if you reduce weight on a high powered rifle, it IS going to recoil more. Any 6.6lb. scout rifle (optimum desired weight, rarely achieved) is going to kick......a lot. Personally, I don't mind, and even expect, that recoil. It is the price paid for having a rifle that you might forget you have straped to your back.

 

[Art Eatman]

The fit of the stock and the quality of the butt pad will affect perceived recoil. My 700Ti in 7mm08 weighs 6.5 pounds fully dressed, loaded and ready to hunt. Basically, the 7mm08 is a .308 with ten grains less bullet weight. The recoil at the bench is noticeable but not bad at all--and I'm on the skinny side with an arthritic right shoulder.

Offhand? No problem at all. The stock fits me quite well, and the butt pad is good.

 

[Sheepdog1968]

What kind of safety does it have? Cooper didn't like the wing kind of safeties on Winchesters and Rugers and had a preference for the type on Rem 700s (my understanding from his writings in Gunsite Gossip circa 1922).

The only two or three simple changes I plan to make to it would be
1. Addition of a very small one slot picatinny rail so I can mount a small surefire flashlight.
2. Addition of a bayonet lug. If it ever came to inside the home defense the distances involved are typically three to five paces. I would like the option of putting something pointy on the end.

 

[deadduck357]

The current M77 3 position safety.

 

[TexAg]

How is the rear sight attached? Via the same slotted screw you can use a nickel on that are used for the rings?

 

[deadduck357]

How is the rear sight attached? Via the same slotted screw you can use a nickel on that are used for the rings?

I think it was a hex bolt.

 

[Art Eatman]

Sheepdog, you're not a disciple of Gecko45's, are you?

 

[Sheepdog1968]

Sheepdog, you're not a disciple of Gecko45's, are you?

I'm not sure who Gecko45 is. I've been very fortunate that Loui Awerbuck comes to Santa Clara, CA frequently (Reeds) and I've taken a lot of the courses he offers. He worked at Gunsite and knew Jeff Cooper for over 30 years. This year I am going to go to Gunsite and start with their pistol class. I can't wait. I don't know if this indirectly answers you question.

 

[Sam1911]

This year I am going to go to Gunsite and start with their pistol class. I can't wait. I don't know if this indirectly answers you question.

Possibly. When you go, ask them how long a bayonet they recommend for home defense. Curious to hear their suggestions.

 

[Sheepdog1968]

Possibly. When you go, ask them how long a bayonet they recommend for home defense. Curious to hear their suggestions.

I know its a contraversial topic and I've gotten a variety of responses when I've asked various people over the years. Given the size of most homes, goblins are but a few steps from grabbing a long arm. My plan is to hunker down and not go looking for them so the increased length really isn't an issue. I will happily call the police and let them do their job. At least if I have a lug on it, it's an option.

I should also add, I'm not placing one on my pistol.

 

[1KPerDay]

Wonder why they didn't just use M14/M1A or AR10 mags... that would have made more sense.

 

[Art Eatman]

1KPerDay, I imagine they want to sell proprietary magazines. More profit, that way...

Sheepdog, the Gecko was among several who had to "tacticalize" any and all weaponry. Seriously, though, there's more to it than just the lug. Gotta factor in the size and location of the bayonet's muzzle ring, as well.

 

[68wj]

^ That is the old Ruger synthetic stock for the M77 and they were horrible to shoot. One of those could make a mild mannered .243 unpleasant.

I actually like mine. Feels very solid and recoil is no worse than any other .270 that I have fired. It would be interesting to see the Gunsite rifle stocked with it, but I am also a fan of that dark laminate.

 

[taliv]

Wonder why they didn't just use M14/M1A or AR10 mags... that would have made more sense.

it's not proprietary (or if it is proprietary, it's being licensed to several other companies). they are made by a different company (Accuracy International) and also several 3rd parties including Badger and Alpha.

And the reason is because single stack magazines are more reliable than double stack magazines, including both types you mentioned.

 

[minutemen1776]

Well, I guess I'll let the rest of you have a go at Ruger's newest version of the Scout rifle concept. I've never cared much for the idea in the first place, and Ruger's creation seems to have a number of its own unique detractors. Personally, I was hoping that the big announcement was going to be a 9mm LCR, but I knew that was a longshot. Oh well.

On another note, I find it interesting that companies are still attempting to produce a concept weapon devised by Jeff Cooper so many years ago. If they were that utilitarian, I suspect that the market would have made these odd rifles more popular, but that hasn't been the case. Instead, they're marketed toward the high end of the market, with names like Steyr and Gunsite, simply to appeal to gun enthusiasts. I just wonder how long the Ruger version stays in production. I'm guessing that the real demand for a rifle like this will be satisfied fairly quickly. Perhaps I'm wrong, but I have to wonder if Scout rifles would be made in any numbers at all if the idea wasn't connected to Jeff Cooper, who talked it up incessantly in his G&A column.

 

[AK103K]

On another note, I find it interesting that companies are still attempting to produce a concept weapon devised by Jeff Cooper so many years ago. If they were that utilitarian, I suspect that the market would have made these odd rifles more popular, but that hasn't been the case. Instead, they're marketed toward the high end of the market, with names like Steyr and Gunsite, simply to appeal to gun enthusiasts

Something I've noticed the last few years is, there doenst seem to be any kind of "new" thought on a lot of things and maybe with 2012 approaching, everything is coming full circle, and the end really is near.

Movies are the perfect example here, as they dont seem to be able to make "new" movies, just remakes of the old ones. What, you didnt see "True Grit" or the "Taking of Pelham 123" the first time? Do you think "The Mechanic" will be something new?

Maybe its the same with guns too. Look at how so many cling to the M1 and M14/M1A, or 1911, etc, and we keep reinventing them, instead of moving on.

Another thing may have a lot to do with who has the money, or money to spare now (think the "baby boomers" +/-), what they grew up with, and how things are geared towards it. Look at how popular Harleys are now, and most of the riders are not "bikers", the bikes arent cheap, and they have sold a ton of them. Same can be said for a lot of the higher end rifles and pistols. Ever notice the people who have them and post pics, usually show tricked out guns that look pristine, and show little use.

 

[CraigC]

I like it, didn't expect to but I do. Is it me or does the rear sight look like an NECG model? I always liked the Frontier rifle too but couldn't get along with its short LOP.

As for the price, well, if this Ruger sells for 75% of MSRP like the rest of them do, that comes out to ~$750 by my rudimentary calculator (brain) and that is about half what a good M1A costs. Not to mention at least two pounds lighter.

 

[goon]

And the reason is because single stack magazines are more reliable than double stack magazines, including both types you mentioned.

I mean this as a sincere question because I've never owned a bolt action that didn't use a double stack magazine, but is this really a concern in a bolt action? I've only had one bolt action that ever gave any difficulty feeding, but I think that was more because it just had a defective magazine than because it was double stack.

I guess the Mosins I've owned were single stack, but for the purpose of this discussion I think they're a different animal.

 

[kjaniak]

I agree 100%. Designing this thing to take M1A mags would have made perfect sense. I like the concept and style but the ability to use M1A magazine would have sold me on it for sure.

This reminds me of the Mini 14 not being designed to use standard AR magazines. The proprietary magazines deal hurts them (in my opinion) with the Mini and I bet it's a turn off to more than a few people on this gun as well. I like the concept of interchanging magazines between platforms. This gun would have been perfect for that (again, just an opinion). In a SHTF gun like someone said this was designed for...that magazine concept is a huge fail. SHTF and proprietary magazine do not mix at all. You want to be piggy backing what will be laying all over the ground or in every camp/compound and that's AR/AK/M1A/FAL magazines. Just an opinion.

 

[J.Boyette]

Questions,

What was the point of the sling if no one used it?

What size group is that at 50yds?

What kind of a ZERO did they have you all run?

Where the rings quick detach, or not?

I am shocked the Gunsite would let these pictures be let out. It does not look good from my point of view at all. The non-use of the Ching Specialty Sling is a lack of training or a lack of knowing how to deploy a system. The whole point of having the Ching Specialty Sling is for kneeling, sitting and off hand.

That group, at 50yds makes me not want to buy a $900 rifle. At that price that shot group should be a lot tighter and 50yds.

Just no a good showing of the rifle at all. It looks cool, until you look at it with open eyes.

 

[Gelgoog]

This reminds me of the Mini 14 not being designed to use standard AR magazines. The proprietary magazines deal hurts them (in my opinion) with the Mini and I bet it's a turn off to more than a few people on this gun as well. I like the concept of interchanging magazines between platforms. This gun would have been perfect for that (again, just an opinion). In a SHTF gun like someone said this was designed for...that magazine concept is a huge fail. SHTF and proprietary magazine do not mix at all. You want to be piggy backing what will be laying all over the ground or in every camp/compound and that's AR/AK/M1A/FAL magazines. Just an opinion.

please read the thread before posting. The magazine is not proprietary, it is the same magazine that Accuracy international weapons use, and they chose it because of it reliability.

Ruger tried to use standard milsurp mags like the M14 but experienced feeding issue and decided against them particuarily because of the varying quality of mags out there. This is indeed a good idea of their part because of the problems they experienced with the mini-14 ( as in people buying cheap aftermarket magazines like pro-mag and would subsequently experience problems blaming it on the rifle), if Ruger limits the design to only proven magazines they they will not have that issue.

Most people, especially those new to guns and fudds would not know a quality mag if you slapped them in the face with one. Using a proven magazine like those from AI will not only help their image as being a good rifle, but will prevent lots of people from sending their rifle back to the factory for "feed issues" because they were running a cheap TrippleK M-14 magazine in their scout.