Scout Rifle Project

[joshuarwright]

I am in the market for a new rifle, I have been looking at Finnish M39s a lot, as anyone who has seen my posts will know, but I want a project and don't feel like breaking into an M39.

Being that I love the Scout Rifle idea, as defined by Jeff Cooper, I wanted to start with a basic .308 rifle and work from there. Price isn't too big of a deal because I have patience, but bear in mind that it doesn't need to be the best .308 out there because never would I go over 400 meters with it.

I wanted to ask what you guys think would be the best base. What .308 rifles do you own and recommend for this project?

 

[joshuarwright]

oh, and I forgot, what's the story on Weatherby?

 

[Palehorseman]

Other's mileage may vary, but here is what I did with a couple of milsurps. I especially like the Mauser, very accurate for my needs.

See link:

http://hstrial-rchambers.homestead.com/early.html#

 

[jonnyc]

The cheapest and easiest "Scout" is made using an M38 Mosin carbine. The ammo is good and plentiful and the conversion is easily acoomplished.

 

[joshuarwright]

Oh I meant more along the lines of not milsurp. in general. Otherwise I would still be going for the M39.

 

[Rexster]

If you want to make Scout weight, as defined by Col. Cooper, in a turnbolt rifle, well, it will take money. My budget near-scout is a Browning Takedown BLR in .308, when I can afford the mount and scope. My beloved Boston Terrier girl just cost me $800 at the vet, so the scope and mount will have to wait a bit. The rifle ran $650 pre-owned, and with its alloy receiver, is fairly lightweight. The takedown BLRs are D&T'ed for a forward mount, which is available from Browning for around fifty bucks.

 

[joshuarwright]

Rexster: how is Browning as far as reliability in your experience? as far as weight goes it is the one place where I was ready to give leeway, but most scouts fall short on back-up irons and that was one thing I require.

 

[Abel]

I'd go for a Savage 110 from a pawn shop in 308 Win. Then, install XS/Clifton Scout Scope Mount. Many folks agree that a good scout setup has iron sights, often a peep, as a backup. XS has those on their website too.

http://www.xssights.com/store/scope.html

 

[BHP FAN]

I have the Gibbs Quest rifle [SMLE] in the picture above.I can hit the large or small gong at the 200 yard bench with boring regularity, useing hand loads or factory.Not a pleasant rifle to shoot,however.

 

[joshuarwright]

from going to the Savage website I was looking at the Stevens 200, is Stevens just Savage without AccuStuff?

What wasn't pleasant about the Gibbs Quest?

 

[Rexster]

joshuawright, I have not used my older BLR Lightning under really bad conditions, but it feeds reliably. I have yet to fire my Takedown BLR. On another forum, at Leverguns.com, there is a current topic on BLR reliability. Someone posted a reference that was secondhand information, about two with problems, and members posted plenty of replies attesting to their BLRs performing well over time.

 

[Abel]

I was looking at the Stevens 200, is Stevens just Savage without AccuStuff?

Correct. But, for the price of a new Stevens, you can find a used Savage 110 with a wood stock. The wood performs better than the flimsy plastic stock supplied with the new Stevens rifle....and you may get lucky & find one with an accu-trigger.

 

[Welding Rod]

I liked the good Colonel's idea too, until I tried it. I found I just don't like an optic out in front of the bolt.

I don't know if you have handled a Scout setup or not already, but you may want to before spending $... I wish I had.

 

[joshuarwright]

Rod, I actually was turned onto the idea when I fired my friends M38 with a forward mounted scope. But thank you for the advice, I could see myself easily mistaking coolness for usefullness haha.

Abel, I think regardless I would update the stock somehow, whether for weight or for quality.