Tactical "Scout" Rifle...

[Diggers]

A scout rifle is anti-specialization?? That list I read of what a scout rifle is sure seemed specialized to me. He had all sorts of rules of what could be and couldn't be.

I kind of don't get the concept, is a "scout rifle" supposed to be a do all rifle? Is there such a thing really?

From the discription of what a scout rifle "should be" to me it really just sounds like a short hunting rifle that can take large game.

 

[El Tejon]

No, not "do all", but "do generally".

Short, light, handy (swagger stick), easy to manipulate and to use effectively, yet powerful.

http://home.netcom.com/~chingesh/scoutrifle.html

 

[Malamute]

"I don't see why there's not any room for a little fudging on the specs. I built a scout rifle to fit my needs like others an am happy with the results. A few ounces here and lack of something there really not a big deal if it fits your needs."



I agree, tho it seems like there is often a lot of bending at times, and still trying to shoehorn it into the title. A "pseudoscout" is a close approximation, with some fudgeing becayse of practical considerations such as cost, or available guns to work with, or just personal preference.



"A scout rifle is anti-specialization?? That list I read of what a scout rifle is sure seemed specialized to me. He had all sorts of rules of what could be and couldn't be. "



The "general purpose" concept is a rifle that is easily carried, (thus the weight/size parameters) so you will always have it with you when in the field, powerful enough to hunt game up to elk size, or kill a horse if needed, and have the range to be able to shoot well as far as the shooter is able. It is also a capable rifle as a fighting rifle, being fast handling, and in original concept able to reload with stripper clips, (part of the reason for a forward mounted scope, the another reason is for being able to carry it with the hand around it comfortably at the balance point), the low power (2x or 3X)scope is simpler and more reliable than adjustable powers, and is very fast to use. It is deemed "enough" power for 300 yard (+) shooting.


There is more thought in the concept, most of it seems very practical for someone that actually gets out in the field and carries their gun around on a regular basis. Think, "as handy as a Winchester 94 carbine, with more precision and power".


No, it isn't a rule that it HAS to be exactly as concieved, but then again, if it gets far from the conception, it isn't really a "scout". It's a a "pseudo scout" or "sort of like a scout in some ways".


Just like an M1 carbine isn't really an AR-15, tho you can call it one, and they have some things in common.

 

[3006mv]

So were you able to find a scout base for your CZ? I have the .223 527FS but cannot find a way to mount a scout base to it. I was able to do it on the 452 CZ Scout .22lr though and put a Bushnell sportsman red dot on it. I also just aquired a .308 Savage Scout model 10FCM and just mounted a NcSTAR 2-7x32 IR on see through rings. I hope it holds up. For a rifle I may only shoot a few times a year I figured good enough on the scope, I can spend the extra cash on ammo and reloading supplies. I do want to take it out for next years deer season though.

 

[H2O MAN]

Kalashnikov: Tactical "Scout" Rifle...

My Heavy Duty Tactical "Scout" rifle: SEI CRAZY HORSE® US NAVY MK14 MOD 0

Wire Electro Discharge Machine (EDM) 30mm Rings, MIL STD 1913, Low, NSN 1005-01-535-4374.
Burris 2-7x32 Handgun Scope with Ballistic Plex reticle.

 

[bartsimpson123844]

Holy hell, you have a MK14?? That must have cost an arm and a leg.

....I bet it was worth it though, eh? That is the sweetest scout rifle I have ever seen.

 

[H2O MAN]

Holy hell, you have a MK14?? That must have cost an arm and a leg.

....I bet it was worth it though, eh? That is the sweetest scout rifle I have ever seen.

Thanks. My MK14 SEI adventure started when I purchased my very 1st M14 type rifle in 2001, a problematic scout squad.
What you see took a few years to put together. Lee Emerson lead me to Ron Smith and IMHO, the results are well worth the investment

 

[Groucho_]

The Colonel's params for the "scout rifle" defined a .308 Winchester or similar powered round. IMHO, a scout in 7.62x39 doesn't quite meet the standards. Still, it's a free country.

For a cheap scout, I personally would build a sporterized military surplus rifle such as a Mauser, Enfield, or Mosin-Nagant. My personal preference is for the Mosin-Nagant. For this option I recommend purchasing a mismatched "fix-me-up" 91/30 and going to town. Another option would be finding a barreled action with no home, and giving it a nice new stock to settle in. The heavier barrel of the 91/30 provides greater accuracy potential, and it can be cut down in length and recrowned to meet the scout specs. The 91/59's are well known for their accuracy and they are little more than cut down 91/30's made in 59.

From here you're going to need a scope/mounting solution. S&K makes probably the best dollar for dollar mounting solution available for the military surplus rifle. From there pick a scope you feel comfortable with and can afford, whether that be a Bushnell or a Leupold is up to you (just remember you get what you pay for when it comes to good glass).

Add in an ATI synthetic stock and you should fall into specs on weight, at least moderately. I recommend a good sturdy sling, a decent bipod and a modified turned-down bolt as optional accessories. The bolt will make all the difference in the world in terms of ease of use when it comes to cycling. Mosin bolts are heavy and are very torque savvy due to all the metal, having the extra leverage and angle of a turned down bolt can make a big difference.

If you run into trouble with the function of the Mosin, feel free to PM me and I'll try to help. If not I can point you in the right direction.

 

[jpwilly]

ME SCOUT CUSTOM M44:



Krylon Paint, Adjustable Trigger, NcStar Long Eye Relief 2-7x32mm, ATI Stock, Muzzle Break...one sweet little cannon!

 

[goon]

IIRC, one idea of the Scout was that ammo would be easily available and powerful enough to do drop game up to about 400 KG (about 880ish pounds) as far away as the shooter could reasonably shoot.
In the US and many other countries, and probably worldwide, the .308 would be the ideal choice. In some countries it's illegal or unobtainable so you'd need to use a different round like maybe 7mm-08 or whatever round is most common (303 British in some maybe?)
But the 7.62x54R?
It's only common in the US because of all the surplus rifles and ammo flooding the market right now. In a few years it will be like the other surplus calibers like the .303 British and 6.5 Swede - available but not exactly cheap. Not really rare but not exactly as common as a rock either. Fortunately, I don't see it following the 7.7Jap or 6.5 Carcano just because there are a lot of Mosins around. But consider the .303 British - the British exercised a lot of influence worldwide at one time but only 60 years or so later, good .303 surplus is nonexistant and the lowest "sporting" ammo you'll find goes for about $11 a box plus shipping.

IMO, I think you'd be better off to go with a .30-30 instead of a Mosin. You lose a little range but realisitcally, you are using a 2x scope - not my idea of a "long range" rifle.
The idea is to hit as far away as you are confident you can hit. With me, I wouldn't lose any range at all with a 30-30 because I am a 250 yard shooter and when I hunt I'd rather be closer than that. I consider myself close enough to a deer when I can feel the heat from it's breath. Anything farther than that is a long shot (hunting is about getting close and being sure, not "sniping").
If you factor in leverevolution ammo the advantage of the '54R starts to get a little fuzzier.
In exchange for that, you get a caliber that is available at any gunshop in several flavors and that is available at walmart for $10/box of decent hunting stuff. And if you had to use it for defense would you rather have quick handling a lever action that you can top off as you shoot or a Mosin Nagant?
Loaded chamber with the safety on - which one gets a shot off quicker?
Mosins are not terribly fast and they are slow to reload without stripper clips and good stripper clips are not that easy to come by.

IMO, a 30-30 fits the Scout concept better than an altered Mosin.
No offense though guys, your Mosins are still very useable rifles at a great price.
And I bet if you went to Finland you would find a whole lot more '54R for sale than you would 30-30.