cluttonfred
Member
Before I go any further, I am quite aware that there are plenty of cheap milsurp rifles out there that would work as affordable scout rifles. So please lay off the "throw a scope mount on a Mosin-Nagant or an SKS if you want semi-auto and call it a day" comments!
What I am talking about is an affordable new bolt action rifle that could be easily adapted with owner-installed accessories and would satisfy MOST of the criteria for a scout rifle. Per Jeff Cooper (please lets not argue these, this is just a starting point) those were:
Working Class Scout Rifle: Part One
Working Class Scout Rifle: Part Two
Working Class Scout Rifle: Part Three
Personally, I am intrigued by this project, but the lack of iron sights would make this a non-starter for me as I'd rather have just irons over just a scope if relying on a rifle in a life or death situation, but maybe there is some solution that I am not considering. I have seen some offset express sights for attaching to scope rails that look interesting, for example.
What do folks think of this attempt at a poor man's scout rifle? What would you do differently if making a pseudo scout out of a Ruger American Compact in your choice of caliber? Any solutions for the iron sights?
Cheers,
Matthew
What I am talking about is an affordable new bolt action rifle that could be easily adapted with owner-installed accessories and would satisfy MOST of the criteria for a scout rifle. Per Jeff Cooper (please lets not argue these, this is just a starting point) those were:
- Max unloaded weight, with accessories, of 3-3.5 kg (6.6-7.7 lbs);
- Max overall length of 1 meter (39.4 in.);
- Forward-mounted telescopic sight of low magnification (preferred but optional);
- Ghost ring (large aperture) iron sights;
- Ching or CW sling
- .308 Winchester/7.62x51mm NATO (or 7mm-08 Remington where military calibers prohibited, or .243 Winchester if recoil is an issue)
- 2 MOA or better for a three-shot group @ 200 meters
- Optional bipod, optional removable magazine
Working Class Scout Rifle: Part One
Working Class Scout Rifle: Part Two
Working Class Scout Rifle: Part Three
Personally, I am intrigued by this project, but the lack of iron sights would make this a non-starter for me as I'd rather have just irons over just a scope if relying on a rifle in a life or death situation, but maybe there is some solution that I am not considering. I have seen some offset express sights for attaching to scope rails that look interesting, for example.
What do folks think of this attempt at a poor man's scout rifle? What would you do differently if making a pseudo scout out of a Ruger American Compact in your choice of caliber? Any solutions for the iron sights?
Cheers,
Matthew