It is what it is, if you like it then buy it. If you don't, then act accordingly.

quote:

I guess that if you took the Ruger Scout, put a black scope, a bipod and painted the stock black or camo, you would be "Tacticool". Looks like a marketing thing to me.

Of course it is. The whole "tactical" thing is geared to pimple faced fat guys wanting to look "tuff."

I have mixed feelings.

Pros:

1) Compact
2) The laminate stock is better shaped than that on the Ruger Frontier and wood is sturdier, quieter, and warmer than plastic
3) Adjustable length of pull and a factory installed recoil pad (better than the youth length Frontier)
4) The Picatinny rail will allow the attachment of a wider variety of optics and gives you the option to put them right down on the deck where they belong (lower than the Frontier allowed at least with factory rings)
5) Other than the Savage 10FCM it's the only off the shelf alternative to the Steyr Scout
6) The price isn't ridiculous and MSRP is almost always more than the street price

Cons:

1) No third swivel stud for a Ching Sling for them as use one
2) Barrel is needlessly short (as was that on the Frontier). I'd rather have a 18 inch barrel than a 16 inch tube tipped with a flash hider.
3) Too heavy by a pound
4) The AI magazine - even the five rounder - projects below the receiver and eliminates the ability to carry the rifle comfortably gripped around the receiver
5) You have to remove the aperture rear sight if you wish to attach a conventional optic over the receiver
6) It would be a better value in stainless

If a fella didn't mind the 16 inch barrel he could buy a discontinued but still widely available Frontier, fit it with NECG sights and lengthen the stock with a recoil pad for a less than that the price of the new offering. He'd have a sturdier, handier, and more attractive rifle for his troubles.

There is a market for scout rifles just like there is a market for left handed rifles. Very few want a left hander, but Ruger makes them for that small market. Same goes for this scout.

I was liking the overall package of this scout rifle, and at first blush was thinking this may be the best factory Cooper scout offering to date. But looking into the detachable mag box, being this particular box is single stacked with no ability to top off from the port, it loses a major feature that is handy in a scout. This inability to load or top off through the port has killed my interest.

I'd rather have a conventional drop box with the ability to load and top off with a stripper clip than have a 5/10 round detachable box that must be removed to top off.

later

The pioneers kept a loaded rifle over the mantle. The reason was this was one place that was easy to find at night if the event of attack by two or four legged varmints.

If you read Cooper, his idea was a fast handling compact and powerful rifle. Cooper’s idea has merit and there are quite a few who have embraced this idea or those innovators have come up with their own solution. Many have accepted the Remington 870 or equivalent in the modern world for this requirement. But its range is limited. Problem is finding an appropriate long eye relief low power scope. Fortunately there are several on the market today.

In looking for something to fill this requirement I found the Browning 1895 Carbine recreation in .30-06. Since the 1895 has a vertical magazine heavy spire point bullets can be loaded in it, with 5 quick shots available at speeds which exceed the bolt gun.

Here is the result:

Well, like it or not, "here she comes..." in about two weeks to your local dealer location.
Seems quick turn around for Ruger, but guess they figure that all of those "wannabees" are just going to go nuts over it and sales will skyrocket. I already got my name on one. Life is good.

For me, if there could be a way to modify or change the magazine box, so that you could leave a 5 or 10 round box inserted, yet be able to push in rounds from the loading port to top off; this scout rifle would then be just about perfect. I could see some fun with keeping one on the farm, if for nothing else to shoot bands of pesty wild hogs.

For you guys who get your hands on one, I'd appreciate any feedback if there is a way to easily change the rifle so it would feed from the top into the detachable mag box.

Thanks

And now Ruger has announced a perfect back-up gun for it . Their mini-9mm pistol !!

I'm not a fan of the scout rifle concept, but evidentally enough people are that Ruger feels it can make money by selling one.
To me, thats great.
What I don't understand is the "hate" for something you don't intend to buy.
Why are people who have a use for "tactical" equipment, "pimple faced fat guys"?

quote:

Originally posted by TerryK:
I'm not a fan of the scout rifle concept, but evidentally enough people are that Ruger feels it can make money by selling one.
To me, thats great.
What I don't understand is the "hate" for something you don't intend to buy.
Why are people who have a use for "tactical" equipment, "pimple faced fat guys"?

Speaking as one whose pimples have basically gone, I will say that the subject of riflery is one that you need to study to understand. If you spend all your time playing football and running cross country, you just don't have the time to ferret out the nuances of accurate rifle fire.

Scout rifle acquisition is generally something one does if he has read Cooper and believes what he says.

I think I would grab my AR-25 with a couple of magazines. Those perps would never know what hit them and hopefully my family would be safe!

quote:

Originally posted by DMCI*:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by TerryK:

Speaking as one whose pimples have basically gone, I will say that the subject of riflery is one that you need to study to understand. If you spend all your time playing football and running cross country, you just don't have the time to ferret out the nuances of accurate rifle fire.

Scout rifle acquisition is generally something one does if he has read Cooper and believes what he says.

I think I would grab my AR-25 with a couple of magazines. Those perps would never know what hit them and hopefully my family would be safe!

The Huns are at the wall, boys. Getcher cammy pants tucked into the tops of your shoes, and your Ninja rag tied 'round you head. "perps" ROFLMAO

quote:

Originally posted by Jpat:

quote:

Originally posted by jaegerfrank:
If you are interested in the concept please buy a Mauser FR8 for Guardia Civil in Spain. Much more history, also 308, Mauser system, peep sight and yes it is (at least in EU) easy to get for Ruhers ridiculous price tag.

My thought also!!!

They have their problems!

Old steel, made originally for the 7 x 57 ( the FR 7 ).

Unknown barrel life.

Qeustionable accuracy - from what I´ve heard, there could be or are guaranteed problems with accuracy because of the attachment of the "cleaning kit" Container under the barrel!

Hermann

LOL! There was a time in my life where I would have bought that gun. However, I can see a use for it in some situations, and know a guy who has been looking for one.

The mini-14 was never queen of the prom, but, Ruger sure sold a bunch of them.

quote:

Originally posted by GaryVA:
For me, if there could be a way to modify or change the magazine box, so that you could leave a 5 or 10 round box inserted, yet be able to push in rounds from the loading port to top off; this scout rifle would then be just about perfect. I could see some fun with keeping one on the farm, if for nothing else to shoot bands of pesty wild hogs.

For you guys who get your hands on one, I'd appreciate any feedback if there is a way to easily change the rifle so it would feed from the top into the detachable mag box.

Thanks

+ 1

exactly!

quote:

I was liking the overall package of this scout rifle, and at first blush was thinking this may be the best factory Cooper scout offering to date. But looking into the detachable mag box, being this particular box is single stacked with no ability to top off from the port, it loses a major feature that is handy in a scout. This inability to load or top off through the port has killed my interest.

later

+ 1

+ 1

+ 1

+ 1

+ 1

Hermann

quote:

Originally posted by nordrseta:

If a fella didn't mind the 16 inch barrel he could buy a discontinued but still widely available Frontier, fit it with NECG sights and lengthen the stock with a recoil pad for a less than that the price of the new offering. He'd have a sturdier, handier, and more attractive rifle for his troubles.

Like this...



There is only one problem with your theory...there are no more stainless Frontiers anywhere... I just sold an extra .308 that I had. No box, no rings but mint...sold for $820.00 on GunBroker. There are two blue .308 on GB now but they are giving them away either...

Bob

I will have one of the ugly Rugers in couple weeks if delivery holds true and look forward to working with it. As for topping off or "managing your stores..." the high capacity mag (for a bolt gun) is a method to solve that problem and two or three topped off mags is a lot of firepower if needed. I already have a Tikka T3 Tactical w/ 20" barrel, 308, five round mags, flash hider, rail for optics, adj. stock comb/butt and if the Ruger is as tough as the Tikka, half as accurate, it will be a fine rifle. Also about 40% less cost I might add!!

Evidently you haven't picked up a Savage Edge or a Rem 710 or 770...or Mossbergs latest bolt action...

they define ugly and POS in one product.

frankly, it is the perfect scout rifle ... which is circular logic .. scout rifles ARE not standard looking rifles

quote:

Originally posted by jeffeosso:
frankly, it is the perfect scout rifle ... which is circular logic .. scout rifles ARE not standard looking rifles

Sell-out!
I wonder which gun mag will win the scramble to kiss Ruger's behind and agree with you!
Nothing is perfect, but I won't hold my breath for an objective review, let alone a torture test! The plastic may crack or fall off

The scout concept was intended as a general pourpouse rifle to kill any critter under 450 kilos.I believe is a good rifle to have in the truck for guides and ranchers .The forward scope is only usefull in good ligth conditions ,so i prefer regular scopes ,but the short barrel can be usefull for daily HUNTING use.
I believe it have not any use as a military carbine non even for scouts .
I used an Steyr scout in POLAND in driven hunts and it proved a good election in the fast shooting in the DARK FOREST ,were forward mounting SCOPE is ok .Juan

I am still waiting for a .358 Winchester in this scout rifle. My old Savage 99 does this duty as a scout for now. 6 in the rotary mag and can top off at any time. Has had barrel damage repaired so barrel is 17 1/4". And 180 gr to 310 gr bullets to load. Use 7.62x51 brass with one pass through the 358 die while loading. Going to a larger caliber eliminates pesky trimming for several loadings. ...............

For those out of the US, Ruger has an export model of the Gunsite Scout rifle which does not have the flash hider. Helps the "looks" a little bit. They also are now offering it in a left-handed variant. I too, was curious about it in .358 or even .338 Federal and was told by a Ruger rep that they had no intentions of producing it in any other caliber "at this time". Rumor has it that they are also working on polymer magazines for the rifle. Magazines are available in both 5 and 10 round configurations.

I also own the Frontier in .338 Fed, as well as the Steyr in .376. My model is quite accurate, even with the scout scope setup. Not perfect by any means of the imagination, in fact, Jeff Cooper Scout enthusiasts point out the obesity of the Ruger model in regards to overall weight not meeting the criteria to be called a "true scout rifle". Accuracy is MOA with match grade ammunition. True, accuracy from the Steyr is marginally better, but also for a deal more money. For combat I would choose a different rifle, but for waging war on hogs, not a bad setup. But to each their own opinion I suppose.

I AGREE!

Why a flash suppressor/hider on hunting rifle? Does it depend on what you're hunting? Or maybe it's not a hunting rifle? Or maybe it's the "tacti-cool" factor.

quote:

Originally posted by MickinColo:
Poor thing looks a little confused as to what it wants to be when it grows up.

YEP! needs to be semi-auto at least, and then....

I am sure it will float someone's boat, but it doesn't float mine.

Abnother answer to a question not asked.

Doc