  Ruger sent us two of these guns and in our first outing we fitted them both with long eye relief scopes mounted to the forward rail.
 Ben shooting Hornady Steel Match in both guns using a Caldwell Lead Sled
 The highest power scope we used was a 4 power, and our best groups at 100 yards were with the scope rear mounted and came in at just under an inch and a half.
 Thankfully Ruger has provided a set of rings specifically for this gun that allow you to mount an optic in the normal position. With higher magnification and tuned loads the Scout is most likely an MOA gun.
 The rings are proprietary Ruger and come with the gun. You take off the rear peep sight to expose this notch. There are aftermarket 30mm rings, and XS Sights also makes a full length rail that allows you to keep the rear peep on.
 While the rear scope mount takes some of the advantage of periferal vision, this is the scope most people have and are used to. It also slows down single round manual loading, which I’m sure was part of Colonel Cooper’s thinking when suggesting the front rail.
 The safety on the Ruger Gunsite Scout is two position, to either block just the trigger or in the second position to also lock the bolt forward. Both test rifles were easy to manipulate quietly. The peep sight is also fully adjustable.
 The front protected blade and flash hider are similar to the .30 caliber Mini-30.
 The beefy Ruger Model 77 extractor is known for durability and positive extraction even on sticky cases.
 The Scout comes with one 1/2″ spacer mounted and the two others may be installed with an included Allen wrench.
 The left handed version is now available, so ask your local dealer to get the order in now.
 Thankfully Ruger elected to use a commercially available mag from Accuracy International. I don’t know why they have to be so expensive, but they nonetheless are.
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https://www.ruger.com/scout/
As the 2012 SHOT Show approaches, one of the guns that didn’t get as much attention as it should have from this past year’s show was the Ruger Gunsite Scout Rifle. If you haven’t seen this gun, it is based on a theoretical design from a shooting legend, Colonel Jeff Cooper, who started the Gunsite Academy. The premise of the gun is a “one gun solution, ” with a spec that it has to be a .30 caliber with an effective kill power on a man sized target out to the effective range of the shooter, and that is has to be short , light, and handy. This isn’t the first “Scout Rifle” design to hit the market, and Col. Cooper was involved with a Steyr project back in the day that is still sold today. But for the money, Ruger definitely has a very strong offering, and has nailed the Scout concept at an affordable price, MSRP $995.
Chambered in .308 Winchester, the 16.5″ barreled Ruger Gunsite Scout Rifle comes in at 7 lbs. empty and is 38″ long. This is basically to the spec of Col. Cooper, and this is with a wood, not plastic stock. The length of pull is adjustable with stock inserts from 12.75 inches to 14.25 inches, so it fits all sizes of shooters and can be adapted to body armor. Gunsite has a method of training shooters where length of pull is crucial, and this rifle is made to help you “settle into it.” I think that is the reasoning behind the wood composite stock as opposed to plastic. Laminated wood looks a little funny, but it is just as durable and weatherproof as plastic, and it is only about a half a pound heavier. The fine checkering on the beefy feeling forend and handgrip make you feel good with the gun, like it was made for you, and the weight distribution of the wood also just “feels right,” which is what the designers at Ruger and Gunsite were going for.
When you see the profile of this new Ruger Scout collaboration, a couple things immediately stick out. One is the ten round removable box magazine. To my knowledge there are no other bolt rifles in this price range that even have a box magazine. You are stuck with 3 or 4 rounds in the mag. The Scout also has a forward optics rail, for a special type of scope called, coincidentally, a Scout Scope. The Scout Rifle concept is 50 years old and the methodology of the Scout has been applied to experimental rifles for two generations now, using everything from standard Remington, Winchester and Ruger actions, to surplus Mosin-Nagants and Mausers. The forward mounted Scout Scope has what is called a “long eye relief.” That means you can see a full field with the scope 8 or 9 inches away from your eye. These scopes are also used on pistols to some degree by handgun hunters and long range target shooters.
The forward mounted scope allows you to take advantage of the optic, while retaining your peripheral vision for optimum situational awareness. It takes some getting used to, but most major optic companies make a Scout Scope model, and once you get used to it, the advantage is clear. In an unknown situation with nobody but you covering your back you don’t want your eye locked into a normal scope. Col. Cooper had this forward mount in his spec, long before long eye relief scopes were popular, and he was definitely on to something. The respect that his name commands in the gun world is well deserved. Most of us don’t have the ability to go out to Gunsite to train, but the expertise there has given us what amounts to the right tool for the job.
There is also an M1A/Mini-14/30 style set of iron sights on the Gunsite Scout. The rear is an adjustable peep sight, and the front is an ear protected blade. They are functional, and compliment the simplicity of the gun. On the front of the barrel is a Ruger birdcage flash hider, which is also similar to the Mini-14/30 series of rifles. If you want a standard mounted scope on the Scout instead of the long eye relief Scout scope, the rear sight removes and is replace by Ruger proprietary 1″ rings that come with the gun. I was also able to find aftermarket 30mm rings made for the gun, and XS Sights makes a full top rail that goes for $90 and does not require you to remove the rear sight.
The Ruger Model 77 that this rifle is made from is known for reliability and durability. It was based on the Mauser 98 design, and the later Winchester Model 70. Very few old time gun nuts don’t have a Ruger Model 77 in their safe and this next generation of the gun nuts will most likely be the same. I’ve looked around the internet for reviews of the Scout and all have been positive, through thousands and thousands of rounds. We had no failures in hundreds of rounds over two rifles, and the accuracy was well within the tolerance of modern production rifles.
Our resident US Army Sniper Ben Becker was able to shoot the Ruger Gunsite Scount into just under an inch and a half at 100 yards, translating to roughly 1.5 Minutes of Angle, or MOA. The most consistent accuracy was with Hornady Match 165gr. A-Max, but we also shot our two test guns with Hornady Superformance, and Steel Match, as well as others. In casual rested shooting none of the ammo went over 2 MOA. The Ruger Model 77 is known as a gun that likes certain bullet and velocity combinations, and I’m sure with careful hand loading and testing it wouldn’t be difficult to find the sweet spot load for this rifle that will hold into under 1MOA.
Ben also had some insights into the overall purpose of the gun itself, and the thinking on the “if you only can being one gun” concept. Is a bolt rifle, even a box magazine bolt rifle, a valid choice in as the one gun solution? After all, the AR-15/M4 configuration is the battle rifle of the US Military, and in a pinch, the .223 cartridge can be used to hunt the majority of North American game. The AR-15 platform is wildly popular and most people consider it the ideal one gun solution.
When you think about it though, If you are going to have to bug out with one gun, and that gun may be the only thing between you and a world out of order, do you really want a rifle that was created to fire what was previously a woodchuck cartridge? Even in a 16.5″ barrel the .308 Winchester is powerful enough to stop a car with one shot at 200 yards. The true effective soft target deadly range of the cartridge is in excess of 600 yards, and confirmed sniper kills have been widely reported at over 1,000 yards. I have personally fired it through 1/2″ pig iron, and there are no parts of a wooden construction house that will stop it. I asked Ben if he had ever seen people try to stop cars with an M4 in Iraq. His answer was that he has, on several occasions, and it sometimes works, with a lot of bullets, and it sometimes doesn’t, even with a lot of bullets
The other issue with an AR-15 is the gun itself. While the technology of the AR-15 has definitely come of age and the current guns are 100% reliable, they are still gas driven. If you don’t clean them after 200 rounds or so they tend to start to jam. If you shoot some dirty ammo or surplus ammo with corrosive primers they can fail you very easily, even sooner than that, and unexpectedly, just because you didn’t have a chance to clean them. The AR-15/M-16 was created for the military, with a light cartridge that you can carry a lot of, and a rifle that is carried by someone who can disassemble and reassemble it with his or her eyes closed. For a novice shooter who just wants the right gun to protect his or her family in a pinch, the AR platform is probably not the best choice when you get right down to it.
A bolt rifle will rarely if ever fail you, and the Ruger Model 77 action and extractor system are particularly considered the more reliable among riflemakers. Does this outweigh the ability to shoot bang, bang, bang, twenty or thirty times like you can with an AR-10 or an M1A in the same .308 Winchester? I don’t know. I think it is a matter of personal choice. I personally like the weight and handiness of this rifle. It reminds me of my M44 Mosin-Nagant, but with a comfortable length of pull, a smooth reliable action and a 10 round magazine.
Just in case you are concerned that this is a proprietary magazine, thankfully it isn’t. The magazine that comes with the gun does have a Ruger emblem on the bottom, but they are to the spec of Accuracy International magazines and they are available for the gun at Midway USA and other internet retailers. These AI mags are not cheap though, $85 for a 10 rounder, but you can’t really get cheap mags for an AR-10 or M1A either. The magazine is a straight inline presentation, and as I said, I have yet to hear of anyone having a failure in this gun.
The “one gun solution” is largely a matter of opinion and preference, and many people tire of “come the day” and “end of the world” discussions. Nobody wants to sound like a supermarket tabloid, and you won’t find ads for gold brokers or fearmongering on GunsAmerica. With all of the checks and balances now built into the New World Order, the chances of a collapse are about as good as the chance of all of your neighbors turning into zombies. But as generations of Americans who have stood up for the 2nd Amendment have always known, you just never know what might be coming down the road at you. No matter what that turns out to be, having a zeroed and ready Ruger Gunsite Scout Rifle, and some good quality, accurate .308 in your corner will never hurt.
Ruger Firearms Gunsite Scout Rifle
https://www.ruger.com/scout/
Lots of great reviews and look forward to shooting and hiking threw the bush with the gsr
I recently purchased a GSR and have yet to shoot it. The main reason besides the cool looks is to use it as a hunting rifle. I like the fact it has a short barrel as I tend to hunt in the thick spruce and all the bashing of the magazines is nothing more than opinion and does nothing to address functionality. I purchased 5,10 round polymer magazines from Ruger and am satisfied that I am not in danger of running out of ammunition if a big bad buck should decide to get unruly. As for the rest MOA would be great but the rifle was not designed for it. The target does not care if it shoots a .5″ or 1.5″ group at 100 yards. As with every manufacturer they all have lemons and they stand behind their products. Most of the time we all can make a mistake and short feed a round. Just don’t blame the rifle for your own shortcomings( pun intended). I have never had the chance to meet the COL. However I believe that his legacy would not endorse the product if he was against it. As a matter of fact I think that his organization worked with Ruger to design and test the GSR. No more emotional opinions just the facts. We all have opinions and as they say(you fill in the blanks). So when I get the chance to get to the range and test the rifle I to might give you my opinion. Until then be real.
I had this rifle that I got in Dicks Sport, I liked the design. I took it to the range and it had a problem in ejection of the cartridge, it fail many times to eject the cartridge, so I took it back to the store and they sent it to Ruger, so I am waiting to try again. In my view point I found out several detail that I do not like it. In addition to the fail of ejecting the cartridge, the butt stock is a little bit short, the metal magazine that comes with the rifle only hold 9 cartridge and not 10 as they said. The rifle has some pros like it has a 5 and 10 detachable magazines what it is an advantage of other hunting rifles that only hold 3-5 cartridge, it has a laminated buttstock, it can be use for dual purpose hunting and home or personal defense. In relation with the so called “Scout Rifle” I doubt this rifle will fill that definition because it is bolt action rifle, I think a rifle called like that should be a semi automatic at least for the civilian version
This is adorable, but:
Why no stripper clip guide? The whole point of the forward mounted low-magnification scope is to allow reloading with stripper clips.
Why such a short barrel? This pretty much ballistically neuters the .308/7.62x51mm and turns it into a 7.62×39, only with double the recoil, three times the muzzle flash, and four times the cost per shot. Let’s see some chronograph data. If I can’t sling 168 grain bullets at 2500+ or 150s at 2700+ then I’ll keep my AK, which is equally reliable, holds a lot more ammo, and reloads a lot faster.
Why are we talking about bolt guns as a one-long-gun-for-everything solution anyway, in the 21st Century? In 1900 maybe you couldn’t do better, but in 2014 you most assuredly can. For every purpose other than punching paper and hunting creatures that don’t shoot back, bolt-action rifles have been obsolete since before most of the people reading this were born–or your fathers. And possibly your grandfathers.
My pluses: It’s a beautiful gun. I like .308 and the thought behind the scout rifle makes this gun a desirable one to put in any gun safe. This article does a good job of laying out how good the gun feels, it’s versatility, and the typical attention to detail and ruggedness Ruger puts into implementing a design.
My minuses: The magazine choice from Accuracy International is not the best choice, in my opinion. Yes, it’s a better choice than than a totally proprietary magazine. But the best choice would have been a double-stacked magazine. Then they could have chosen mags that are also able to fit other .308 semi auto rifles, such as the M1A (or, your choice here). In this, I think Mossburg’s design in their bolt action rifles has Ruger beat. Also, I’m not sure why from bench this rifle is not able to produce sub moa groups. Mossburg’s .308s do – or at least they say they do. At the moment I’m looking at both Mossberg’s rifles with magazines and Ruger’s. If it weren’t for these two things, it would hands down be the Ruger. Instead, for the moment, it is a toss-up.
I just pulled mine new out of the box. Accuracy with iron sights for me up to 150 yds is good. However, mine doesn’t like to eject casings. It will sometimes eject a casing 30 feet away but the majority of the time the little ejector slides up from under the bolt and it seems to “miss”.
Needs to be lighter. Ditch the laminated stock and go with a polymer/composite. Needs an 18″ or 19″ barrel with NO flash hider. I just can’t get on board with this rifle. It really isn’t a true scout rifle. This is a psuedo scout and Jeff Cooper would probably agree if he were alive today. A neat rifle, just not a scout rifle. I suppose the true defintion will be lost to time.
I am a USAF Security veteran handled, qualified, carried all organic weapons at the time….I have handled owned many Sturm Ruger (now Ruger) firearms over the years and had friend owned an M77 in .270 Win. Had the worst trigger I have ever seen or felt. He asked If anything could be done about it and I said let me take it to a gunsmith friend and to keep it short, problem was resolved with simple trigger adjustment. My own M77 I love dearly but something no one has mentioned is the bolt throw….I want a SHORT bolt throw rifle in a .30 caliber. 30.06 is a long bolt throw…..FOR MY PURPOSES THE GSR IS THE BOMB!!! I paid under $800.00 NIB for mine. I have not picked it up as of yet, if it handles, functions, and is accurate as all of my other Rugers, I will have no issues with it. As for the 10 round magazines ….yes I would love a 20 round double stack mag. That being said, an example of what can happen when people carry more rounds in general their hit ratio tends to drop….example when the LAPD Went to the 9mm Berettas vs the revolvers….their hit ratio dropped greatly vs rounds fired to target. When firing a lot of rounds in a very short time, it is easily for a person to keep count of their rounds. The lesser rounds in whatever firearm one has at hand ensure that one will be more careful of making every shot count
The GSR is a concept rifle designed for a one gun owner that cannot afford the various firearms out there. To perform reliably under all sorts of situations. Would I used the weapon for defense if it was the only one I had to choose from? Granted I would not care to use a bolt gun in any caliber for CQB…again if it is all I have to use, I WILL USE IT and HAVE NO OTHER OPTION AND CANNOT DISENGAGE! I would prefer a 12 gauge loaded with #4 Buckshot. What is the longest shot you can make Inside your own house? Remember every shot at close quarters and inside house or dwelling. One should not desire or want over penetration inside their home. You don’t want to injure or kill any of your family members or loved ones.
I would not care to carry use a .22 LR primarily for self defense when I have other larger calibers to choose from? Nope! However if I am carrying a .22 it is all I have to use I will not hesitate to choose from and shot placement is everything!
When SHTF happens you are going to have to make do with what is in your hands. I love the .22LR as a survival rifle, a brick of ammo or 500 or rounds can easily be carried…
Weapons/firearms are tools designed to do certain things within respective parameters. I LOVE the GSR and cannot wait to put it through it’s paces!
Again I would love a 20 -30 double stack mag, but that is no issue to me. In my state I would have to have the 5 round magazine to legally use the GSR for hunting.
Marlin 22 Magnum Scout / Survival Rifle Trail Boss Test Exclusive: http://play.kendincos.com/17595/Wvztxjnnrdhfjdhfj-marlin-22-magnum-scout-survival-rifle-trail-boss-test.html
Just purchased a scout today,excited to take it out when I pick it up, I love the feel,length and weight transparcy of the Riffle,Looks are very nice as well. Although there 995 to 1099 now after I take it out and shoot it Ill leave my 2 cents as Ive heard very positive thoughts on the gun. This will be my first 308 riffle as I also shoot a 30-06 and AR 223 plus some others. Im not very gun statistis person but all my firearm friends are, there stoked I bought one,they want to shoot it as well. Cant wait !!!
Making the GSR better – cont: While the scout scope isn’t the best for longer ranger, Its much faster up close and does not obstruct clearing the breach if need be.
SWFA also has the Harris BRM-S Bipod for $99.95. you can also use a sling with it.
To reduce recoil, flash and bang of the 16 1/2″ barrel, get an AAC Cyclone can ($658 from The Silencer Shop – Austin, Texas) AAC doesn’t recommend anything but factory ammo, but cast lead bullets greatly reduce shooting cost. Don’t use gas checks and keep the velocity under 1,000 fps. With the can, you will need a sonic case cleaner to keep it clean and remember there is a $200 can transfer fee involved. Your state may not allow silencers for hunting. For hunting Midway has the Speer 150 Gr. Grand Slam bullets (50 for $25.99.)
I liked the M14, but it’s heavy and the ammo takes up more room. After a few weeks in the jungle, even a M16 gets heavy. If you’re looking for a hunting rifle, a 70 or 700 or a Savage A-bolt in .270 is nice, but if your looking for a doomsday bug out rifle, I’d probably take a AR15 with 30 round mag even with a concern about dependability of a gas gun. I’ve drug a M16 through mud and water, but then I spent time cleaning it. Your AR will be OK for 2 legged BGs, but too light for deer or hogs. I selected the Rugar GSR because Uncle may be coming to your door to get that semi-auto AR and those 30 round mags, plus you can’t use lead bullets in a gas gun. I pick up hundreds of .223 cases at our range and not many .308 cases.
About the cost: Some dealers are asking #1,000 for a GSR, but you can find them for $750 to $850. If you think that’s bad, get into competition.
About the trigger: It’s not bad, but every gun can be improved by a custom gunsmith.
Making the GSR better: Install a Leupold custom shop 1.5-4×28 VX II Scout Scope ($379.95 from SWFA) and Leupold quick release mounts ($68.95 from SWFA.) The Scout scope permits both eyes open and gets on target very fast and a 4 power, is good well over 100 yards. The q
Please tell me how this would compare with my .308 savage tactical bull barrel?!?! I’m almost a 100% positive it could out perform the ruger all day long. I have a NIKON Buckmaster mounted on top and key hole shots at 20o yrds. But I am extremely partial to the Savage. So please someone who has shot both reply so I don’t end up wasting a grand a rifle I’ll never use.
Thanks
I bought this gun at a local gunshop a few months back. It is a very impressive rifle.
A Gunsite Scout Rifle (“GSR”) by Ruger? For almost a grand? Gee – there are so many better bolt action rifles that you can pick up in .308 than the GSR, I just don’t get this new offering by Ruger (and won’t get one). Regardless of one’s feelings for or against Ruger for their idiotic stances against American gunners via their approach to the magazines for some of these weapons, you can pick up a really nice Remington 700 or a Winchester 70 for the same or less money. The whole “scout” rifle definition muddies the water for so many people. A 16 1/2″ barrel versus an 18″ one, ten shots versus five. If you want a good 30 caliber bolt action rifle for hunting or self defense there are so many to choose from (and this new offering by Ruger wouldn’t be in my top 5). If you want a great “SHTF” or “TEOFTWAWKI” battle rifle – there are also so many excellent choices (again – this GSR wouldn’t even make my Top 10 list). Magazine compatibility, scope ring compatibility and so on would be critical in choosing the right battle or scout rifle so Ruger misses the mark here. Frankly, they only got it right with the .308 caliber if this is a battle rifle, and the bolt action if it is a hunting rifle. What a waste.
I have a Ruger Scout rifle and had shot only 150 or so rounds thru it and it started to not feed, every 6-8 th round. The round would slide into the firing chamber and jsut would not seat all the way home….I could almost close and lock the bolt down, ready to fire. I instead I had to remove the mag, open the bolt all the way and tilt the rifle back. I held my hand under the mag slot and the round fell into my hand…I reinserted it (the round) into the mag and then inserted the back mag in the gun. (I settled the mag in my hand, the way a Gunny Sgt. taught me before inserting any mag into a gun.) I chambered the same round but this time it seated all the way home so I could now close the bolt and lock it down. I own 10 other Ruger fire arms and have NO complaints with any of them…Has any one else had this problem with their Scout rifles??? If so respond on this web site. Thanks for all the good info here, guys.
just bought one. Like everything but the feed and magazine. If you inssert a round into the chamber by hand without mag in, bolt will not close. metal mag had several missfeeds and unable to close bolt several times.Also mag and action scuffed my brass quite a bit. Ruger says bolt has to be worked hard and fast. New mags on the way and if the feed is as poor with these then my scout will be going back. Very dissappointed with the rifle’s action.
This seems like a nice handy 308 and I do agree with a bolt action in 308 rather than gas system even though I love my AR15 and AR10.
But why why why did ruger design this for the most expensive SINGLE STACK magazines known to man..the AI magazine???
Why not design it to be able to use surplus double stack mags? If I had a mag sticking out that far as the above photos, it better have at least 20rds in it
Just purchased the GSR. Well designed, comfortable (just feels right), quick to acquire target with the 16.5 barrel, and enough fire power to take most game in the north woods except the grizzly. If I need to get out of dodge in a hurry this is what will go with me. Thanks Col. Cooper and Ruger for a great firearm.
I have a friend who did shoot a griz with it. It took 3 shots but it did the trick. I bet with the right ammo it would only take one shot, a good one….
I purchased this gun last summer and have cycled about 500 rounds of crappy Russian ammo through it without a problem. In fact, I am able to hold a good tight 2″ pattern at 100 yards consistently….even with that crappy ammo (can someone tell me why Rusians can’t count to 20?…most 20 rnd boxes contain 18 rounds). I used the mounting rings that come with the Gun as opposed to the rail but can certainly see the value in using a forward position to inhance periphrial vision. I also like the light, compact design..you can tuck right into it. I read some negative coments about the mag. Other than the cost, I like having the rounds…who cares what it looks like? If I had to select one of my weapons for stoping power, range and reliability, I’d take the Scout…any day.
Picked mine up a couple of weeks ago. Still looking for the right scope (any suggestions?). Papered the peeps at 50 yards and was able to cover the holes with a dime, so I don’t think accuracy will be a problem – and that was with off-the-shelf cartridges. Can’t wait to hand load for this baby! Plus, it just looks cool. I get a lot of compliments on it at the range.
Yes, I bought a Barska, Swat Extreme Tac. rifle scope. Mil-dot, 30mm tube,10 by 40, 50mm objective. 3.6in eye relief. (for my scout rifle) I have shot some 150 rounds with it and it is a dream. The price was excellent too. (the scope) Comparable to any Nikon I have.I also put an SK rail on it so I can mount the scope closer to my eyes. I use it for hunting and it has the power and accuracy to reach out 500-600 yards. I plan to use it to moose hunt this fall. You will fall in love with this rifle, it’s one of the sweetest shooting rifles I have ever shot/own. Good one Ruger, now if you can make a 20 round double stack to fit it….and just maybe offer a semi-auto version of the exact same rifle. Man, I still believe in Santa too. I shot the damned tooth fairy, thought he was stealing something from me….sorry ’bout that.
First off, Current AR-15’s do not start jamming at 200 rnds. I run about 500-800 before cleaning mine with ZERO issues with Wolf ammo which leads to me to question the writers experience shooting one (3Gun). Now I do agree with the stopping power of the .223 vs .308. I am currently looking for a .308 bolt gun for long range precision. I was a little disappointed in 1.5MOA with this rifle. For just a couple extra dollars you can have a Win 700 18″ w/ detachable magazine(if you install yourself). I still would be interested to see how this gun feels on the range.
I am a little late on this thread but in case it is still being viewed. I recently picked up a new Steyr Scout for an excellent price. I am not here to debate the pros and cons of such a rifle but rather the optical device. The Steyr has been sitting there for a month while I debated what to do for a scope as I plan to use it for typical southern deer hunting in heavily wooded areas. Up close and personal. I will use a pistol but always carry a rifle and hate to take one of my long range setups. Back to optics. My frequent complaint is that there are no excellent fixed power scopes, 3 to 5 power range anymore. I am a nut about parallax (my Nightforce NXS with a fine wire reticle on a custom AR will drive you nuts) so just give me a good fixed power. I have emailed several manufacturers and it just isn’t going to happen, supposedly won’t sell. Since we all seem to be learning a lot more of our shooting craft/hobby I disagree. The more the serious shooting public learns about parallax the more they will demand fixed power. So jump foward to me running into a used 3.5 X 35mm ACOG with the .308 ballistics and horseshoe reticle yesterday at an excellent price (I have the same ACOG in the .223 chevron version). Well I be dang, there is my fixed power solution for the Scout and how cool it will look. I mean this is a marriage made in heaven. I take the ACOG home, it will always have a use, and lo and behold the ACOG quick release mount will not fit into the Steyr picatinny cuts (The Steyr cuts are too small and will accept a round thru bolt but not a rectangle one). In the process of reviewing alternatives I quickly realize that nobodys mount connected to the ACOG will work on the Steyr with one picatinny cut before the bolt and the rest forward. So today I have ordered a YHM 7 inch riser that should do the trick; extend over the action, allow for the bolt handle to operate and provide elevation and room to extend the ACOG rearward (I might have to machine off some of the length). The YHM riser has the ability to accomodate any non uniformity in the picatinny cuts although the measurements look fine on the Steyr. Unfortunately my cool looks are out the window but I will have the right end result, I HOPE! LER scopes are for handguns and have little place on a rifle. The Scout rife, Ruger or Steyr, screams for a simple fixed optic in the 3-4 power range and I think the ACOG is the answer. And if some reason I want to fool around at the range with some long range testing of the reticle patter Bullet Drop Compensator, I will enjoy that too. MY other ACOG is on a Barrets 6.8 and at two crosshairs elevation is dead on at 500 yards, while zeroed at 100 yards. You can effective see a 15 inch gong at 500 yards and hit it repeatedly. There is something about a low magnification ACOG that works better than a similar standard scope but I sure cannot explain it (I have a fixed 2 power Leupold that is worthless). So we need an ACOG mount just for the Steyr that would allow the bolt to operate and eject – fat chance. I would love some comments.
This is a very nice looking rifle and I like the idea of the integrated Picatinny rail and scout scope capability. I don’t see any reason you couldn’t put a red dot sight, particularly something like a 4X ACOG. The nice thing about the forward mount is that it gives you situational awareness and, hopefully, faster target acquisition both of which would be important when hunting dangerous game, human or animal. If I were in the market for a bolt action rifle, I’d take a close look at the Ruger Gunsite Scout Rifle.
That said, I have recently become a fan of Kalashnikov carbines. You can find these in .308, .223, 7.62×39, and 5.45×39 to satisfy a range of needs and desires. They are usually not very expensive, surplus ammo is downright cheap, and you have low cost/high capacity magazines available through companies like Tapco. I think the accuracy of a decent AK out to 150 yards is just fine and frankly, Ruger rifles aren’t all that famous for pin-point accuracy.
I’ve posted this article with comments on my blog, The Second Amendment (http://crime-thugs-guns.blogspot.com/) and would appreciate any/all comments from owners/users of the Ruger Gunsite Rifle, or on any other post you might find interesting on the blog.
The rifle looks like a very nice package, and i am the proud owner of no less than half a dozen Ruger weapons. But i consider my go to rifle hear in farmcountry, Ohio as my Ruger 10-22, or nowadays with higher coyote populations my Ruger 44 deerfield carbine in .44 mag, now talk about a handy rifle out to 150 yds. semi-auto with plenty of acuracy as well as firepower. I raise livestock and dont go out the back door without something that shoots. With a couple of gun safes full of fun and adventure, this is the one i grab the most, figuring i am well healed for anything that may come up. The one problem with this rifle is magazine related as well. It comes with a plastic composite 4 round rotary mag. with great fit, finish and functionality. But why oh why won’t the aftermarket people come out with aftermarket higher cap. mags for this lite weight, natural point and shoot, awesome little weapon is beyond my reckoning. Now i own plenty of centerfire rifles and if its bolt action it better be better than MOA accurate or i dont bother with it, period. My fifteen year old can shoot cloverleafs all day long with his T/C Venture bolt gun in 30/06 and with anything i hand him can make clean textbook kills on whitetails at any range i direct him to and his older brother, the marine corp sargent, grew up the same way. No sense making a nice liteweight bolt gun that is not MOA or better accurate, period. Now if i lived out west my go to scout would probably be an M-14. If we were talking end of world scenario, probably best bet for most would be a Rem.870 in 20 guage, plenty of kick ass and not too much recoil, but i prefer my 12 g.. If you take this reliable pump gun and an array of rounds, slugs, buck and bird shot, you would have a gun that would do most of what is needed. Your M-4, well if thats what you shoot the most great, but i consider that groundhog medicine, might as well just use my 10-22 and save weight, ammo cost and availability, and noise. I can kill just as dead with my 10-22 as you can with your AR and a whole lot quiter.
Please don’t think i am nocking the AR platform, i qualified expert with my duty A2 back in 87 and love to shoot them still but they are really overrated by many, when chambered for the .223 and 5.56 nato round. Why else would they come up with the 6.8 SPC.. A really smart guy said something like “always be sure to carry enough gun”. But yet again another old adage goes something like “Respect the man who has only one rifle, for he probably shoots it often and shoots it well. I guess both ring true, but where i come from they also say “match the hammer to the job at hand”, i think i like that best. I just really want to emphasize again just how much game and mankind has fallen to the .22 rimfire and the .44 cartridge. Distance is relative, i can make the long shots, i also can and do every year get within 150 yds. of enough game that i have raised four great kids on wild game, feeding them at least three nights a week on lean wild meat. I have fed a family of six wild game for 38 of my 46 years. First my parents and siblings, now my own family. Merry Christmas and Happy shooting.
I had a chance to handle one in a store today and it looks like a nifty little package. Well balanced and not too heavy. I think I would buy a couple of the 3 or 5 shot polymer mags to make it handier for hunting and a Safari Ching sling.
Being an Orange Gunsite grad, and having met and spoken with the Colonel a couple of times, it looks to me like a pretty good approximation of what he intended. The idea was a general purpose rifle that could do many things passably well. It was not a main battle rife, and the doctrine he taught was one shot one hit. I heard over and over at Gunsite Academy that you can never shoot fast enough to make up for a miss. He explicitly said that he was NOT teaching squad level maneuvers with suppressive fire. He was disdainful of what he called the “spray and pray” mentality. At rifle ranges (which he seemed to believe started at 200 yards) it was consistently demonstrated that you cannot hit any faster with a semi-auto than you can with a bolt if you are well trained with it and know how to use a shooting sling.
His concept for the scout was the lone rifleman or hunter in the wilderness. He never discussed a TEOTWAWKI scenario with our class, nor did he speak of being in a pitched battle with savage hordes during Armageddon. A main battle rifle would be better suited for that, if you have the logistic support to keep it supplied.
But this scout feels good in my hand and I am saving my shekels for it. I like the iron sight backup, but my eyes aren’t as good today as they were when I qualified as Marksman 1 at Gunsite with an iron sighted Springfiled 03A3, so I will probably put a scope on it. The only disappointment is that Ruger didn’t put a 3rd stud for a Ching Sling on it. But I am learning to use a Safari Ching Sling which only requires the traditional 2 attachment points. If it proves reasonably accurate, it would make a good 2-300 yard deer rifle. No wild hogs in my area, but I imagine it would suit that purpose too.
Tom
Needs more Gunsite.
I guess I should have read the article more thoroughly. …a single stack protruding magazine?!? Seriously Ruger?!? All one needs is one or two good heavy guage steel 10rnd double stacks similar to the ones on the old Enfields accompanied by a whole lot of stripper clips and you’re set. And if you’re of the doomsday frame of mind, a 5.56 or 7.62×39 option seems like a sound idea when availability of ammo may be a concern. When your biggest threat is two legged predators rather than four, the two smaller rounds are all over the world, easier to hump in large amounts, and are sufficiently unforgiving on the human body out to 500 yards.
This is about as good as it gets for reliablity, durability, versatility, and price. The only thing that I would request of ruger in the future is some sort of guide attachment for 308 stripper clips. Even with a bolt action, there may be times when you have to hammer through rounds as fast as you can and get them loaded as fast as you can. Ask any WWI vets (if there are any still alive) or WWII vets that have actually had to fight with only a bolt action.
ur website is fine.
I still can’t get over Bill Ruger’s position, compromise on principle, retreat of attack by the liberal & progressive gun ban crowd and collaboration with the enemy on the Comprehensive Violent Crime Control Act of 1989 [AKA Cinton Gun Ban Law](Quote below):
“The best way to address the firepower concern is therefore not to try to outlaw or license many millions of older and perfectly legitimate firearms (which would be a licensing effort of staggering proportions) but to prohibit the possession of high capacity magazines. By a simple, complete, and unequivocal ban on large capacity magazines, all the difficulty of defining “assault rifles” and “semi-automatic rifles” is eliminated. The large capacity magazine itself, separate or attached to the firearm, becomes the prohibited item. A single amendment to Federal firearms laws could prohibit their possession or sale and would effectively implement these objectives.” William B. Ruger Sr.
I guess I am still too mad about it to ever buy a Ruger product.
Exactly so.
I concur with with that. But, where does his son stand? Jr. is the current owner, and that’s why Ruger is now making the AR type rifle along with this one. I do however agree that these lib’s owning gun companies, its like Matt Damon playing military roles, its ridiculous. Good call though.
i purchased one of these right after they came out. it is one of the handest rifles that i have ever owned that was not a rimfire. it shoots well with both open or scope sights (both medium & regular eye relief). with a quality 24 power leopold target scope mounted and good handloads its 1moa gun. right now with the medium eye relief scope mountted a 2.5 leopold it will scoot 2.2″ at 200 yards from the bench. this one has a great trigger that breaks at 3.5lbs right out of the box. as far as the 308 goes it will do well on any critters you find over hear on the eastern coastline. its a good buy at 750.00 and even better at 700.00.
When placed beside by fn scar in 308 i fell that the family can be both protected and kept in food when the need arises.
thanks and good shooting
terry
The Scout Rifle looks rugged, a 10-round mag is ok, and the accuracy sounds lovely. But why not an old Norinco SKS? Cheap ammo, inexpensive weapon, can get up 5, 10, 20, 30, up to 75 round mags. It’s fun as heck to bounce cans across a field with open iron sights at 75 to 100 yards. Just clean it every 500 or so dirty rounds and your good to go. I have a Ruger 77 in .308, put about 30 rounds through it to get the feel, one shot for a 250 pound buck whitetail and put it away about 10 years ago after a good cleaning. The SKS is a whole lot more fun, and I could have gotten four or five of them for the price of the Ruger and its scope. Just something to think about if you wanted a “family protection” weapon. For about $50 to $60 you can slap on a 4x scope for people like me who can’t see over a hundred yards anyway.
Dennis
Yea, not sure what some of you think is reasonable price. And if you want a smooth action try a Model 1903/1903A3. You can put one together well under a 900, have 300-400 left over for ammo. Put a ww1 trench mag on it.
I personally have a M1A scout, you can find them used for about $1300.00 spend the extra money and go with a semi auto with proven reliability and quick follow up shop capabilities. Im not downing this rifle but I just don’t get why they even tried with a 16″……..
To be fair, an M1A scout is not a true scout rifle; it’s a chopped .308 battle rifle with a forward scope rail. For starters, a stripped M1A scout with no optics or ammo weighs 9.3 pounds, whereas a true scout comes in at about 2/3 that. I built my scout on a Rem. Model 7, and it weighs right around 7 pounds with sling, scope, rings, and everything. Second, the concept of a “quick” follow up shot is relative. I do agree though that an 18 or 19″ barrel would be preferable to a 16″ with a couple extra inches of flash hider hanging off it. My scout is a 20; I believe Jeff Cooper settled on 19 as a good compromise.
I looked at one of these a few weeks back. I would have purchased it ON THE SPOT IF they had built the rifle to
accept a standard M1A ( M14 ) magazine. Why would you build a rifle of this type and design a single stack magazine for it ?
I would have still purchased the rifle IF it would accept a double stack mag, even if it was designed specifically for this rifle.
Just want to toss in a correction/clarification. You describe scout scopes as “long eye relief” and describe their use on pistols. Actually, purpose built scout scopes have a shorter eye relief than pistol scopes, and are more accurately classified as “Intermediate eye relief.” This makes sense when you compare the distance from your eye to a pistol at arm’s length with the distance to just in front of the action on a shouldered rifle. I wouldn’t want someone to buy a scout rifle thinking they can put any pistol scope on it and get good results.
Of all the comments I have read over the past 11 months about how the Ruger Scout should have been this or that, I have only read ONE lukewarm review by some one that actually owned one. Most other ACTUAL owner’s comments are very positive. Borrow one from a friend then get back to me with your hands on comments.
Cody has one.
Saturation fire from a bolt-action? Why all the grief about higher capacity magazines? What do you want, a C-mag dual-drum w/ 100 round capacity? Sheesh! A good portion of respondents forget the main emphasis for the GSR. I’ll admit that magazine commonality should be considered by all firearm manufacturers.
Usually if you own a gun you praise it- if you don’t you bash it. I have no axe to grind with Ruger and I’m not a mercenary or military or a police sniper. I bought my Ruger Scout because it looked cool. Then I shot it and realized it was incredibly accurate with iron sights. My 13 year old can regular hit his mark at 200 yards with it. It is loud- but about every handgun I own is loud too. As far as the 16 1/2 inch barrel- the Ruger engineers are a whole lot smarter than me and they say (along with many others) that a short barrel is inherently more accurate than a longer barreled version due to harmonic vibration waves that the short barreled Scout obviously has less. The only thing that matters to me is the Scout goes “BOOM” when I pull the trigger and what I am aiming at falls down. That has happened 3 times this year (2 white tail deer, 1 bobcat).
Oh, and if you can afford the Steyr version- I’m happy for you. I know plenty of guys who are happy with their Romanian AR 47’s for less than five bills. To each their own- but don’t go so technical on us on a rifle that does its job just fine by my “farmer Brown” standards.
I have mounted my rifle with see-through mounts on an extended rail to give me standard relief… and allow the use of the iron sights. I get very, very acceptable groups at 300 yards (furthest I’ve shot it) and, at 6’4″, the extenders very adequately insure an acceptable LOP. Bolt runs smoothly and lock-up is “tank-tight.” If I had only one wish… it would be that Ruger had produced this rifle with a synthetic stock. On the other hand, my shooting partner likes the stability the heavy laminate gives him. A also mounted a surplus sling designed for the M14 (like we used in Boot Camp) and a pair of Harris Shorty Bipods. I am 61 years old and this rifle has become my favorite go-to… even though I have a safe full of other, prettier guns. .308 is my favorite hunting caliber for everything up to black bear and, now, I have a brush gun with long-barrel performance. In short… I’m in heaven. Thanks, Col. Cooper! Thanks, Ruger!
Paul,
I want to mount see thru mounts on an extended rail as well but am concerned about the additional height and not getting good cheek weld to the stock and eye alinment, can you tell me what the distance between bore and scope center is and what type mounts you used? Thanks
We used the mounts that came with the gun, and they already went back to Ruger so can’t measure. XS Sights makes a rail for this gun too though, and there are 30mm rings on Amazon for it.
Hi paul, I liked your post and would like to know what see thru site’s you used and scope. Thanks
Live in California. Is the rifle legal?
It is a bolt gun. It should be.
I also live in California. What ‘should’ and what ‘is’ are often two different things. The Kimber Desert Warrior wasnt California legal for a while. The Springfield XD S is not California legal either. It really sucks being a law enforcement officer unwilling to break the law to obtain the weapons I really should have. Im looking forward to leaving this place.
i thinks shes a georgeous rifle. looks so impowering, and intimidating but she also looks just like the m14 just in a bolt action. all i can say is that ill test one for ruger any time but they have to shoot me to get her back lol.
It looks very similar to the Gibbs rifle, I like it but I already have a good bolt action .308 in my SHTF arsenal so I doubt I’ll purchase one.
If it prints a 1.5 inch group at 100 yards, what does it do at 500 yards or farther?
Ben is a US Army Sniper. Most people can’t duplicate his results and we include it to show what the gun can do in the hands of a gifted shooter. Ben could probably get this gun into 5″ at 300 yards and probably 7ish I would guess at 500. He tends to get better as the target moves farther away.
I’m guessing the vast, VAST majority of riflemen will never shoot at 500 yards, even if they had the opportunity. I know I have no business with anything out there at 500 yards.
Forget the naysayers who are harping on Ruger and the Gunsite Scout. They complain about this, that and the other thing. There isn’t any gun that will appeal to everyone and be perfect in every situation, but this firearm can perform admirably in just about any scenario. I’ve always like the idea of a “general purpose rifle” and the scout concept. The Ruger is a very good rendition of the scout concept and is fairly affordable. I bought the first one I came across and I haven’t regretted it. I love the way it looks, handles, shoots, it’s simplicity, etc., and I have some of the new polymer mags on the way, too. If you want a rifle that can handle just about anything you might need it for, consider the Ruger Gunsite Scout Rifle.
I found this to be a bit confusing. My reason for saying this is that John Farnham brought this idea/concept forward twenty years ago. The good Col. thought it was a good idea and the two of them worked the concept out together. Personally, I love Ruger Firearms. They make about the sturdiest guns made, period. I believe the original scout rifle was a Ruger Ranch in .44 Magnum. Best to all. DW
I want one.
Wait SocomII,I cant remember but I believe it lightened my wallet around 1900.00.plus tax.To balance it out the EBR stock was 800.00.Hm,lets see how many rifles could I have gotten with that.To be honest I made a mistake since Im no longer in the Military and I’ll never be able to get my money out of it,it collects dust.I have one other extreme purchase like that and I will not do that again.I personally do not think the Ruger or Socom for that matter,is the best choice of home defense weapon.As far as another caliber the 30-06 would be sweet as would the.300win.mag
I’ve seen the effects of claymores and subscribe to the double trigger 12 gauge coach gun and .45 backup.Both barrels at once give shock and awe than let the other guy move
Love mine! and Ruger is now offering polymer mags they are making in 3-, 5-, and 10- rd capacities. the 10 rounder is about an inch or so shorter than the clunky metal mag my rifle came with. and my favorite part of the poly mags, other than the dust caps, is the $40 price tag. they can be “topped off”, or top loaded, altho you arent gonna be able to use a stripper clip.
my rifle shoots at about 1/2″ at 100 yards with a 2-7x traditionally mounted scope (from a rest) with my handloaded ammo.
good stuff Ruger! keep em comin!
Wait, MSRP + Taxes = $1000+ is considered an “…affordable price”…?
seriously???
compared to some “scout” rifles i have seen, it is affordable. mine was $800 new out the door.
You got me thinking I should shorten the barrel on my Enfield No. 3 m 2 in .308, but I’m going to leave it alone. Now that’s a nice 10 rd mag.
How is this better than an M1A scout squad or SOCOM?
It is really a matter of preference. Those are both gas guns, and great guns of course. I believe the article addresses this adequately.
I agree that the mag is too long. A double stacked 10 round would be ideal and not be in the way. That’s the main reason I will not get one.
Have not shot the Scout yet, but really like the features and lines. This would make a fine hunting rifle in the Southeast. I would like to see Ruger make this in a semi-auto, and possible convertible to a full auto, in other chambering’s than .308. Like .243, .243 wssm, .260, .270, .270 wsm, .280, 7MM wsm, .300 wsm, 30.06, & even .325 wsm . And even produce this Scout Rifle in the typical lever rounds. This would open up the American Hunting market to the rifle. It would be nice to be able to buy the rifle in your favorite cartridge as both a hunting and defense dual use firearm. Of the many hunters I know or have met, none have ever used the .308 round for hunting. I owned a Savage 99 in .308 and shot several deer with the round over a two year time line. But all deer I shot ran quite a distance before expiring. In all cases shot placement was well within the kill zone, and the ammo was premium hunting cartridges. As I do not like the prospect of losing game, I sold the rifle and vowed never to own .308 again. I realize case size can be an issue in this size/type of rifle , but I think it would really expand the popularity and marketability of this fine rifle. I have asked Springfield Armory if they intend to bring back the M1A is 30.06 or other popular American cartridges, but they have only expresses their offering in .308 . Ruger could really take the lead on this issue.
@BCH: I agree with you on several issues, except on your opinion of the .308. I was in the Army for several years and got very used to the flight and timing of the “7.62×51 Nato” while carrying the M24 in Iraq and Afghanistan, .308 was an obvious choice for me once I transitioned to civilian life. I have been hunting in Germany for the last 4 years and have taken everything from Roe deer, fallow deer to very large wild boar while only using .308, have never had anything run off on me with the exception of poor shot placement that wouldn’t have killed the animal no matter what I was using. I would imagine you were not getting very good terminal ballistics on your rounds, I am currently shooting 180 gr. Norma Plastic Points (yellow ones) and have had no issues with very little hemoraging on the outshot. I would assume that Ruger decided on the .308 for one very simple reason going back to the concept of the gun itself: Ammunition availability. You have got to find yourself in a very strange place on this planet the day you can’t find and .308 ammunition, it’s everywhere. It’s this availability and variety on an international/civilian/military level that was more than likely a very appealing option when it finally came to cartridge selection for the Scout. Just my two cents.
I really like my Ruger Scout. I bought it for my kids who moose hunt with me in Alaska. Too bad for my son, he didn’t get his butt outta bed the morning I used it to take a 52″ bull at sixty yards through the iron sights.
Like the Mini-14, Ruger has created a nice rifle with a magazine problem. If I was going to assign this rifle for self defense, I would need at least another 6 magazines loaded and ready… that’s an extra $500, which makes this a $1400 gun in the real world… for my hard earned dollars, that same $1400 would get me into an AR10, M1A or a Mini-G Garand. With the much cheaper magazine/clip costs of these guns, and the artificial premise of “only one gun”, any of these self loaders would my choice over the Scout. I still want one though!
cant argue with that logic really…
however, these can be had for $750-$800 new, then if you go with the polymer mags Ruger now offers at $40 per, that really brings the price down. 6 x $40 = $240 + $800 = $1040… HTH
The Ruger polymer mags will end up at a street price of around 25 bucks, the 5 round steel ones are already down to 29 bucks at Buds. All the ignorant comments are just that….. ignorant.
Man what a rash of comments.Got mine last year for $750 (yes price went up).
Lets put the mag question into perspective.Gentleman,its a friggin bolt action.I will let you swing my SocomII around and see what feels more comfortable.Its great for bashing in doors but really I dont need that anymore.As far as firepower learn to bump fire your AK, accuracy wont be okay but hey were spraying and praying.(lol)
Seriously give it abreak it fills a niche for some and it is a fun gun and reliable.And really not that overpriced compared to alot of other weapons.I just cring at what my buddy has spent on AR platforms.It lends itself as a great deer and hog gun for in the brush so it gets a kudos.Factory trigger isnt the best but that was easy to fix.
Just my two cents but hate to see a good little gun get bashed
10 years ago I wanted a scout rifle and decided what was available was beyond my price range. So, I made my own. I started with a VZ24 Mauser bolt action rifle in 8mm Mauser. I put it in a Ram Line nylon stock and I floated the barrel. I added a B-Square Scout mount and used Weaver rings with a BSA L.E.R. 2x scope. I installed a Williams 5D receiver peep sight for open sights. I added a Harris 6″-9″ bipod and a 1907 pattern leather sling. 5 round stripper clips are still faster to reload than fumbling with magazines. All for less than $500. It is a real tack driver with factory and hand loaded ammo.
Anyway, who needs a 10 round magazine that sticks out so far? I had to laugh when I first saw this rifle with this huge magazine sticking out and then only to fine out it was 10, not 20 rounds. Mossberg did it right by making a .223/5.56mm bolt action rifle which uses AR magazines! For home defense, this would be my last choice, a pump shotgun or AR would be my first choice.
I certainly would like to see a more universal and / or less expensive magazine option.
As to what should be that “one gun” to have when society implodes, allow me to casually reference the movie “The Road”.
The big plan, to create a well stocked arsenal in your home; with the idea of holding off an entire neighborhood of desperate marauders, will go south quickly. A few molotov cocktails thrown against the house; and those plans will change for the worse. If it’s a solid concrete bunker,then good for you, but you still need a dedicated air supply. Once they figure that out, again, you and yours are toast.
Presumedly, you’re now on the move, with only the supplies and ammo you can carry. Yes, you could make the argument, at this point, for the lighter .223/55.6mm round. I prefer to make the argument that a high rate of fire weapon is ridiculous when every single bullet is precious. (Days before the global collapse, everyone will know, except the american people. Tractor trailers will load-up primary survival merchandise (guns/ammo) from stores around the the country, to be stored in high security warehouses. What doesn’t get collected will be looted and depleted quickly.)
So the ability to resupply ammo will be questionable, at best, unless you have precious currency, gold, food, firearms, and most unfortunately women, to barter with.
Watch “The Road”. They don’t say what happened, but the world is toast. Only the most resilient survivors are left to wander a dead planet. Cannibalism has become rampant, and major reason for a personal weapon is to use on one’s self just before they catch you. (Being caged and kept alive to be farmed off for body parts, like a butcher shop, is not a particularly appealing fate.
When the world goes off line and the only supplies are the ones you can carry, every single shot has to planned for maximum advantage.
A Ruger One or a Scout will make you think about each and keep you from blowing your wad in one or two encounters.
Nobody is coming to resupply you. You’re totally on your own now.
From this depressing perspective, the Ruger Scout is definitely a keeper.
Offering it in .223 / 55.6mm, however, would be a very interesting option.
A very sad prospect. I have a GSR but harbor no hope that it, or any other firearm, will stave off the collapse of the society I once assumed would endure…even prosper. I could not, until recently, conceive of an America whose greatest enemy would reside in the White House.
I do remember years ago when Ruger was considering making a Big brother to the Mini/Ranch version there was quite a bit of rumbling about it to being able to take the M14 mag but Bill stepped in because he saw what the Feds were going to do claiming it was a battle rifle and not a sporting weapon. That was also why all mini-223 don’t take M-16 mags too. He knew that the after market people would gear up to satisfy the demand. At least that was what his son told me at a NRA Gunshow years ago.
Nice review. Ruger is now making tough-looking polymer mags for the Scout rifle:
http://www.tacticalgearmag.com/profiles/blogs/tough-looking-mags-for-the-ruger-gunsite-scout-rifle
Not the same concept, but the Mossberg MPV is a bolt action that takes AR magazines, in .233. I got excited about it until I found out it is intended as a varmit rifle–long, heavy, and unhandy. I have an FR8 that I bought a few years ago for $150. Drill and tap and I will have basically the same thing at a much reduced price. I’m with the “why didn’t they make it for M1A mags?” group. Awfully expensive.
$80 single single stack mags? They better be made of unobtainium at that price. For the price of 3 mags I could buy a short barrel Yugo Mosin and a crate of ammo. All I’d need then is a nice scope and BINGO I’d have a “scout” rifle with a giant bayonet/tent stake attached.
No, Chris these mags are not made of unobtainium they are now made of unafforium. I wouldn’t buy this gun as I think it’s way out of line in price. Expensive new collectors guns are nice but the proof is in the pudding. I have an AR-10 and am unhappy with the mags and their reliability. I’ll stick with my surplus M-14 thanks.
A Scout Rifle with a single stack 10 round mag.? Additional mags @ $70.+? I beg the question “why”? The person that wrote the ‘above’ review considers this a fine “family” defense weapon. Well, yes it could be with the availability of current 20 round magazines. Just another case of a manufacturer taking advantage of the shooting public.
As a Viet Nam vet, I assure you I would prefer a 20rd mag over a 10 rd mag any day or nite of the week.
Funny….Ruger uses a similar mag as Remington does in their detachable mag model 700, and the armchair “experts” go nuts. Many have said that they could have designed it to use the M1A magazine, yet it’s funny that no other company has done so either. Perhaps there’s reasons that the real engineers understand that the amateurs don’t. Not mentioned in the article, Ruger has already gone a step further, and introduced polymer versions of the mag, that’s both shorter and less expensive, in 3, 5, and 10 round versions.
And Todd, since the Cooper inspired Steyr Scout rifle that he helped design, has an optional 10 round magazine that protrudes below the action, I guess it must not be “in keeping with the Scout concept” either. Hopefully you got a chance to explain that to the Colonel before he passed away.
The first thing that came to mind for me was: The FR8 Built off the 98 Mouser by the Spanish in the late 40s & really quite a brute in of it’s self ! “LOUD!” from what I hear & about half the cost. I see exelent examples pop up on GB now & then around 400 bucks & the FR7 is the same rifle in 7mm I believe. I like this rifle & Rugers action is” Very Mouser “so it is rock solid ! For me, if this rifle & the FR8 were on one table & I had the 1000 bucks to spend, I’d take the FR8 for even 5 bills & spend the rest on my scope & ammo. Also, around my place, 200 yrds would be a long shot as we have “Brush” lots of it! Thats why we have the M1 Carbine with a scout rail, 5 lbs & WAY handier than either of the bolt rifles. The carbine has near 30-30 balistics & 5-10-15 & 30 rnd cap. mags, Choices are nice & the mags are cheap. If like me, you like this rifle but don’t have that kind of money to spend because our “Leaders” ? are letting Banksters rob us blind & exporting all of our jobs … Look into the FR8 & get creative if you have to have a FWD Mounted scope. God Bless the Thompson ! & the Rule of Law ! RC
As a point of interest, and I own and shoot both extensively, the carbine does not come close to the 30-30. Try loading a 150gr. bullet in a carbine and hitting something at 150 yards. I tend to agree that most people buy more gun than they need or can afford. I have not seen an FR8 in a lot of years, but it was an interesting creature. I actually saw one some years back that had a forward scope mount. It was back when Cooper was in his Remington 60o stage early in the scout rifle history. I do not know what it cost the guy but it wasn’t $500.
I been looking a scout rifle but I was sold idea of the ruger scout rifle long range rifle.I think the rifle good for small range rifle.I still waiting foe somebody can tell me that it will bego long range rifle.
M1A mags are $20. USGI contract.
I’m not getting it ’bout the mags. What’s with Ruger? They have an opportunity to build this thing to take mags from an M1A, FAL or anything and they pick that protrusion monster of a single stack from AI? I like the concept of the rifle but a double stack in 5 rounds would have been nearly, if not completely flush in keeping with the “Scout” concept.
Not impressed with this scout rifle from ruger.
For .308 really rather have an 18″ barrel.
10 rd. magazine is way too long for shooting in the prone. Why not use readily available m1a magazines (5, 10 , 20 rds)? For as long as their 10 rd is might as well be a 20 rd.
Flash hider?
Looks like it was made of left overs from other ruger arms
The Gunsight Scout is one of the only Ruger rifles ever made with all of its own (non-interchangeable) parts. This gun was built from the ground up and each part of it was specifically designed for this gun. There has been so much detail put into the engineering of this gun and it shows in the way it shoots. A buddy of mine recently bought one and at 150 yards he was shooting 2″ groups…without a rest. The trigger alone is one of the nicest I’ve ever had the pleasure to pull, it weighs in at around 2.5lbs I believe, which makes this gun unbelievably accurate. The barrel size has nothing to do with it either especially the 1.5″ you so desperately need.(don’t we all) You can also buy 5 round mags which are better off the bench and prone but its marketed with the 10 as a battle rifle and long gun in one. Overall its an awesome gun and is very Impressive to say the least.
Excellent review — many thanks for the information!
Ruger has their 5-round metal magazines for $64, 10-round metal magazines for $70 and new 3-, 5- and 10-round polymer magazines for $39.95 on their website.
I just got my GSR and mounted a 2.75 Leupold Scout scope on the forward rail. This rifle is outstanding! It has one of the slickest bolt throws I’ve ever felt on a production gun. The trigger is crisp with very little slack or overtravel. If you ever have the chance, you need to get one.
Great rifle! I have one in the LH configuration, and it gets tight groups even with cheap Russian ammo. My only gripe is the magazine; if they must have a pricey magazine, I wish it could be top-loaded, so I could use stripper clips. If the mags were reasonably priced, like FAL mags, I’d have a couple of dozen!
Peter, where did you get your left hand confirgured rifle at. Did the dealer charge you extra for the LH version? Please use my email to reply.
The LH version is the same price from the distributors as the RH version (I’m an FFL).
FRIENDS THAT HAS TO BE ONE OF THE FINEST LOOKING WEAPONS I HAVE EVER SEEN! I ALSO TRUST YOUR ALL’S TESTING AND JUDGEMENT AND FROM THAT I WOULD PURCHASE ONE IF I EVER GET THE CHANCE. I AM A DISABLED VETERAN AND RIGHT NOW FUNDS ARE TIGHT, BUT IF GOD WILL ALLOW IT SOMEDAY I HOPE TO BE A PROUD OWNER OF ONE OF THESE BRUTES! THIS WOULD BE IDEAL FOR MORE SQUAD MEMBERS TO CARRY AND USE AS A SNIPER RIFLE AND THE RIFLE IS ALSO IDEAL FOR MY GRANDSON TO FIRE AND HE IS NINE. IT LOOKS ALSO LIKE A EXCELLENT BRUSH GUN AND HAS THE STOPPING POWER TO BRING DOWN MOST BIG GAME IN THE US. THANK YOU ALL FOR THE INPUT AND THANK YOU RUGER FOR MAKING ANOTHER FINE WEAPON/RIFLE. TAKE CARE AND GOD BLESS!
I feel for you, Brother. I am also a disabled veteran. After 30 years of military service, I retired in SEP 10. I waited a year on the decision from the VA, but still have not received the back pay. Unlike the author, I feel we are in for troubling times in the near future. Despite the financial hardship of living on just an Army pension, I purchased multiple weapons and a nice stockpile of ammo this year. I charged the stuff that I could not afford. I will pay it off when the Veterans Administration finally settles with me. I did not buy an M77, though. I chose the Mini-14 instead. I already owned an M4, so I can focus on just .223 REM when I shop. I wish you and all of America’s finest the best in health, wealth and happiness. God Bless!
I too am waiting for reply from the VA on a hearing loss, heart disease, and prostate going on 2 years now. I spent 4 years in the Air Force during the Vietnam War. When I retired from the police force after 30 years I stocked up on ammo a a few choice weapons. 4 years into my retirement I suffered a heart attack while training to go to Iraq to train their police force.
I am finally starting to feel better but since I have a pacemaker on the same side of my heart that I shoot left handed, I am unable to shoot a rifle again. Although I only have one-half of a heart, I am getting around fairly well now. I have been shooting a handgun lately, my expertise was the rifle. Now I am going to retrain myself to shoot righty. I used to have health, wealth and happiness, but now have none. At least I have tomorrow. The VA system Motto….hurry up and wait.
Lemme get this right: 4 years in the AIR FORCE in what, the early ’70s? then 30 years a cop, and you think the VA should pay your medical bills??? I’m truly sorry about your medical problems, but why are they the federal government’s responsibility?
I do wish you the best of health. Maybe you oughta rethink your strategy here, though.
Really ?…..How young and ignoant are you? This man fought for our country in the worst bullshit Police Action possible. He is a war hero at ANY AGE and deserves his spoils of war. You make me ill sir.
With the right backstop, you can shoot skeet w/ a 308 Scout rifle. It is the first center-mass hit that wins…