I am not a big proponent of the scout rifle concept, I have fired one (Rem 600 in .308 with a Leupold scout scope) and it was okay, but I was curious- could anybody who is a big fan of the idea tell me why Cooper did not nor has anybody else to my knowledge, built a scout rifle on a Rem 788 action? Going with the criteria, it seems to me to be the perfect action for the concept. With the short lift, the action is extremely fast, the trigger is at least decent, they are very accurate, many came with short light barrels (some .308's had 18" bbls), they had the detachable mags, and were chambered in .308, 7-08, .243, and (I know, not a scout caliber) .223. Why has nobody built a scout rifle using this action? Or has it been done and I'm not aware?
Rem 788 Scout Rifle?
- Thread starter AZTrooper
- Start date
Art Eatman
Staff in Memoriam
The 788 would most likely serve. I was just reading the summer's articles by Cooper, and he made a few comments about the parameters of a scout-type rifle.
A scope is not a necessity. Long range capability is not a major item. "Handy", whence cometh the one-meter overall length and a total weight of seven pounds. As an "all around" cartridge, the .308 is obviously hard to beat. ("Just as good" is not the same as "better".)
Stuff like the bipod, the shell-holder in the buttstock, etc., are nice as options, but not necessities to meet the criteria.
A quick reload or a fast second shot is not a particularly important item. What Cooper stresses most is that target acquisition be rapid for the first shot, and the forward mounting of a low-power, LER scope facilitates this--once one has practiced.
So, the 788, the 600, the Sako Forester...There are numerous rifles that provide a basic structure. The new Ruger lightweight rifle, the Remington Model 7 or the Titanium 700...And others.
I really don't understand why all the fuss. One who is a scout is not a battle-infantryman. "All around" to me means you can hunt, or scout for people with an adequate fighting rifle for use as a scout would fight--to me, guerilla style.
The one area where it is not intended for use is from the benchrest. If one is not involved in BR competition, the use of a benchrest after sight-in is gun or load testing, mere entertainment, or just turning money into noise.
$0.02,
Art
A scope is not a necessity. Long range capability is not a major item. "Handy", whence cometh the one-meter overall length and a total weight of seven pounds. As an "all around" cartridge, the .308 is obviously hard to beat. ("Just as good" is not the same as "better".)
Stuff like the bipod, the shell-holder in the buttstock, etc., are nice as options, but not necessities to meet the criteria.
A quick reload or a fast second shot is not a particularly important item. What Cooper stresses most is that target acquisition be rapid for the first shot, and the forward mounting of a low-power, LER scope facilitates this--once one has practiced.
So, the 788, the 600, the Sako Forester...There are numerous rifles that provide a basic structure. The new Ruger lightweight rifle, the Remington Model 7 or the Titanium 700...And others.
I really don't understand why all the fuss. One who is a scout is not a battle-infantryman. "All around" to me means you can hunt, or scout for people with an adequate fighting rifle for use as a scout would fight--to me, guerilla style.
The one area where it is not intended for use is from the benchrest. If one is not involved in BR competition, the use of a benchrest after sight-in is gun or load testing, mere entertainment, or just turning money into noise.
$0.02,
Art
Rosco Benson
New member
The 788's were neat rifles...shooting very well for an economy-grade gun. They are not without their weaknesses however. Their bolt stops are weak and will break under rapid and forceful bolt operation. A friend of mine had his break again last Sunday.
Rosco
Rosco
I bought my 788 in .308 for this purpose. However, after consulting with AshleyOutdoors, they did not make an iron sight set for a 788. The barrel would have to be turned down for their mount, and all kinds of other work. I decided to keep the rifle as close to factory condition as possible, except i shortened the buttstock and added a decelerator pad. here's a pic:
I now prefer this type of 'scout' rifle:
I now prefer this type of 'scout' rifle: