Ruger Gunsite Scout .308

D

DATL

New member
Hey everyone,

A couple weeks ago a local gun shop had a .308 Ruger Gun Site Scout on the rack. Last week it was still there. I just couldn't help myself and had to scoop it up! I grew up reading Cooper's Corner in the back of my grandad's Guns & Ammo magazines- so have always been fond of Jeff Cooper and his ideas about the Scout concept. Not to mention I am a huge Ruger fan. Given that it was an obvious choice!

So far I'm loving it! I really like the look, feel, and fit/finish of it. I really enjoy shooting it so much more than any other bolt gun I have ever had! The magazine, picatinny rail, and flash hider adds to the fun. I didn't know how I'd like the forward mounting option with the scope/red-dot, but i'm loving it.

I put a little UTG Red/Green dot on it for the time being as you can see in the pic. So far so good though admittedly I've only had a chance to shoot it a few times in the same day, and only out to about 100-150 yards or so. It hit everything I aimed at, but I'm excited to see how far out I can meet my target with this thing.

The action is not as smooth as my M77 or Kimber 8400 but maybe it'll smooth out the more I shoot it. If not I can have it smoothed out but it's not a big deal. It's still fun as hell to shoot.

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Hey thank you! Honestly that's the thought process I was using when considering buying it- I felt like it just made sense for me in my scenario. I have nothing against assault rifles, and I understand the usefulness of them. But I wanted a bolt gun which is super simple to maintain, can shoot a generous sized caliber, hold more than 3 or so bullets, and is not so long where I could not maneuver around with is should I have to.

After seeing the speed at which a few of the "guru's" at the local range could cycle through a bolt action rifle with accuracy- I knew that it was possible to use one in MANY different scenarios.

Funny thing though- I saw a video (one of the first that came up in my search) where this one very popular (amateur?) online gun reviewer guy was absolutely STRUGGLING to manipulate the bolt action on one of these rifles. I am so happy I researched more after seeing that! He would shoot, look down at the rifle almost confused, clumsily manipulate the bolt/slide, look up, re-aim, etc... I am an amateur for sure but know it is/should NOT be like that operating a bolt action rifle. I have seen it done so much better! I think the gun was not tacticool looking enough for the guy which is part of the allure for me! When you clip in the five round magazine, the rifle does not look suspicious even one bit.
 
Rallyhound, I feel ya completely! I don't really hunt myself! My biggest qualm with bolt action rifles was the ammo capacity. I personally feel insecure with a (3) round capacity in some other boltys. Heck, when I initially saw this rifle I was there looking at mini-14's (and will still get one). But my allure to this bolt action rifle is that it is SO much more fun looking/shooting than any other bolty I have personally played with lol. Being a bolty it is SO simple to maintain, and I have seen them at the range eat everything to the cheapest, dirty, bulk ammo that you can find. Would it by my "only rifle could I have only one?" I dunno. Could it be? Absolutely :)
 
Glad you like it, have fun and I'm sure it will serve you well for years to come. Me? You probably don't want and definitely don't need my opinion one this one.

Good Luck.
 
I love the concept, if not the gun. I really wish it was offered in SS. the only other significant issue I see with it is as you pointed out, the trigger isn't getting very good reviews. That being said, if I run across one at the right price...
 
L_KILLKENNY thanks! Hey it's no worries man you can leave your opinion on it! I haven't found a perfect rifle to fit all needs ever so I'm not defensive about this one! (a M1A Socom was not in my budget- but as far as I can tell that may be my ideal rifle :))
 
PatientWolf I here ya, I am on a SS kick right now also. I don't mind this one not being SS because the black is more camouflaged. While I don't have any qualms with the trigger this may be because I am just now really getting more serious with rifles- I have always been more into handguns. But I like how Col. Cooper said "handguns are just to fight yourself back to your rifle" LOL. Additionally, I have a Ruger M77 30-06 so I very well may just be used to these triggers if they're similar.

trg42wraglefragle, I'm hoping to get some serious shooting in next weekend! If so I'll try and get some data back on it! I hear this short 16" barrel is going to bring the range in quite a bit for this .308. I have not had much practice out past 300-400 yards or so even with my 300 WSM, so it may not affect me for some time!
 
I like them. I looked one over at the local gun shop! My scout rifle is my O3'A3 with a synthetic stock...

I may one someday, as the design is attractive!
 
My local Freddies has 'em in stock. I glance at the rack from afar, but in general I try to avoid the gun counter. I really don't need to spend $800 on a toy right now.
 
I had been told the noise was punishing from the Scout. How do you find it? (Since you didn't mention it, I'll assume it's not as bad as I've heard, but it would be better to hear it from the shooter.)
 
I like the concept, but not the execution.

What I would have preferred to see:

-18" bbl, even that is punishingly loud. (Comparison SCAR 17 vs Larue PredatAR with 18" bbl with the same AAC Blackout FH)
-Conventional scope mounting position that didn't require removal the rear iron sights.
-Lighterweight polymer stock instead of the heavy laminate stock. As it is, it is nearly as heavy as a semi, which would be my only reason to chose a bolt over a semi.

I am hoping this will be popular enough that we will a model with the options above.

It is very nice looking though.

Let us know how it shoots.
 
I own one of those myself! Great rifle, ive shot .5" groups at 120yards with it using handloaded ammo. The action gets more smooth after 100 shots or so. Love this rifle, its a rock solid, compact, pretty accurate .308 and thats basically all you need.

however, im with crow hunter concerning the scope mount, i had to remove the rear iron sight because i have my scope mounted on the conventional position + i had to remove the forward rail because of the scope (3-9x40)...
no backup sights on a scout rifle...thats a bad thing.

+ the barrel could be a little more heavy for my taste, its getting pretty hot after 5 shots, the groups open up. the little extra weight wouldnt bother me.
in an emergency or hunting situation you shouldnt need more than 5 shot though...
 
A late welcome to TFL. Congratulations on your fine purchase; it's what I'm dreaming of. I now officially hate you!;) But seriously, enjoy. I plan to get mine ASAP. My plan is to buy it, and then send it off to Mahovsky's Metalife for application of their matte-silver finish...I don't care for blued finishes. Afterward, some distant, inanimate targets are in serious jeopardy!:D
 
I too prefer a low powered scope mounted conventionally. Coopers main reason for the forward mount was to be able to use stripper clips to rapidy reload a military style bolt gun, not for better optics. With the Rugers DBM there is no reason to use a forward mounted optic. A low powered scope conventionally mounted is faster at close range and more accurate at long range.

A regular rear sight mounted on the barrel with a scope in QD mounts would have been better in my opinion. But at least with the Ruger the rear peep sits in the rear scope dovetail. It could be carried in a pocket or pack and replaced fairly quickly after removing a conventionally mounted scope. An 18-20" barrel minus the flash hider and a lightweight stock would make more sense to me.

After seeing the speed at which a few of the "guru's" at the local range could cycle through a bolt action rifle with accuracy- I knew that it was possible to use one in MANY different scenarios.
Click to expand...
With practice a bolt gun is amazingly fast to shoot. I've done a little work with another person timing me and can get off 3 shots in 1.8 seconds with my bolt guns. Very little slower than the levers which run around 1.5 seconds for 3 shots.
 
Having worked one-on-one with Colonel Cooper on the Scout Rifle concept in the 1980's, and having a few of the original prototypes in my safe, here is what I believe Jeff would have said about the Ruger;

What they have managed to manufacture is a modern Lee Enfield Jungle Carbine with a forward scope mount, not a Scout Rifle as defined at Gunsite during the Scout Rifle conferences. It's close... but it's not a Scout Rifle.

Those who think that it should have a rear-mounted scope do not understand the Scout Rifle concept at all. Ditto those who favor the extended magazine.
Or the lack of a bipod.
Or the lack of a mid-mounted flush sling attachment point for a Ching Sling.
Or the presence of a conventional front sight, rather than one mounted on the forward edge of the front scope mount.

etc., etc...


Hate to be a scrooge, and I am VERY sure it's a VERY nice rifle, but it misses being a true Scout Rifle by a mile.


BTW, the Enfield Jungle Carbine was one of the rifles that we studied when coming up with the concept. Ditto the Remington 660, and the Krag Jorgensen. Each had it's own strong points and weak points. They were all studied in detail. Jeff's own personal "proto-scout" had a short CZ action. ine was built on the Remington Model 7 action. Neither was perfect. Only the Steyr Scout is a definitive Scout Rifle as defined by the Colonel.



Willie


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