Ruger/Gunsite Scout Rifle - gunwriters' review

deadduck357

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Ruger has released their new Gunsite Scout Rifle. The rifle was designed in conjunction with Gunsite and based off Jeff Cooper's concept of what a scout rifle should entail.

Colonel Cooper's idea calls for a rifle of light weight, quick-handling, and chambering in a cartridge suitable for both fighting and hunting. This new offering - the latest evolution of the M77 - is highly adaptable to almost any conceivable role, featuring a 1913 Picatinny rail positioned adequately for either a forward-placed scout scope or any number of holographic or red-dot optics. Further, Ruger saw fit to make standard fixed iron sights such as those found on the Mini-14 and Mini-30. Removal of the rear sight will allow for use of a traditional hunting scope through Ruger's proprietary integral mounts. Notable also is the inclusion of the AC-556 styled flash suppressor (with muzzle threaded to 5/8x24 tpi) detachable in the event one wishes to affix a sound suppressor.

Taking into account the varying builds of the individual, the rifle's length of pull is adjustable by means of three spacers. The stock butt pad is soft and highly recoil absorbent. With a 16.5-in. barrel and chambered for .308 Win. my initial impression was that the rifle would give a brisk kick; that wasn't the case. To my surprise, recoil was negligible and led me to believe that the butt pad is highly shock dampening. The stock is black laminate and has a substantial feel not found in rifles fitted with polymer offerings.

The rifle feeds from either a 5-round or 10-round single stack detachable box magazine, which comes from the Accuracy International and Badger designs. Ruger opted for the single stack over the double with an aim of improving reliability. Releasing the magazine is accomplished through a lever similar to that of the Mini-14/30.

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I had the privilege of being invited to a gunwriters' review by Ruger for the unveiling at Gunsite. Needless to say I jumped at the chance. We spent three days at Gunsite - one for the introduction and initial range session, the second spent on our choice of shooting courses; the Scrambler was a blast. Temperatures were in the upper 50s during the day and the nights were in the upper 20s and lower 30s.
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At the introduction we also received a Carhartt jacket embroidered with the Ruger label and a Ruger/Gunsite Scout Rifle shirt.
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The target is from Ruger's 50-yard testing of the rifle. After 4,170 rounds of Winchester Power Point 180-gr, an accuracy test was performed with 30 rounds and a Leupold scout scope. The result is this following group.
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The rifle I was given for review. Mine was fitted with a Burris 2.75 Scout Scope and a Ching Safari Sling. Other participants used rifles in varying configurations, including iron sites, conventional scope setups, and holographic red dots. In excess of twenty rifles were provided by Ruger. Overall length is 38.00 in - 39.50 in. depending on spacers used. Weight is 7 lbs.
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The distinctive AC-556 type flash suppressor. The rifling is 6 grooves in 1/10-in. RH twist.
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Mag well and trigger group are a single unit. Visible here is the lever magazine release.
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Gunsite's logo is prominently displayed on the bottom of the pistol grip.
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The Gunsite instructors and range officers. Left to right: Il Ling New, Ed Head, Chris Weare, LaMonte Kintsel. All were very helpful. On the first day they all came across as hardasses, but by the third day they were easy to get along with.
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One of two racks of rifles.
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Il Ling New demonstrating the high ready position and handling of the rifle.
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Il Ling instructing on the kneeling position.
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And the sitting position.
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She knows her rifles.
 
First group on the firing line, shooter's choice kneeling or sitting.
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Jeff Quinn putting the Scout rifle through its paces, offhand.
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Mark Gurney from Ruger (at right) and me at left. High ready.
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Another gunwriter running the Scrambler.
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Another stage.
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The Scout rifle, fitted with the 10-rd magazine.
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And the 5-rd.
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Left to right: Michael Bane, myself, and Jeff Quinn.
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Three days at Gunsite. Lots of new stuff. Lots of good memorable times. I met a lot of good gun people, shot some new firearms, burned a lot of free ammo - what could be better?

Thanks to Ruger and Gunsite for the opportunity to participate and the experience. It was a blast.
 
Checked out your review again, it was interesting to see and hear a bit more about what goes on at one of those rollouts. Now I want one. The Mini 14 never quite grabbed me enough to buy one, partly because I don't need another .223, but I really like this rifle and the .308.
 
The flash hider unscrews and the Scout Rifle will accept any 5/8x24 .30 caliber muzzle device, including a sound suppressor.....and with subsonic .308 win ammo, it would sound like an airsoft rifle.
 
Nice write up. Looks like an interesting rifle.

I have that same scope that you used, the Burris 2.75 Scout Scope, mounted on my 7.7 mm Japanese Arisaka that my grandfather brought back from WW2 in the Pacific. The mount is one that fits into the space for the stock rear site, and can be removed without damaging or altering the rifle in any way so that the original rear site can be put back on. That scope is a really nice one and has terrific optics, and my eye finds it so naturally when shouldering the rifle to aim. If anyone is considering this new Ruger or any type of scout scope set up, I recommend that Burris 2.75 Scout Scope.
 
Great write up, I enjoyed it.
I love the .308 Frontier, and thats what I hunt with, but have often wished for Iron Sights, and an adjustable LOP.
I had to adjust mine myself with spacers and a Packmyer.
Im glad Ruger listened to those of us that use their products.
They came through like a champ with this model.
This is the ultimate utility carbine, and I would recomend it to anyone.
 
Duck: Thanks a lot...Being the Ruger devotee that I am, I was interested as soon as I saw the photos of the rifle. Now, after that stellar report, I GOTTA GET ONE!! Any idea if they'll be offering other calibers later on, or in stainless finish ?
 
thanks

did not know about this.

But wished it used common military surplus mags like M-14, FNFAL, G3, etc. instead.

Thank you.
PS
also, would have being nice if they had synthetic stock instead(lighter but at expense of increased recoil).
 
sitting position

(s)he would be a lot more stabler if she/he rested her elbows on knees and/or ground. Also, if the bent legs were flat, flush with ground.
 
Thanks fellas.

Single Six, not sure about a SS version, but they are working on a left hand model. There was also mention of future calibers, I think I remember hearing the possibility of a 243, 7mm-08, 338 Fed., and maybe a short magnum.
 
theinvisibleheart, the single stack is simple and reliable. The laminated stock is solid vs the hollow plastic, they wanted it to have a solid feel and yes the benefit is less felt recoil and you can also use the stock as a weapon. The solid laminate will hurt much more than hollow plastic.

As for the pics Il Ling is superb with a rifle, I just didn't get the pics on time, she was instructing and many were trying to get up front to get pics, took 'em when I could.
 
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