Had a 03A3 with a sporter stock and a Lyman target peep about a decade ago, and set it up for kinda like the Scout concept. A coupla things.....
First, accuracy was acceptable, well inside 2" at 100 yards with the peep sight.I did the trigger and glassed the action, freefloating the bbl,etc, to make its zero rock steady and unmoving. A mess of stripper clips was purchased at a gun show,and I loaded up about 100 rounds of a pet load and began to try it out.
Second, it was lots heavier than it needed to be. Never weighed it, but estimated it to run close to what an M-14 does, something I've experience carrying/using.
Third, while the weight and balance was not perfect,I did run a course or two with it with OK results. Good snap shooting out to 75 yards offhand and further with positions.
Fourth, for the mission, strippers were OK but some loose ammo was a good idea to top off with.
Fifth, the mil spec sturdiness of the 03A3 meant reliability under stress conditions.
Summation, while the weight can be dealt with(Synthetic stock, lighter contour bbl), IMO it just should be lived with if possible.
The 03A3 does not make up a good Cooper style Scout, but it does make a superlative field rifle for rough conditions and a wonderful survival tool.