triggerhappy2006
New member
Alright so recently(or it seems like recently) there has been a resurgence of talk about the scout rifle being the perfect one gun rifle; handy, intermediate cartridge(or .223 for availability), low-medium power optics or FTA iron sights. My argument to this is, while a scout rifle isn't a bad choice, a DMR(Designated Marksmen Rifle) is a better just one gun, rifle.
A DMR is generally a similar platform to standard issue weapons (both M14's and M16's have been modified to DMR's), is equipped with a medium variable power scope, 3-9X36 is the standard on the SAM-R and the MK11 and 3-15X50 was used on the DMR before it was phased out, and is generally equipped with backup iron sights. So a DMR would have superior effective range over a scout rifle, with back up iron sights one could easily equip a the optics with QD rings and remove the longer range optics and utilize the irons for the FTA if necessary, use a holosight/reflex sight with a magnifier, or a holosight/reflex sight mounted on top of the scope, optics options are pretty much unlimited these days.
While DMR/EMR and SAM-R/SR25(MK11)'s all have longer (22" ish) barrels, it wouldn't be a problem to cut back to 20" or even 18" to maintain the handiness of the scout rifle and still be able to effectively engage targets or take game out at 500+ meters with decent application of marksmanship skills.
What are some other thoughts on this, with modern optics options and the ability to remove optics and no loose zero, I would say having a traditionally mounted medium power scope with a top mounted holosight or secondary sights would be a better "just one gun" rifle than the scout rifle concept.
Not saying the scout rifle is a flawed concept or that a scout rifle do a great job being a lightweight general purpose gun, I just think for modern use a longer range DMR with a FTA option is a more useful design as far as a one gun gun goes.
EDIT:added paragraphs. Also definition of "Just one gun" is literally your only rifle, no other choices sitting in the safe, whether your hunting varmints or deer or fighting off OPFOR, you have one rifle. DMR in either a intermediate or 5.56/5.45 cartridge would be better IMO than a rifle of the same caliber set up as a scout rifle. Also semi auto isn't a solid rule for a DMR, while most military DMR's are either m14's or m16's, a ruger GSR or marlin levergun equipped with a normal scope and bipod would be a sufficient DMR. I guess what I'm getting at is a mid powered scope with a secondary option is easier to obtain these days than it was back when the scout rifle was first engineered, so is the scout rifle still holding its position as "best one gun, gun"
A DMR is generally a similar platform to standard issue weapons (both M14's and M16's have been modified to DMR's), is equipped with a medium variable power scope, 3-9X36 is the standard on the SAM-R and the MK11 and 3-15X50 was used on the DMR before it was phased out, and is generally equipped with backup iron sights. So a DMR would have superior effective range over a scout rifle, with back up iron sights one could easily equip a the optics with QD rings and remove the longer range optics and utilize the irons for the FTA if necessary, use a holosight/reflex sight with a magnifier, or a holosight/reflex sight mounted on top of the scope, optics options are pretty much unlimited these days.
While DMR/EMR and SAM-R/SR25(MK11)'s all have longer (22" ish) barrels, it wouldn't be a problem to cut back to 20" or even 18" to maintain the handiness of the scout rifle and still be able to effectively engage targets or take game out at 500+ meters with decent application of marksmanship skills.
What are some other thoughts on this, with modern optics options and the ability to remove optics and no loose zero, I would say having a traditionally mounted medium power scope with a top mounted holosight or secondary sights would be a better "just one gun" rifle than the scout rifle concept.
Not saying the scout rifle is a flawed concept or that a scout rifle do a great job being a lightweight general purpose gun, I just think for modern use a longer range DMR with a FTA option is a more useful design as far as a one gun gun goes.
EDIT:added paragraphs. Also definition of "Just one gun" is literally your only rifle, no other choices sitting in the safe, whether your hunting varmints or deer or fighting off OPFOR, you have one rifle. DMR in either a intermediate or 5.56/5.45 cartridge would be better IMO than a rifle of the same caliber set up as a scout rifle. Also semi auto isn't a solid rule for a DMR, while most military DMR's are either m14's or m16's, a ruger GSR or marlin levergun equipped with a normal scope and bipod would be a sufficient DMR. I guess what I'm getting at is a mid powered scope with a secondary option is easier to obtain these days than it was back when the scout rifle was first engineered, so is the scout rifle still holding its position as "best one gun, gun"
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