So tell me your thoughts about the Ruger Gunsite Scout
- Thread starter t45
- Start date
Pluses: Solid and reliable. Would make a great truck gun with the laminated stock and rugged iron sights.
Minuses: Heavy. Way too heavy to be considered a good Scout rifle where weight is a primary concern, although that does not make it a bad rifle.
Magazine sticks out too far for the capacity.
Expensive.
Minuses: Heavy. Way too heavy to be considered a good Scout rifle where weight is a primary concern, although that does not make it a bad rifle.
Magazine sticks out too far for the capacity.
Expensive.
Well I can only tell you based on one shot. The guy shooting next to me today was shooting one and I have to say, I really liked the looks, we started talking about it and he offered me to shoot it.
Well, I was surprised by how light it weighed, it only had a 16 inch barrel and felt great in my hands, very comfortable and would be a pleasure to go hunting with. Well I am not a 308 fan (243 for me) but I have been fascinated by that caliber and am considering a 308 AR for my next purchase, that or a 260. But back to the RGS, the trigger pull was very smooth, no creep and let off very sharp, the recoil did surprise me but was very controllable and did not effect point of impact. We were shooting 50 yards and he was shooting open sights, no scope on the rifle. The ghost ring was easy to use and very accurate, so my first (and only) shot was dead center, but 2 inches high. (we were shooting 50 yards) So this is what I would expect.
I don't know about the scout mounting for a scope, I like my scopes farther back, but I could see a fixed 4 or 6 powder scope on this rifle and would make a hunting shot 100 to 300 yards supper accurate.
If I was looking for a light weight field gun to go out to get game, this would be one of the perfect rifles to take with.
Just my view on a single shot.
Jim
Well, I was surprised by how light it weighed, it only had a 16 inch barrel and felt great in my hands, very comfortable and would be a pleasure to go hunting with. Well I am not a 308 fan (243 for me) but I have been fascinated by that caliber and am considering a 308 AR for my next purchase, that or a 260. But back to the RGS, the trigger pull was very smooth, no creep and let off very sharp, the recoil did surprise me but was very controllable and did not effect point of impact. We were shooting 50 yards and he was shooting open sights, no scope on the rifle. The ghost ring was easy to use and very accurate, so my first (and only) shot was dead center, but 2 inches high. (we were shooting 50 yards) So this is what I would expect.
I don't know about the scout mounting for a scope, I like my scopes farther back, but I could see a fixed 4 or 6 powder scope on this rifle and would make a hunting shot 100 to 300 yards supper accurate.
If I was looking for a light weight field gun to go out to get game, this would be one of the perfect rifles to take with.
Just my view on a single shot.
Jim
Magnum Wheel Man
New member
Been looking at similar for a while... but think the Mossberg gets my nod
been wanting something similar for while now... the guns I've handled have been smooth ( I've not fired one though ) the stock is pretty short for me, & looks a bit funky with all the spacers added... I particularly like the stainless / walnut version offered through Cabelas
however, I think I've decided to buy a Mossberg MVP Varmint in .308 ( new this year ) not as handy a carbine, but more of what I was looking for... if I actually handle one, & don't like it, it'll be the stainless / Walnut Ruger for sure
been wanting something similar for while now... the guns I've handled have been smooth ( I've not fired one though ) the stock is pretty short for me, & looks a bit funky with all the spacers added... I particularly like the stainless / walnut version offered through Cabelas
however, I think I've decided to buy a Mossberg MVP Varmint in .308 ( new this year ) not as handy a carbine, but more of what I was looking for... if I actually handle one, & don't like it, it'll be the stainless / Walnut Ruger for sure
Unlicensed Dremel
Moderator
No experience here, but looks like a good neat rifle. It's a good start and would be a good all-purpose rifle, but
--As mentioned, it's heavy. As nice as the stock looks, finding a lighter one would help to further this rifle's purpose. Carbon / aramid fiber stock, with aluminum chassis/pillars.
--Detachable mag. This is not a huge deal, but I'd rather have a hinged floorplate or blind mag, loaded from stripper clips. So the Frontier non-RGS is arguably a better choice - you could mill your own stripper clip guides, I believe. Detachable mags are just something to lose (and can get in the way shooting prone or other tight spaces).
--Chambering. .308 is ok, but would like to see 7mm-08 and .260 rem offerings, both being better all-purpose rounds, IMO - arguably.
But I like the other features - forward scope mount, short barrel, flash hider.
--As mentioned, it's heavy. As nice as the stock looks, finding a lighter one would help to further this rifle's purpose. Carbon / aramid fiber stock, with aluminum chassis/pillars.
--Detachable mag. This is not a huge deal, but I'd rather have a hinged floorplate or blind mag, loaded from stripper clips. So the Frontier non-RGS is arguably a better choice - you could mill your own stripper clip guides, I believe. Detachable mags are just something to lose (and can get in the way shooting prone or other tight spaces).
--Chambering. .308 is ok, but would like to see 7mm-08 and .260 rem offerings, both being better all-purpose rounds, IMO - arguably.
But I like the other features - forward scope mount, short barrel, flash hider.
roashooter
Moderator
I agree with "UD"...the RGS would benefit from a blind magazine/stripper clip...the extended magazines are more trouble than they are worth.....that alone has kept me from buying one.
Their proprietary magazine is the only feature that keeps the Ruger Scout from selling in huge numbers and owning the whole scout market.
Mossburg brought out their MVP and it takes M14 and AR10 mags. Those mags cost anywhere from $18 to 30 dollars each.
The 20 round AR10 mags are about the same size as the Ruger mag, but the Ruger mag holds only 10 rounds and the price is so high as to be insult to the intelligence of the buying public.
A 10 round mag the size of a 20 round mag that costs 2 ½ to 3X as much.
Hummmmmm!
What were those boys at Ruger thinking when they did that?
Mossburg brought out their MVP and it takes M14 and AR10 mags. Those mags cost anywhere from $18 to 30 dollars each.
The 20 round AR10 mags are about the same size as the Ruger mag, but the Ruger mag holds only 10 rounds and the price is so high as to be insult to the intelligence of the buying public.
A 10 round mag the size of a 20 round mag that costs 2 ½ to 3X as much.
Hummmmmm!
What were those boys at Ruger thinking when they did that?
Yea, but half the mag capacity in the same size magazine. I thought very hard about one when they first came out and finally decided the negatives outweighed the positives. They looked good on paper, but the first one I picked up turned me off.
Forward mounted scopes are a huge handicap. Their only real advantage is to allow loading with stripper clips or on top ejecting guns like the Winchester 94. No reason to use the feature on a DBM gun. A low powered scope mounted conventionally does everything better. Fortunately this is still a possibility on the Ruger.
They do make lower capacity magazines that don't protrude as much. But buying several magazines just increases the already too high price tag for what you get. And it is still WAAAAAY too heavy.
I ended up with the Ruger American Compact. Much less weight, cheaper 4 or 5 round mags ( depending on caliber) that don't protrude. With a 1-4X20 scope mounted conventionally it is a better scout rifle than the scout. And I can buy 2 and scope them for about the same price as one unscoped RGS rifle.
Forward mounted scopes are a huge handicap. Their only real advantage is to allow loading with stripper clips or on top ejecting guns like the Winchester 94. No reason to use the feature on a DBM gun. A low powered scope mounted conventionally does everything better. Fortunately this is still a possibility on the Ruger.
They do make lower capacity magazines that don't protrude as much. But buying several magazines just increases the already too high price tag for what you get. And it is still WAAAAAY too heavy.
I ended up with the Ruger American Compact. Much less weight, cheaper 4 or 5 round mags ( depending on caliber) that don't protrude. With a 1-4X20 scope mounted conventionally it is a better scout rifle than the scout. And I can buy 2 and scope them for about the same price as one unscoped RGS rifle.
Unlicensed Dremel
Moderator
How so, exactly?
Dirty_Harry
New member
I had one, and it was really neat. It was a good feeling and looking rifle. I bought it on a whim, and didnt see much use for it in my collection. Action isnt the smoothest, but very reliable. I only shot to 50 yards, but was getting 1" groups with Fiocchi range ammo.
steveNChunter
New member
If you like the Ruger M77 Hawkeye action, and want a short, handy rifle with a laminate stock, also consider the Laminate Compact. It's better than the RGS in my opinion for two main reasons: You can mount a scope in the normal location and it has a hinged floorplate instead of a DBM. It comes in .308, 7-08, .243, and .223
Or you could do what I did and make your own out of another rifle. For example a Remington 700:
It's a .308 with a 16.25" barrel, Cerakote finish, and Boyd's lefty thumbhole stock. The RGS and laminate compact gave me ideas for how this rifle turned out.
Or you could do what I did and make your own out of another rifle. For example a Remington 700:
It's a .308 with a 16.25" barrel, Cerakote finish, and Boyd's lefty thumbhole stock. The RGS and laminate compact gave me ideas for how this rifle turned out.
No argument there. IMO the magazine is twice as long as it needs to be for the capacity just for styling reasons.
Not so. A low power forward mounted scope is lightning fast for quick shots if used correctly.
Yup. Blame the laminated wood stock and the barrel contour.
The sad thing about the GSR is that Ruger has the capability of building a really nice affordable lightweight scout if they put their mind to it. But they won't because they built this instead.
It's not a bad rifle, but it's not a very good Scout. If only they'd called it the "Tactical LightningBolt" or the "Truck Buddy" instead of "Scout Rifle".
Unlicensed Dremel
Moderator
That's kind of my thinking.
My GSR is my favorite bolty to shoot by FAR. Definitely the most fun.
The ten round mags were a huge selling point for me. It's great to load up and not have to constantly stop and reload. I'm not really into stripper clips or floor plates. I have enough boltys with floor plates. The five round mags aren't expensive and lay pretty flush...but I just leave my ten rounder in. I like the added capacity hog hunting.
The short length makes it a great carry despite what people say about the weight. It's lighter than my semi autos including my AR.
I've played with the scopes in different forward and standard setups. I like the extra field of view with the forward. It's awesome to have the iron sights for a backup. If you are into the whole SHTF stuff I can see the allure of not having to rely on any other optics. I guess if you are going there it's also a plus that you have a beast of a mauser style extractor.
I have only shot out to a couple hundred yards but I'm super pleased with the accuracy.
To me it's just a great utility rifle. Don't really have anything bad to say about it. It's not for everyone. If the concept makes sense to you, you'll love it. If it doesn't, you wont lol.
The ten round mags were a huge selling point for me. It's great to load up and not have to constantly stop and reload. I'm not really into stripper clips or floor plates. I have enough boltys with floor plates. The five round mags aren't expensive and lay pretty flush...but I just leave my ten rounder in. I like the added capacity hog hunting.
The short length makes it a great carry despite what people say about the weight. It's lighter than my semi autos including my AR.
I've played with the scopes in different forward and standard setups. I like the extra field of view with the forward. It's awesome to have the iron sights for a backup. If you are into the whole SHTF stuff I can see the allure of not having to rely on any other optics. I guess if you are going there it's also a plus that you have a beast of a mauser style extractor.
I have only shot out to a couple hundred yards but I'm super pleased with the accuracy.
To me it's just a great utility rifle. Don't really have anything bad to say about it. It's not for everyone. If the concept makes sense to you, you'll love it. If it doesn't, you wont lol.
I love the idea of the gun and almost purchased one a few times. My issues is the weight. Its just way too heavy for a scout rifle. Every time i see a SS model I pick it up and handle one for a few minutes and always feel its waayy too heavy for what it is. I have too many nice rifles that are significantly lighter with a scope mounted.