Author Topic: The new Ruger GS Scout Rifle (Read 3286 times)

Birddog 1 · « **on:** September 15, 2011, 08:58:06 AM »

Does anyone have anything good or bad to say about the new Ruger Scout in 308 how does it shoot what kind of groups are you getting ( in 308 it should be 1/2 to 3/4 I would think) how is it performing how is the wood to metal finish, can you get a 5 round mag for it, is it worth what they want for it, and last but not lease where is the best deal for one.

Thank you. Birddog

redleg11b · « **Reply #1 on:** September 21, 2011, 03:09:29 PM »

Just glanced at a gun rag in the local stop-n-rob, and there was a write up on it. 1" groups at 50 yards with the irons, the TAP ammo from Hornady was turning some nice looking groups in another photo, but I wasn't interested enough to check at what distance. I looked at a few rags and don't remember which one this was in, sorry.

PowPow · « **Reply #2 on:** September 21, 2011, 07:46:55 PM »

Guy at the range was sighting his in with a 2x pistol scope. I spotted for him and he let me shoot it.
2" groups with factory ammo. We were using a target suitable for a 2x scope at 100 yards; a 5" diamond.
I think he was right going with the 2x as the scout mount begs for a quick acquisiton scope.
Although I will probably never be a GS-ophile, I shared in his excitement over the uniqueness of his new rifle. Like me when I got a Handi or a #1.

petemi · « **Reply #3 on:** September 24, 2011, 02:14:26 AM »

I haven't handled or shot one, but I checked it out on line to see if I might be interested. Well, in fact, I'm not. I don't see anything in it better than my .308 M77 MKII which I call "The Magic Rifle". It replaced a Remington 6mm Model 7. I've had it about 15 years and have killed scores of critters from squirrels to deer and just about all varmint species here. I don't know what a MKII sells for today, but when I bought it, I could get two for about a grand. The rifle is super accurate with 168 gr. Boat Tail Ballistic tips. I've made several shots on fox and coyote between 3 and 400 yards. The weight of the Scout is more than I would have expected. I'll have to put the MKII on the scale, but I think they're about the same weight. I don't think the 16.5 inch barrel is long enough to maximize powder burn in a .308. Add to that the fact that it is ugly.

Pete

mannyrock · « **Reply #4 on:** September 24, 2011, 08:52:05 AM »

Personally, I thought that Ruger had a great idea in bringing out the Scout.

But, I handled one at a gunshow a few weeks ago, and I was sorely disappointed.

It had all of the handling qualities of a folded camp shovel.

My quick analysis:

Action: Great!

Finish: Great!

16 inch barrel: idiotic. This is suppose to be an all-purpose rifle. That is the essence of a Scout. A 20 inch barrel is needed.

10 round magazine, hanging down like a brick: idiotic. The sleek handling quality is ruined. They should bring out an 8 round magazine and this may help alot.

I know that some folks will like them, but then they are not buying a
Scout. They are buying a brush gun and they should just admit it to themselves.

As it stands, it is just a 21st Century update of the Enfield Jungle Carbine.

A Marlin 336, in .30-30, with a straight grip stock and a 2.5 power scope, is a far more handy firearm and much closer to the scout concept.

Mannyrock

petemi · « **Reply #5 on:** September 24, 2011, 10:43:30 AM »

Mannyrock, ya mean like this?

Pete

mannyrock · « **Reply #6 on:** September 26, 2011, 05:53:18 AM »

Yea, . . . like that!

But, . . .er, . . . perhaps with a smaller scope with no bell, like a Weaver Classic K in 2.5 fixed power.

Mannyrock

drdougrx · « **Reply #7 on:** September 27, 2011, 04:40:58 PM »

I think it's a hodgepodge gun....a bunch of leftover parts....I can't see any real positive features in it. Manny is right idiotic. Buy if you like it.

OldSchoolRanger · « **Reply #8 on:** October 21, 2011, 05:18:04 PM »

I think a lot of folks are going to buy the gun because it is the "Gun Site Scout Rifle". They like the idea of the Scout Rifle concept dreamed up by Col. Jeff Cooper. To me the Ruger Scout Rifle isn't real practical, but a couple of Gun mags (American Rifleman & Guns) gave it a good write up.

The caliber (308) is a good choice. The idea of a detachable magazine while good theoretically, is hindered by the fact that Ruger designed its own proprietary magazine, which doesn't allow you to use a military magazine like the M-14 mag. This rifle would have been better served with a synthetic stock like the one used on the Mark II, the laminated stock adds in my opinion unnecessary weight. The 16" barrel, you either like it or not.

That said, if you like it buy it. But I think I'll pass.

R.W.Dale · « **Reply #9 on:** October 22, 2011, 08:30:06 PM »

One of these is definitely on my to get list.

A quality bolt action carbine that holds more than four rounds and comes with GOOD sights. What's to complain about.

Fyi m14 mags are to too wide to work w a m77 action. Instead ruger used accuracy international mags which are hardley rare, avalible from several makers and used by militaries world wide. In other words GOOD mags

Skeeterbaymac · « **Reply #10 on:** October 23, 2011, 11:58:02 AM »

I never wanted a scout rifle but if I did I think I would use an old Mauser. Maybe one of the little Yugo 48's or 24's. It could be re-barreled or left in 8mm and reloading with stripper clips would work just fine for me. About the only down side I can see is the Mauser might be a little heavy.

bulletstuffer · « **Reply #11 on:** October 23, 2011, 03:04:06 PM »

Saw one at the range. The owner was happy with it. Didn't look like anything special to me. I handled it but did not shoot it. Didn't see anything that would have made me want to go out and get one.

Bulletstuffer

Norm1057 · « **Reply #12 on:** October 23, 2011, 05:30:15 PM »

Like the idea, look, and concept of one but have not seen one in person yet. If I am to get one, it will be that much longer for a M1A! So, I am torn!

Skeeterbaymac · « **Reply #13 on:** October 27, 2011, 03:52:38 AM »

FWIW: I think I read somewhere that Imbel studied barrel lengths while designing their PARA FAL. They decided the shortest length barrel for the standard 7.62nato round should be a bit over 17 inches.

Quote from: petemi on September 24, 2011, 02:14:26 AM

I haven't handled or shot one, but I checked it out on line to see if I might be interested. Well, in fact, I'm not. I don't see anything in it better than my .308 M77 MKII which I call "The Magic Rifle". It replaced a Remington 6mm Model 7. I've had it about 15 years and have killed scores of critters from squirrels to deer and just about all varmint species here. I don't know what a MKII sells for today, but when I bought it, I could get two for about a grand. The rifle is super accurate with 168 gr. Boat Tail Ballistic tips. I've made several shots on fox and coyote between 3 and 400 yards. The weight of the Scout is more than I would have expected. I'll have to put the MKII on the scale, but I think they're about the same weight. I don't think the 16.5 inch barrel is long enough to maximize powder burn in a .308. Add to that the fact that it is ugly.

Pete

OldSchoolRanger · « **Reply #14 on:** October 27, 2011, 06:31:15 AM »

Quote from: R.W.Dale on October 22, 2011, 08:30:06 PM

One of these is definitely on my to get list.

A quality bolt action carbine that holds more than four rounds and comes with GOOD sights. What's to complain about.

Fyi m14 mags are to too wide to work w a m77 action. Instead ruger used accuracy international mags which are hardley rare, avalible from several makers and used by militaries world wide. In other words GOOD mags

I am aware that M-14 mags are too wide to work in the M77 action. That was my point exactly, what with the number of surplus M-14 mags on the market.
Regarding your second point, I am not criticizing the AI mags quality. I am saying that you can't find military surplus AI mags used by other militaries that will fit the Ruger scout. BTW, if it's from "several makers" then it's not an AI mag.

R.W.Dale · « **Reply #15 on:** October 28, 2011, 02:27:20 PM »

I just got the Facebook update from ruger that they now have polymer mags avalible (looks like tikka mags) in 10-5 and 3 round flavors for $38 Msrp

Now I really want one.

BTW if $38 is still too much for a magazine for you in the 21'st century you're just a tight......

JWP58 · « **Reply #16 on:** October 31, 2011, 06:04:42 AM »

I'm curious to know whats idotic about a 16" barrel? Why does it NEED a 22" barrel?

FPS lost wont affect anything out to 3-400yds. I'd love this rifle for all my hunting needs. Mount an aimpoint micro and you're set...

mannyrock · « **Reply #17 on:** November 08, 2011, 05:02:52 AM »

With respect to the issue of barrel length, the issue is not so much the velocity loss. A rifle with a 16 inch barrel just won't point. The muzzle bobs up and down all over the target every time you breath. The rifle is butt heavy.

About 3 weeks ago, I saw on a cable station a full test of the new Ruger Scout. Three shooters ran it through a fast paced military combat course. Besides the magazine hanging too low, the number one complaint was that they had real problems, especially when they had to shoot fast, keeping the muzzle on target when they shot. It wandered all over the place.

In the parts of the course where they had to run from station to station, and they were out of breath, they had to wait about 45 seconds, for their breathing to slow down, before they could even try to shoot.

As to the issue of velocity loss, I have never run any tests, but I'm betting that with a 16 inch barrel (as opposed to a 22 inch barrel), you have dropped the muzzle energy of a .308 Winchester down to about a .300 Savage.

Mannyrock

R.W.Dale · « **Reply #18 on:** November 10, 2011, 08:26:50 PM »

That's you're opinion and you're certainly entitled to it.

However that's all it is and not to be confused with fact. I for one am always better shooting with a gun that has its balance between my hands vs all on my forearm. That's the reason anytime I end up with an h-bar ar15 the barrel comes off and gets sent to addco for lightning first thing.

Quote from: mannyrock on November 08, 2011, 05:02:52 AM

With respect to the issue of barrel length, the issue is not so much the velocity loss. A rifle with a 16 inch barrel just won't point. The muzzle bobs up and down all over the target every time you breath. The rifle is butt heavy.

About 3 weeks ago, I saw on a cable station a full test of the new Ruger Scout. Three shooters ran it through a fast paced military combat course. Besides the magazine hanging too low, the number one complaint was that they had real problems, especially when they had to shoot fast, keeping the muzzle on target when they shot. It wandered all over the place.

In the parts of the course where they had to run from station to station, and they were out of breath, they had to wait about 45 seconds, for their breathing to slow down, before they could even try to shoot.

As to the issue of velocity loss, I have never run any tests, but I'm betting that with a 16 inch barrel (as opposed to a 22 inch barrel), you have dropped the muzzle energy of a .308 Winchester down to about a .300 Savag

Mannyrock

Swampman · « **Reply #19 on:** November 10, 2011, 11:19:50 PM »

In order to be a Scout rifle it has to meet Cooper's definition of a Scout rifle. IMO it's heavy. The laminated stock was a poor choice.
The most accurate barrel length for a .308 is a hair less than 20" but the the rifle may not make the length requirement.

Here's a definition...

http://www.scoutrifle.org/index.php?topic=971.0

pathfinder · « **Reply #20 on:** November 30, 2011, 09:50:27 AM »

I've owned one since February. I like it. Obviously not for everyone.

This is what I like about it.
-Bolt gun with good iron sights. I'd say on par with my 1903 A3.
-308 caliber. Wonderfully versatile and goes well with a handy gun.
-You can set it up without modification to whatever sight system you want.
-The new poly mags are great and can be fed from the top even when inserted in the rifle.
-It is light weight compared to my other bolt guns and almost as handy as my leverguns.
-I find it does point easily. I did some tactical carbine drills (25 yards and in) and without using the sights, just throwing the rifle up to my shoulder and firing I had no trouble getting on target, in-fact it was actually faster and more accurate with the Scout than I am with an AR for the first shot.
-The barrel is heavy enough that it shoots well even when it gets hot. My skinnier barreled Remingtons and CZ's don't hold the same POI when they get warm as they do from a cold barrel.
-Contrary to popular belief muzzle blast is a non issue. AR's a WAY worse. I've not had someone get up from the bench next to me because of the blast with the Scout.
-It is not particularly finicky. I shoot cast and jacketed bullets at both super and subsonic velocities, as heavy as 220 grains all the way down and they shoot well, some VERY well.
-I can shoot a better group with my CZ, it is a one hole gun, but I'd have to wait for the barrel to cool between shots. I can fire the Scout without cooling it down and it'll still shoot impressive groups. 2" is easy and I have a couple of 165gr JSP loads that I've managed 5 shot sub 1" groups with.
-The plywood stock has grown on me, heavy but very nice. I didn't buy the Savage because the stock was so cheesy.
-The threaded barrel will get a can when I can afford it.

What I don't like:
-Not crazy about the flash hider aesthetically. Wouldn't mind it just being a longer barrel.
-The ELEVEN round magazine that ships with the rifle is too big and makes the rifle clumsy to carry (the five round mags solve that)
-I'm mixed on a detachable mag vs. a stripper clip fed internal mag. I shoot my 1903 A3 in competition and I find it reloads plenty fast during the "rapid fire" courses of fire.
-Haven't found a good pouch to carry around the extra mags in yet.
-I'd like a magazine cutoff (very minor nit pic)
-Those that disapprove of this rifle will feel the need to tell you so. Those without that bias will want to shoot it (bring extra ammo for the hoards) I've never owned any firearm that attracted so much attention both positively and negatively.

The vast majority of my hunting is done with Leverguns mainly due to their handiness. This is the first bolt gun I've taken afield for about a decade. I enjoyed it and it will go again.

mannyrock · « **Reply #21 on:** December 03, 2011, 09:42:45 AM »

Pathfinder,

I am glad you are enjoying your rifle, and no doubt it is well made.

But the question of how a rifle "points" is how it handles from an unsupported standing shooting position at targets approaching 200 yards, not how it handles for snap shots at close tactical ranges of 25, 50 or 100 yards. A scout rifle is suppose to be an all around rifle, not just a combat weapon. :-)

Someone also said that my statement that the rifle doesn't point well was just my opinion, not a fact. Perhaps, but if so, it was also the strong opinion of the two rifle experts that shot it on the rifle course, that was televised recently.

Portability is not the same as pointability.

Mannyrock

pathfinder · « **Reply #22 on:** December 04, 2011, 05:50:55 AM »

I guess I'm confused as to what you mean by pointability.

These rifles are being used in silhouette matches - the rams are at 500 meters, the match is shot offhand - and doing well, within 2 or 3 targets of winning the match against rifles made for the silhouette game.

Do you recall which "two rifle experts" on TV made the claim?

I believe the GSR is an excellent choice as an all around rifle but there are much better choices for dedicated "combat weapons" which is NOT a use I intended for this rifle. Perhaps you misunderstood my point as I was just offering some actual live fire experience that demonstrated (to me) that this firearm does in fact point (my definition) quickly and naturally. That is also not to say that someone armed with the GSR couldn't be combative at "tactial ranges" and beyond with it.

My thought is that this rifle is a good option for those who wants a portable, versatile rifle in a versatile cartridge, who typically hunts on foot and needs rifle caliber performance. It covers a lot of bases.

Respectfully Mannyrock, I've read your past posts on this rifle and it appears your mind was made up prior to your handling it at the gun show or seeing "two rifle experts" on TV. I am simply offering another perspective as someone who has owned the rifle for ten months, having fired nearly 1,000 rounds through it with a wide variety of loads - both cast and jacketed - and I've taken it afield. I'm not saying you're assertions are wrong, just different than mine and I'm saying yours would carry more weight if your evaluations were based on actual experience and not something you read,heard or learned handling one at the gunshow.

I am also unclear as to what the Scout label has to do with anything

or what exactly I need to admit to... Isn't it just a moniker? There are a lot of "Scouts" out there, including handguns. I didn't buy this gun because it was conceptualized by Saint Jeff, there a several other choices that better adhere to his gospels. I think the Colonel was right about a lot of things and he had major influence on everything from safety to tactics. I don't think he ever had much of a commercial success with the Scout concept and that was especially true of his actual Styer Scout Rifle.

Like I said, this rifle ISN'T for everyone. Neither are AR's, muzzleloaders or leverguns. It's not perfect. It does appeal to me, but I like old guns in oddball calibers too... So my recommendation to potential buyers of the Ruger GSR is after reading the MANY reviews out there, try one on - if you can find one. See if it works for you and buy it if it does.

If you don't like it there is plenty of room on the internet to tell us why

Dinny · « **Reply #23 on:** December 30, 2011, 08:24:02 AM »

This is a tough crowd... $:-\$ I just handled one last night at a local Big 5 Store. I really like it! So much that I'm considering getting it before I deploy in the Spring (and...if I make the promotion list this year

). I fully understand that it is not intended to be an overly accurate rifle, but perhaps with a little work (trigger, bedding, lapping lugs and squaring bolt face) it can stay under 1 moa all day with choice loads. Given it's light weight and fast pointing, I could see me using it for hog, deer or coyote hunting. The forward rail makes mounting NV optics that much easier too. BTW, before all the pundits weigh-in, I don't care for ARs all that much. I use them when they're issued, but not in my off-duty time. To me, the AR is this rifle's only competition.

Just my 2 cents worth!

Thanks, Dinny

qwikrick · « **Reply #24 on:** January 24, 2012, 04:36:13 PM »

Quote from: R.W.Dale on October 28, 2011, 02:27:20 PM

I just got the Facebook update from ruger that they now have polymer mags avalible (looks like tikka mags) in 10-5 and 3 round flavors for $38 Msrp

Now I really want one.

BTW if $38 is still too much for a magazine for you in the 21'st century you're just a tight......

I ordered a few of the polymer mags from midway ( 1 5 rnd & 2 10 rnd ) I like them much better then the stock steel mag, the polymers don't wiggle & the 10 rounder is shorter then the steel mag.

my only complaint is getting the last 2 rounds into the 10 rounder is a real bitch.
other then that the mags work great.

PS ( midway has them for $29.95

)