I recall a while back that their was alot of confusion as to what qualified as the proverbial "scout" rifle. People were going public with many variations. I also believe it was about the time that the Styer Scout first came on the scene. I can't recall exactly where or when, but I will try to research and repost an article that I read that listed the general features that made a "Scout" a SCOUT.
These features were supposedly coming from the mouth of Cooper himself. One was that it preferably be a short action with a cartridge not less powerfull than the .308 Win.
The loaded weight of the complete rifle was not to be more than 7.25 Lbs. ...or was it 6.75Lbs. I'm not certain but LIGHT was highly desirable.
Another requirement was that the rifle itself had to be mechanically accurate enough in the hands of an at least slightly above average shooter to consistently hit (JUST HIT) a man size target out to 500 (or was it 400) yards.
Remember, in combat, a wounded fighter removes three people from the fight not just one as in the case of a kill.
It is still vague in my memory.
The stripper clip loading guide was also a big feature and I recall some mention of modifications being made so that hi cap mags of the M1A or FAL type could be used.
I also recall the mention of the use of a tac sling which I believe is also the same thing as a "ching" or safari sling. (these things are the greatest on light weight ARs and pistol grip shot guns).
Anyway, what I read at that time gave me the impression that while this was being called the "one gun solution", handy dandy, do it all utility rifle, it's application was primarily a military one for exactly that ...a "SCOUT".
Let's not forget that Cooper was one of "The Proud and the Few". Those who "know" will tell you that the scout's primary job (not the sniper scout) is the gathering of what is refered to as human intelligence or HUMINTEL, something that is more valuable and reliable than any high altitude photo or SATIM (satilite image).
He is required to get in close, observe, and get out completely undetected without engaging the enemy. This is a guy who must travel very light and fast. You do not want to be humping even just a 60 pound pack when you've got a couple dozen or so
a@#holes with guns chasing after you.
When you are ON THE RUN, every 30 round Mag dropped is weight shed and feels like a boost in speed. This works well with a small UNIT doing a Dutch Peel untill your extract bird touches down but for the lone scout it is a much different story. Often that extract isn't coming. Which means every shot has to count for something even if all it does is take off tangos big toe at 400 yards.
Why carry 360 rounds in mags when most of them will never hit their mark comming from an M16. The light weight, accurate scout rifle allows you to take cover in thick brush without geting snagged, to run at almost a full dash while ducking down then popping up out of nowhere for a quick shot, but always staying on the move untill nightfall or untill a river or large body of water can be found, knowing that help is not always on the way. The less frequent requirement of maintenance doesn't hurt either when your on the move.
It is a concept that most conventional personell may never fully have to apply. This guy may have to be on the move for hours, even days. Cooper envisioned it because he understood this scenario. That is why the light weight, the stripper clip guide, the ching sling etc.
Keep in mind also that Cooper was of a much different era where the US military wasn't fighting in vast open deserts, and didn't have kind of logistical capability that it has today.
How many of you guys out there know the difference of running DISTANCE (not jogging or dbl timing) while slingin a shorty as opposed to a 60 or even a 249. Your typical Recon Marine or Navy SeAL in training will run miles to the moon and back over any conventional personell and there is a reason for it.
The scout as Cooper saw it would give military personnel the handiness and targeting speed of a pistol with almost the same "reach out and touch someone" of the sniper rifle in the right hands.
I think the "scout" concept lost something when it started going commercial. For hunters and outdoorsmen I can see where it just doesnt quite find a niche. At 7.75 pounds, a single stack mag and no stripper guide, Ruger's rifle doesn't quite fall into what I remember being described. But then it still a little fuzzy to me also.
