NEF Scout Rifle?

[Big Blue]

There are a few companies that make or have made scout rifles. Steyr Scout at $2700 weighs 7 lbs. with a 19" barrel, and a OAL of 39.75". The  Springfield M1A-A1 at $1100 weighing 9lbs. with an 18" barrel, and a OAL: of 40.5". I think I can do better with a NEF rifle. Scout rifles are basically just lightweight, easy to carry rifles. I have been thinking about this since Haywood put a forward mounted scope on his Handi. My idea is to buy a Synthetic Handi in 30/06. Cut the barrel down to 18" and recrown it. Have a dovetail cut in the barrel, so it will accept the XS, or AO scout mount. It will lose a few FPS from it's original 22" length, but I'd still have a rifle capable of shooting 200 gr. bullets at 2400 FPS. That's 400 FPS faster than the .35 Rem. will do with the same weight bullet. It should make a great brush gun. On the other hand, using 150 gr. bullets, I could get 2900 FPS, slightly faster than the .308, which should make this a good mid-long range rifle. An over all length of 35.5", a weight of about 7.25 lbs. including a scope. When it's all said and done, one heck of a unique rifle.
Don

[Winter Hawk]

Why cut down the barrel?  Being a single shot you don't have the extra length of the receiver so it should be about the same length with the standard barrel.  That is what I did with my .30-06, I had a Burris base set up for a pistol scope forward on the barrel.  Just drill and tap for the base and away you go.  I imagine you could find a weaver mount of the proper height and radius so you could go that route also.  It is a fine brush gun without having the barrel shortened.

But then again, I use my flintlock with a 32" barrel in the brush without too much difficulty either, so it may just be me...  :grin:

-WH-

[Smokin Joe]

First, you're not going to get 2400' from a 200 gn in an 18" bbl; nor are you going to get 2900' with a 150. The muzzle blast ought to be impressive!

[Big Blue]

First, you're not going to get 2400' from a 200 gn in an 18" bbl; nor are you going to get 2900' with a 150. The muzzle blast ought to be impressive!

  While I appreciate your opinion, my loading manuals show otherwise. In most cases, a loss of 20 FPS per inch of barrel is the accepted norm. While I'm allowing for 25 FPS per inch loss, It would only drop 100 FPS under the normal load velocity. Even if I lost double that amount of velocity, I'd still be well within the accepted retained energy limits for deer. Having shot Encore pistols using .308 and a mere 16" barrel, muzzle blast was more noticeable, but not beyond reason. With people shooting 45/70's out of revolvers, I can't see that the 30/06 out of a 18" barreled rifle would be a problem.
Don

[handirifle]

While you may gain in flickability of the rifle, you WILL also gain a lot in recoil.

I'm guessing an unscoped '06 Handi should weigh around 6lbs and maybe 7 with a scope.  You might get it back to 6 with the short barrel.

I assume you're familiar with the '06 and it's recoil.  While it is not a magnum, I can tell you it will kick.

My Savage '06 weighs a little over 8 with the scope and with heavy poads and 180gr bullets, it will get your attention.  I do not consider it in the magnum class at all, but remove 2lbs from the rifle and pulling the trigger will cause a brief and sharp reminder that you have a light rifle.

I'm thinking of an '06 barrel for my Ultra but not sure I want to lighten the rifle up too much.

Hope you like recoil.  To me, the difference in weight would not justify it, but hey, it's not my gun or my shoulder. :-)

[Paul5388]

Don,

Look at the weights I posted on handloads.  I don't think you'll ever see less than 7 lbs with that configuration.