Florida Shooters Network

I found it in the AR magazine and I really liked it. This looks like a great little rifle. Not for everyone,but it would fill a niche.

I would like to get my hands on one to try. I have a certain affinity for bolt guns.

http://ruger.com/products/gunsiteScoutRifle/models.html

I LOVE it, especially if that were an M14 mag

NonConformist wrote:I LOVE it, especially if that were an M14 mag

I will have to hunt up the article,but I think they wanted too,but it turned out a no go. There was even mention of using AICS mags,which I would have liked.Looking at the website though,it appears to be a Ruger proprietary 5/10 round mag.

I figured theyd use a proprietary mag, more money for them. Regardless I like the rifle

Ruger contraced with Accurate Mag to produce an AICS pattern mag for their scout rifle. ( http://www.accurate-mag.com/ ) It is by all accounts a pretty good copy of the AI mags, and will fit any rifle with AICS type bottom metal. Some guys have used Alpha Industries magazines with success in the scout rifle and AICS chassis systems ( http://www.alphaindmfg.com/products.html ) it is a double column single position feed design, and is a little shorter while holding the same amount of rounds. Here is where I get all my AI mags and accessories from ( http://milehighshooting.com )So there are plenty of magazine options out there if you are looking at the scout.

Got to handle one of these at the NRA convention. Was an outstanding rifle, IMO. Light-weight (but not TOO light), shouldered naturally. The iron sights are there for more than just show, as they are fully-adjustable.

The magazine is my only sticking point. Had this been manufactured to use the M14/M1A magazines, I would have ordered one on the spot. However, they didn't. They explained why, though, and it seems logical enough.

The problem they encountered when building this rifle (it was originally designed to use the M14 magazine) was that the tolerances between various 'contract' magazine makers. Seems '.mil spec' doesn't mean as much as it used to, and Ruger would have had to make the magazine well 'one size fits most', which would mean that most magazines would work 'okay', but some others wouldn't work at all. It would have been a nightmare for them, with people complaining that their old magazines wouldn't work...

They partnered with the above-mentioned company to provide a steel magazine, designed to withstand the harshest of environments. Unfortunately, as this rifle is brand new, and these mags are essentially a limited-run, the mags are expensive. (~$70/ea)

Further 'off the record' talks with a Ruger exec. who shall remain nameless, indicated that Ruger is working on producing their own magazines in-house, testing both polymer & steel. 5 round magazines for hunting should be available soon, though he would not comment on whether capacities larger than 10 would be available.

In short, I was very pleased with the handling characteristics of this rifle, appreciated the inclusion of functional iron sights, and will seriously considering the purchase of one, if and when Ruger gets an alternative magazine lined up.

I love Enfields but I think that will be my next rifle. Semi auto .308s are very expensive and I have no issue w/ bolt guns so it seems like a winner

Being an Enfield lover myself, my only 'complaint' with this rifle is that it cocks on open, which (for me) tends to slow down the ability to get a second round chambered and ready to shoot.

Not a huge negative, as 99.9% of rifles are designed this way, so it would have been highly unusual for Ruger to go with the cock-on-close system that the Enfield rifles employ.

Rifles are full of compromises. This one is no different, though it's list of negatives is FAR shorter than its list of positives.

it seems like a perfect bolt gun, if it only took m14 mags LOL, stil WANT!

I have a M77 compact in .308 that is very similar to this in size, just no detachable mag, iron sights or muzzle break. I love it. Great woods gun. Pretty accurate for such a short barrel.