The Scout Rifle Has Run It’s Course

[USMA84DAB]

Some rifle intellectual effort for your enjoyment
I wrote this for my website and Clients. Hope you enjoy my analysis.

 

[crs]

Without reading your article, I can tell you that some are still on the course and running strong.

 

[Alaska Luke]

Good points. I tried a scout scope once and didn't care for it. A conventional low power variable is better.

I do think a bolt action rifle with a detachable mag is nice if you live in an unfree state and can't get an AR. Maybe not ideal for room clearing but better then you might think.

 

[BC.Pat]

I have a steyr scout I still hunt with, but will admit I wish there was a better selection of scout scopes available. But I understand its a pretty small market for optic manufactures to chase.

regards
Pat

 

[USMA84DAB]

CRS -

Never said they weren't worth having. Still have mine. Probably will not bother with building any more.

 

[BC.Pat]

Probably will not bother with building any more.

I suspect your right, supply and demand etc.

 

[mark-hunter]

Checked your web site. Good job!

 

[USMA84DAB]

Thank you for the feedback.

 

[Jack Stevens]

Interesting write-up, but I found the concept of an 'autoloading' Scout worth pursuing on my builds using the M1 Garand as the platform. (Obligatory pics below. )

The problem, or challenge, will always be meeting Cooper's requirement of 'making weight.' An M1 as the platform makes that difficult.

Still, there are trade-off benefits with a semi-auto Scout Rifle (or more accurately perhaps, a Scout carbine), as author Brian Sheetz notes in this article:

The Self-Loading Scout Rifle: Worth Its Weight

American Rifleman's Brian Sheetz convened at **NOT**PERMITTED** Academy to explore the latest developments in Scout rifles.

www.americanrifleman.org

M1 'Tanker' Scout:

 

[USMA84DAB]

Very nice Jack - I really like those laminate stocks. How did you fare on the weight by building it as a tanker?

Put this together for a Client. He wanted to be able to restore it to original, so no chopping allowed.

 

[Zambezi]

Nice analysis. I think the Colonel was envisioning an AR-10 when he was describing the Scout but just didn't know it because the tech was not there at the time. You're updated parameters are spot.

Who knows where future development will take us in the next 20-30 years...

 

[USMA84DAB]

Had not seen that article - made for interesting reading/comparison vs. the Mann work that I read x3 now.

 

[Jack Stevens]

Very nice Jack - I really like those laminate stocks. How did you fare on the weight by building it as a tanker?

Put this together for a Client. He wanted to be able to restore it to original, so no chopping allowed.

Very nice.

My 18.5" Tanker-Scout, unloaded but otherwise set up as shown, hits 11lbs. Shuff's Parkerizing did the build. Despite the weight, it actually balance and carries well in the field using a 2-pt Magpul MS1 sling for 'patrol carry.' Quicker to shoulder and shoot that way.

Everything is restorable, as I kept the original GI barrel, op rod, and stock set. A Criterion .30-06 'Tanker' (M1 profile barrel) was used, and I had a spare op rod to donate for the project. It's intended role is as a 'hunting' Scout, but it can easily be returned to 'full-size' GI trim.

I also have a 16.1" 'Mini-G' hunting carbine, also built by Schuff's. That one is set up similarly, and weighs in at 10.8lbs, unloaded but with a T-37FH and an Olongapo stock pak.

A 'standard' Mini-G in .308, with no Ultimak forward rail or optic, runs about 8.9lbs with a stock pak, as below:

Not having a laminated stock set saves a bit of weight as well, laminated wood being heavier than a walnut stock.

 

[Jack Stevens]

Not mine, but a similar Scout build by Robar (now defunct) on a 'full-size' M1 rifle, including their NP3 metal treatment and a 3-pc laminated stock set.

My guess is that it's at least 12lbs with the laminated stock set and 2-pt sling. (See 2nd pic).

 

[USMA84DAB]

When the rifle is well balanced, even at 10 lbs., you can use it effectively. It wears you out walking a patrol with it/still hunting - by the end fo the day at Thunder Ranch, you have had a workout.

I took a course or two at TR with a full size M1A - buddy used his Garand. Now with old guy eyes, the optic would be pretty important to have on there.

This combo (pics the Robar build) looks mighty nice.

 

[Jack Stevens]

When the rifle is well balanced, even at 10 lbs., you can use it effectively. It wears you out walking a patrol with it/still hunting - by the end fo the day at Thunder Ranch, you have had a workout.

I took a course or two at TR with a full size M1A - buddy used his Garand. Now with old guy eyes, the optic would be pretty important to have on there.

This combo (pics the Robar build) looks mighty nice.

For the short-range hunting I do, that's why I went with the 16.1" Mini-G carbine build. The Tanker was more of an experiment on the 18.5" platform.

Both are very accurate, but I'm not shooting them over 200yds anyway, and more likely inside 125yds. Nor shooting them in Service Rifle matches. They're purely 'hunters' for use in the thick bramble bush and heavily timbered areas.

If I lived in Alaska, I'd have Shuff's re-barrel the Mini-G to .35 Whelen. On these builds he does an additional internal receiver mod and installs his version of a Holbrook device which ensures the reliable feeding of big, heavy .35-cal bullets (250gns) using either 5- or 8-rd M1 en bloc clips.

 

[Vanguard2279]

Great article. Thank you for sharing. I was with 43rd ENGR Co. 2/3 ACR during your last year of service.

 

[USMA84DAB]

Jack - Now that would be some rifle goodness - a gas-operated .35 Whelen! Hmmmm.....

Vanguard - did your Sqn make the trip to NTC in 89 also? Wow! That was some fun! I ran the ALOC as OIC 24/7 for my Sqn.

 

[Vanguard2279]

Ah, NTC,.... Yes, i was there. Considering that we were loading for the Sandbox about a year later, it was good training.

 

[Tanks]

Nice article with a good sense of humor.