Ruger Gunsite Scout Rifle

[Lenny_D]

I would like any members who have owned or shot this rifle to comment on the accuracy. I've heard conflicting reports. It would seem to be a very handy rifle but the things I've read on line have not been impressive as far as the accuracy. I would like anyone who has worked with developing loads for this rifle to comment as to how accurate you have been able to make it. I would mount a scope over the receiver and take off the rail. It seems most reports have involved using a scope mounted forward which would not be as accurate in my opinion. Also does the gun come with the Ruger rings along with its mounted ghost ring sights?
Thanks in advance,
Len

 

[Vulcan Bob]

Mines not a tack driver in its current configuration with a Burris 2.75X Scout scope with heavy cross hairs mounted forward but it is fast. It shoots about 1 1/2" groups at a hundred yards with Australian surplus ball, three shots under an inch with two fliers consistently with each five round group. So far my reloads cannot do any better but I shoot off the top of my range bag and with only 2.75X and heavy cross hairs it very well be me responsible for this. Yes they do come with the Ruger rings. You detach the rear sight to use the rear mount.

 

[Lenny_D]

Bob,
Thanks for the reply. I'm thinking that mounting a variable scope of about 2X7 power would increase the accuracy. To be honest though a 3 shot group of an inch is pretty darn good for this little rifle. I would also consider bedding the rifle but Ruger makes that harder to do with the way the barreled action is held by the angled screw.

Len

 

[long colt frazier]

Len I love mine but it isn't a bench rest rifle. That said it is a joy to shoot and out to 100 yards will do the job. I mounted the scope forward and it is very quick to point.
Mark

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Mines not a tack driver in its current configuration with a Burris 3X Scout scope with heavy cross hairs mounted forward but it is fast. It shoots about 1 1/2" groups at a hundred yards with Australian surplus ball, three shots under an inch with two fliers consistently with each five round group. So far my reloads cannot do any better but I shoot off the top of my range bag and with only 3X and heavy cross hairs it very well be me responsible for this. Yes they do come with the Ruger rings. You detach the rear sight to use the rear mount.

What more could you want-it's not supposed to be a target rifle. Sounds pretty darn good to me. If they made one in .223 and stainless, I would be on it like a waffle on cornbread.

 

[shouldazagged]

If they made one in .223 and stainless, I would be on it like a waffle on cornbread.

A waffle on cornbread? Is that a Cajun thing, or a lawyer thing?

Sorry, thread drift. But I was momentarily dazzled.

 

[Rule3]

I'll let you know in a week or so as I have a LNIB in jail right now!

I plan I putting my Burris handguns scope on it but like the open peeper sights just fine.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/lounge/325622-anyone-have-scout-rifle-scoped.html

 

[Joe Kent]

Gentlemen, I have had great luck with mine. As said above a usual 1 1/2 to two inch grouping with most of the ammo I have trried to include military ball of variou types. Keep in mind, Leupold will build you an adjustable extended eye relief "Scout" scope if you want. I first had a 1 1/2 to 5 built and most recently a 30mm tube 1 1/2 to 5 firedot scope. It is a bulkier scope but gives you the advantage of a red dot as well as an adjustable power scope. Low power re dot for fast action and up to 5 power for more exact longer range. Probably one of the better dollar for dollar Scouts on the market and a welcome addition to a battery. Remember to use it for what it was designed for and realize that it is not a 1200 yard precision rifle.

 

[gm272gs]

I think I want to make cornbread waffles, now.

 

[scooter123]

I reload for mine and that had a DISTINCT effect on the accuracy. With the American Eagle 150 grain FMJ it was good for 3/4 to 1.25 inch at 50 yards with a cold barrel. With a hand load featuring a 155 grain Lapua Scenar match bullet over 45.0 grains of 4064 I can routinely produce 3 and 4 shot cloverleafs that can be totally covered by a dime at 50 yards when I'm shooting well. Since a dime measures at about .70 inch and the tearout of the 30 caliber bullet is about .30-.35 inch this would indicate a 50 yard group in the .35 to .40 inch range.

Now, please note that this was done with a COLD barrel. Because as I've discovered the forward mounting rail will put some tension on the top of the barrel as it expands due to heating. One day I shot a full 20 rounds at 50 yards and the resulting group was a vertical line about 1.50 inch long. This was due to the rifle stringing vertically due to the tension on the barrel exerted by the forward mount.

If you want the best accuracy over an extended session IMO you will have to remove the forward rail. BTW, the Gunsite DOES come with 1 inch diameter receiver mounts but you'll have to remove the rear ghost ring sight to use the rear mounting ring.

I also would strongly recommend that you plan on hand loading for the rifle. That American Eagle I mentioned isn't the most accurate ammo out there and true Match grade 308 can cost nearly 3 or 4 bucks a round if you aren't making your own. BTW, Winchester's 180 grain Power Points shot very well for me with groups sizes ranging between 5/8 and 3/4 inch on a cold barrel.

 

[NorthCountry]

I have this rifle, and my groups have been similar to what Joe Kent posted. I have shot ball ammo and hunting soft points through it. I used the Ruger supplied rings for a scope when I first got it, mounting a Burris Fullfield scope above the receiver. I recently bought a XS Sight Systems picatinny rail for it to mount a Leatherwood EER scope, but still have the option of a more rearward mount if I choose to. The scope forward configuration is what this rifle was designed for, and I will set it up to do what it was designed to do-be a scout rifle. Ruger and the Gunsite staff, designed it to be just that. I have other rifles I can use for game hunting. The GSR is not as accurate as my Tikka's, but it is still a great rifle.

 

[armenius]

If you are going to mount over the receiver and you want a light,short,accurate handy rifle try a Remington Model Seven.I bought one Agee years ago and a box of Hornady 150 gr.SPBT and the first 3 rounds went into a 3/4 inch group,and it still does.My 270 BAR,270 Rem. 700, and Ruger77 are now idle in my safe.I use a Leupold Vari-X IIc 3-7x33 set on 3 power. it's as fast as any scope I've ever used.It is short and fast and left or right hand shots from a tree stand are easy.I will never get rid of it.

 

[Rule3]

If you want the best accuracy over an extended session IMO you will have to remove the forward rail. BTW, the Gunsite DOES come with 1 inch diameter receiver mounts but you'll have to remove the rear ghost ring sight to use the rear mounting ring.

Scooter,

A fellow LGS groupie did that. He remover the scout rail, got filler screws and mounted a standard scope.

I will have to see how it goes first as that kind of defeats the design,

I have to check in with you when I get mine as to loads. I Was going just use my tack driving loads from my 700 heavy barrel SPS Tact AAC but I know the Ruger will not match it.
Twist is the same

 

[Lenny_D]

Thanks for all your responses. I do realize this gun was designed for use with the scope forward on the rail but now after realizing it does come with regular rings I'm going to have to give it a try. I took the Ruger Armorers Course so I get quite a discount on any Ruger I want. It's such a discount that If I don't like it I more than likely will be able to break even if I sell it and maybe even make a few bucks.
The whole appeal to me is that it has detachable mags that can hold up to 10 rounds, I promised Governor Cuomo I would only load 7 though. If I can get 3 shots in an inch at 100 yards I'm more than happy.
Scooter I have had great results with the same load you use of 45 gr of 4064 with a 150 gr. spritzer. In my experience the sweet spot for the 150 gr spritzer in the 308 and 30-06 is a load that pushes those bullets around 2750 fps. It kills whitetails dead and is very accurate in every 06 or 308 I've owned.
Thanks again to all,
Len

 

[Rule3]

I picked up my Ruger Scout.

Question for those that scoped the gun. What rings did you get?

Will Weaver style fit this rail?? I have seen rings labeled as Picatinny rings, what's the diff??
Also what height? Low rings seem to low. I was thinking mediums??

 

[Ethang]

If the first shot hits your intended target, and the second shot if you need it, hits the intended target, is your rifle accurate enough? Its supposed to be a hunting/self defense mid range rifle.

I chased a 1 inch group out of my Encore ML years ago just because I thought I needed to. I spent a TON on different powder, bullets, primers, even put another scope on it. In the end my almost 2 inch groups are all I ever needed to kill every deer I ever shot at with it.

The question is, will it put a effective hit on the target your shooting at the range your shooting at it?

 

[Rule3]

No, the question is what rings?

I shot 20 rounds with the peepers at 50 yards. Grouped them about 3". My handloads, first time shooting.

Guess I will ask on the RUGER forum

 

[Ethang]

No, the question is what rings?

I shot 20 rounds with the peepers at 50 yards. Grouped them about 3". My handloads, first time shooting.

Guess I will ask on the RUGER forum

Your question was about rings, OP's was about how accurate the rifle was. Sorry I missed your question and don't have a Scout to answer it.

 

[oldRoger]

To change the subject slightly;
I looked at the Ruger and then shot a friend’s Savage Scout. I bought a Savage.

First, I liked the longer barrel for the sake of velocity.
Second: I like the trigger.

So far I have it under 1” at 100yards with the Leupold 2.5X. I am able to use both the scope and irons with see through mounts.
I bought a 10round magazine, and soon will start looking for feral pigs.