Steyr scout rifle

[Whitefront]

I have one in 7mm-08. Over the years it has become my go-to rifle. The best handling and most accurate rifle I have ever owned. It came from the factory with a sub-MOA accuracy guarantee, and I can get 0.6 using Fox Classic Hunter non-tox. The integral bipod is fine, but I prefer to use a Spartan. The extra magazine in the butt is brilliant, not least because you can carry 10 rounds on the rifle itself, fully protected, and swap mags in seconds if you get into a hot spot on the hinds. As for scopes, I cannot see the point in clagging a huge, cumbersome and heavy optic onto a lightweight rifle. I have a Kahles with 44 mm object lens on mine. (Incidentally, with a slightly smaller objective and the right mounts you also have the option of the flip-up ring sight).

 

[bat69]

Have one in 223 , great trigger , great accurracy with home loads and factory ammo , found the bipod noisy when clicking it open and also a bit too high for me , used for roe and lamping foxes

 

[ben powell]

Have one in 223 , great trigger , great accurracy with home loads and factory ammo , found the bipod noisy when clicking it open and also a bit too high for me , used for roe and lamping foxes

Would you say it would work ok with somthing like an atn thermal on top or would it need a cheek riser?

 

[Heym SR20]

I have one in 7mm-08. Over the years it has become my go-to rifle. The best handling and most accurate rifle I have ever owned. It came from the factory with a sub-MOA accuracy guarantee, and I can get 0.6 using Fox Classic Hunter non-tox. The integral bipod is fine, but I prefer to use a Spartan. The extra magazine in the butt is brilliant, not least because you can carry 10 rounds on the rifle itself, fully protected, and swap mags in seconds if you get into a hot spot on the hinds. As for scopes, I cannot see the point in clagging a huge, cumbersome and heavy optic onto a lightweight rifle. I have a Kahles with 44 mm object lens on mine. (Incidentally, with a slightly smaller objective and the right mounts you also have the option of the flip-up ring sight).

The whole point of the scout rifle is a light portable do anything type rifle. Any optic should be a light and compact, either forward mounted or in the normal position. Straight tubed 1-4 or 1-6 x20, 3-9 or 2-8 x36 or 42 are more than enough for most purposes.

 

[spanj]

The whole point of the scout rifle is a light portable do anything type rifle. Any optic should be a light and compact, either forward mounted or in the normal position. Straight tubed 1-4 or 1-6 x20, 3-9 or 2-8 x36 or 42 are more than enough for most purposes.

I have a 4-16x44 Arken on my .308, rate both

 

[Heym SR20]

The scout rifle concept was developed by Col Geoff Cooper in the 1960’s and 70’s. It was a rifle for a “Scout” in the old meaning of the word. Either somebody out in the wilderness looking for routes of trails, powerlines or seams of gold, or in time of conflict a small team well out ahead of the again, looking for routes, enemy positions etc.

The whole concept is for a lightweight rifle that is carried lots and shot little, but that carries sufficient authority to deal with most situations. He suggested a bolt action, reasonably short barrel and a wide field of view scope with good iron sights as well. Calibre - 308 / 7.62 NATO as there is really not much this cannot deal with even with standard military ball type ammo. Needs to be accurate enough to be able to shoot for the pot, but more thinking of antelope / deer or a sheep than say birds or rabbits. It’s not expected to be a tactical military type weapon in the conventional sense. A military scouts job is to be undiscovered and to report back. But if needs be you could make pursuing soldiers think again, or disable a soft skinned vehicle / helicopter or aircraft etc. and give yourself the opportunity to get away.

An estate I stalked on a lot in the late 1990’s had one of the first Steyr Scouts. I shot it a few times. I liked the concept, but it was a bit short for me so I tended to use either the estates Sako TRGS or left handed Mannlicher Model M.

At the time there were photos of the Steyr Scouts being used by some of the militias in the Balkans conflicts.

More details

Scout rifle - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

 

[Mr. Gain]

Friend of mine used one in .308. He could certainly shoot with it, but complained tbe recoil was a bit fruity. I guess the aesthetics are a bit ‘marmite’ but I liked it on the whole.

The shape of the hand seems designed for snap shooting and doesn't give a lot of recoil control. Things get worse if you have a full-sized optic mounted, as you'll tend to drop the butt in your shoulder. Get the adjustable butt pad and comb and the recoil vector is much improved, making a .308 Scout much sweeter-shooting.

 

[Koenig]

The shape of the hand seems designed for snap shooting and doesn't give a lot of recoil control. Things get worse if you have a full-sized optic mounted, as you'll tend to drop the butt in your shoulder. Get the adjustable butt pad and comb and the recoil vector is much improved, making a .308 Scout much sweeter-shooting.

He sold about 18 months ago, but point taken. Sound advice. I do remember scoffing at him at the time……308W recoil - I couldn’t understand what he was moaning about.

 

[8x57]

The scout rifle concept was developed by Col Geoff Cooper in the 1960’s and 70’s. It was a rifle for a “Scout” in the old meaning of the word. Either somebody out in the wilderness looking for routes of trails, powerlines or seams of gold, or in time of conflict a small team well out ahead of the again, looking for routes, enemy positions etc.

I've read several reports that Jeff Cooper was also influenced by the Number 5 (jungle carbine). I don't know if this was true or simply a figment of the authors imagination.

 

[Heym SR20]

I've read several reports that Jeff Cooper was also influenced by the Number 5 (jungle carbine). I don't know if this was true or simply a figment of the authors imagination.

I think you are probably correct. I had some Guns and Ammo magazines from the late 1960’s and he wrote at length in those.

 

[alberta boy]

I think you are probably correct. I had some Guns and Ammo magazines from the late 1960’s and he wrote at length in those.

I'm pretty sure I have a few of those magazines , I hate throwing them out . Elmer mentioned the No 5 and the Mannlicher- Shoenauer carbines as major influences in his Scout rifle concept a number of times . He really liked the detachable magazine on the No 5 .

AB

 

[TITANIUM]

Have one in 223 for sale. Great rifle, sub 200 round. Selling off my kit. Time of life

 

[Dougal McGuire]

I have a Steyr Scout in 8x56R: