Ruger Gunsite Scout

I can't believe there has not been a thread here on the Gunsite Scout. I am a currently deployed Soldier and so I have not seen one yet, but this rifle has really grabbed my interest like no other. I intend to look in to purchasing one as soon as I get back to the world.

For those of you lucky enough to own one already, what are your impressions of it? How does it handle, feed, fire, etc? I have read three articles on it in several of the gun rags we have laying around here. I think this would be an excellent woods gun up in Northern Michigan where I like to hunt and camp. I am a fan of the scout concept, and already own an M1A Scout, its not about filling a need, this is a want. I realize there are some who don't get the scout concept, and some who don't like it. I am already a fan, so please save venting your spleen if you don't like scouts, thanks!

Here 13 pages on the GSR:
http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_2/332416_Ruger_Gunsite_Scout_Rifle___gunwriters__review.html

Here a 5 part detail review of the rifle:
http://www.gunsumerreports.com/review_ruger_m77-gs_p1.php

Not a very active forum, but good info:
http://www.scoutrifle.org

I have one & love it. I posted my review some where in the 13 page thread. Basically, it a short, relatively lgt wgt with good accuracy (but not a tack driver) & appears to be built extremely durable (time tell). I'm getting 1.5 MOA with Hornady 155gr TAP. My best group was 1.25 MOA with Fed 168gr SMK. Cheap practice ammo around 2-2.5 MOA. Trigger pull is just under 4 lbs. The bolt was a little stiff at first, but has broken in nicely. Felt recoil was surprisingly light (very soft rubber recoil pad).

I may move topics into this forum that belong here. Stand by.

I did some looking around, there are quite a few GSR threads out there.

The ones that don't like them are the ones that don't own one and pick apart stupid shit like "I don't like the flash hider" or some gay shit like that. I have one and I love it. I have a Sandstorm on order for it, as that will make a nice, light package for hiking the hills or taking out a deer, coyote or whatever the hell gets in the sights. The day after I got it, it went to a MG shoot with me and everyone that shot it liked it. Lots of compliments on how it feels and balances in addition to how accurate it is. It's a very good rifle for the money and nothing needs changed on it...especially the caliber. If you get one, you won't regret it. They ship with only a single 10 rounder. You get a single use 20% discount from Ruger, when you register it with them, and two months to use it. I picked up a 5 rounder for deer murdering for about $65 shipped. The only thing I'm after now is a good sling for it...plus plenty of time and ammo to put it to good use.

I made my own pseudo-Scout from a 7.62 NATO, arsenal re-barreled, Steyr-made, Chilean Modelo 1912 Mauser ($50), using a then Ashley-Outdoors Scout Mount, Burris Scout scope, and Ram-Line Mauser stock. Plus Lyman iron sights, timney trigger, and a few other tweaks.

Remember, that this was more than a decade ago, so this was something of a plunge into the unknown, trusting on other folks' writings and opinions.

Since then, I have become a BIG fan of the Scout rifle concept. Not to say it is for everyone, but I agree that most nay-sayers have never given a properly done-up Scout rifle a fair shake.

How to spot a badly done-up Scout rifle is pretty easy: the optics are almost always too high. If the occular bell of your optic is missing the receiver/barrel by no more than 1/16 inch, then it might be a properly done-up Scout. If not, you can see this major screw-up at a glance.

I'm getting one. The mags are spendy, but i figure three or four are enough. Can't wait.

The Gunsite Scout is one of the few - heck maybe the only - new rifle that has captured my attention in a while. As I have posted elsewhere, I am not entirely sure what it is, but I just like it. To be honest I have never really cared whether or not it meets someone's definition of a "Scout Rifle". I have no practical use for it, but then most of my guns fall into that same category. It just looks like it would be fun to own and shoot. That's good enough for me.

The only real issue I have with it is the expense of the magazines, but I'll just deal with that until the situation changes (if ever). I hope to get one early next year after saving up some money, if I don't find a way to trade something for one first.

You won't regret it. I got my 5 rounder last week for a total of two mags. I figure it's a bolt action and I really won't need too many mags initially. If Ruger makes the plastic replacements, I may get one or two of them. I still wish they would have used an M14 mag and integrated a stripper clip guide into the receiver...the rifle would have been perfect then.

I GOT MY RUGER GUNSITE SCOUT!!!!!

Now I need a 5 round mag and a sling and it will be time to kill Bambi!!!!

I also heard today that Michigan will soon be making suppressors legal!!! Oh happy day!

And now, Ruger has polymer mags in 3, 5, and 10 rounds for $40 per mag, no matter the capacity.

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Congrats on your new scout rifle Jack! My GSR arrived last week and I too can't wait to use it on whitetail.

I can't wait to pick one up soon :)

I like it; Holding out for the stainless steel version which I hope will be offered.

There is a Cabelas exclusive out for the past month or so. Walnut stock and stainless barreled action, the rail, sights, and flash hider are all black. $899 is Cabelas price on these.

There are also some of the GSR "export" models floating around here in the US. These are stainless as well, but do not have threaded muzzles.

-Randy

Love the gun but not sure if I can live with the lack of accuracy.... Kinda on the fence with it.

Care to explain that?

I have heard mostly ~1-2 MOA out of this gun, and I know mine was solid. Has your experience been different?

I would like to hear more as well. For an offhand rifle with a low power scope, I think the accuracy is more than acceptable. We are not talking about a sniper or benchrest rifle, here.

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Mine has been reported on in several forums, as I had one of the first in these parts. So it is one of the first production guns. The medium contour barrel is extremely accurate, and Ruger company shooters have hit the gong at 1000 yds with it (Obviously depends on the size of the gong) Mine has shot consistent groups with the largest measuring 1 inch when using Federal Gold Match ammunition and at a distance of 100 yards. My gun dealer wanted to shoot it, and he did a .70" at 100 yards using the same ammunition. If you need more accuracy, you will probably be hand-loading anyway, which would probably reduce group sizing that much more. Mine will even shoot 1" or thereabouts with a scout configured scope setup. Some models are free floated and some are not, you would need to check each rifle to make sure.

I also own the Steyr model, and its accuracy is slightly better than the Ruger, but definitely not notable for the difference in price. It is as accurate as you would use a short barreled rifle for, and I cannot think of any applications where you would need more accuracy, except in precision competition or maybe long range shooting.

-PC-

It's not intended as a precision rifle... With that said I shot this group today with my GSR , 4X scope, 100 yards, using Federal GMM 168gr..



Im happy......

1ish MOA is fine, but 2MOA is meh. Not an owner of one yet, just going from reviews. Thanks to this thread now I'm wondering what the stainless model looks like.

If you are wanting the precision to be MOA, I would definitely go with the Scout over the Frontier models..............The frontiers do not have sights and have a semi-thin barrel to help contribute to the lighter weight. The frontier is still compact (there is a thread on here about them) But my 338 Federal had lately been grouping in at 2.5 MOA, which has me less than satisfied.........still a good rifle, and still compact, with good enough accuracy for most hunting. I believe me switching to the Nolser partitions will reduce the group sizing, but I am trying to be optimistic.

If you do decide to get one, and you desire high precision from it, may I recommend using the included rings to mount a scope traditionally. This does require removal of the rear sight for installation of the scope (if you use it in a traditional style mount) , but will permit more precision. Most scout scopes are low magnification and have a fairly thick reticle, meaning it will probably cover more than MOA @100 yards. Higher magnification and different style traditional scope will allow you to use a thinner reticle, therefore reducing its size at all ranges. Bearing this in mind if you do go with a scout setup, which I highly recommend (As it is fast, and everybody should have at least one in there collection, does not prohibit shots at ethical hunting ranges) there are a few choices that are marketed for scout setups, and they include Leupold, Burris, and I also saw a cheaper brand ($50 or so) on Gunbroker. I have one with a Burris setup (Ruger), and my Steyr has a Leupold on it. Both are of exceptional quality and will cost around $300 give or take. And if you do go with a scout setup, you will be able to use quick-detach rings to allow switching to the iron sights when needed. Others have substituted handgun scopes of varying manufacture for this purpose as well as other extended eye relief scopes. Whatever you choose have fun with it, and buying better glass now will provide a better experience for you.

Good Luck OP

-PC-

what has your guys wait been for getting one. my local gunshop said 3-4 months

I put mine on order on Nov. 1st, but the people I go through order direct from Ruger, and don't go through a middleman the way some smaller companies have to.

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As soon as the rifle came out on Ruger's website (day of) I went to my local funshop, and told him to get me one, I had it a week later, he is a Davidsons Dealer...aka Gallery of Guns...I just chekced them for you, and they are out of stock as well. Although I do not normally advise this kind of behavior.............you may wan't to check your local Cabelas to see, I know they have a special edition model specially made for them featuring a stainless barrel and action, with black flash hider, rail, sights, and magazine. This special edition also features a walnut stock instead of the laminate one.

-PC-

The shooter is the weak link in any rifle's accuracy. You won't know how well it shoots until you try one. Going off of internet opinions is your first mistake.

If you have a Cabelas near by then definatley check with them. If they do not have them in stock have them order it, I just talked to mine on Friday and standard blued one is in stock with their distributer so they can special order you one in at no additional charge. The Cabelas exclusive with Stanless reciever and barrel and Walnut stock can be transfered from one of the other Cabelas stores for a $25.00 fee is what they told me.
Cabelas price is a little more, but a bird in the hand.....

I was just about to pull the trigger on the stainless one when I called my local gun store one more time. They had just recieved 6. 4 went out people on their waiting list but one of the last 2 went to me!!!

Rifle is nice. Very excited. I am going with a traditional scope as I have two other different scout rifles already with scout scopes.

Two minor issues I have found. One is the scope rings for mounting a traditional scope they prvide with the gun are only good for 28-30mm bell scopes if you leave the rail mount on.
I have a 36mm scope(no AO) and it will not fit as the rings are too low. I bought the next size higher rings and my 36mm scope with AO still will not fit. You will need really high ruger rings to use a 40mm or bigger scope if you leave the rail on. A nice1-3X20 or 1.5-5X30 scope would work perfectly though wih the rings provided but not larger scopes unless you take the rail off.
I ordered one of the ful length XS rails so once I get it I will get some pictures up!! This will get me back up sights plus I have plenty of QD rings waiting at the proper height for my scope!!

Second issue I found is the barrel threading. My flash hider came off really easily with two people. One held the rifle, the other turned the wrench on the flats of the flash hider. I put a piece of paper in the wrench to keep from scratching the flash hider with the wrench. This worked perfectly. Now for the issue. The threads look nice. But behind the threads is an unmachined section that prevents my suppressor from seating up against the shoulder.
I looked down the barrel and can tell the suppressor is not properly alligned. This should be an easy fix for my local gunshop who does threading for me on a regular basis. I think only a relieve cut needs to be machined behind the threads to the shoulder to correct. This would probably not be an issue for a suppressor that uses a QD flash hider permanently attached, but my direct thread suppessor needs a good shoulder.
I will get some pictures up of this issue later as well.

This is still my favorite rifle for this moment,bare in mind I have many rifles and pistols and will have many many more!!!
I have a disease!!!!

2MOA is meh? That's still "deer-killing" groups out to 400 yards (figuring an 8" vital zone)....Are you planning on taking shots longer than that on a regular basis?

Personally, for what's essentially a lightweight hunting rifle, I'd be happy with 2.5MOA or better, especially with hunting ammo. Realistically, how far will you need to shoot it?

Not having shot an example of the rifle, I can only say that most shooters would be delighted if their personal skills allowed them to shoot into a 2 MOA rifle.

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