Anyone own or used one of these?  Thinking about making it my reenlistment present to myself.  I was looking for info on the loss of velocity/range going fromthe 22" to the 18" scout barrel.  Also, does the weaver rail on the scout prevent you from mounting the 56mm mil dot scope?

Not to be an opportunist...but I've got a very slightly used one, with accessories, for sale on the rifle/shotgun board.  I think just about any scope mount combo can be configred on the Scout.  The forward mount is also easily removed/installed if need be. Not sure about the velocity question, but I can't imagine the loss to be very substantial, even out to 500 meters or more. The .308 ain't no wimpy thang.:)

I don’t have one.  However, I recall other posts here where owners have complained that the Weaver mount gets hot very fast.

ok...but what I want to know is if you can mount Springfields 56mm scope as you would to any of their other m1a rifles with the forward weaver base still attached, or does the front of the scope hit the weaver mount?  Also...anyone ever see a wood replacement for the plastic handguard?