While not true to the definition, a M4 with an aimpoint is a scout rifle.
No, not even close. By definition, it must be adequate for game up to 400 kilos. I attended Randy Cain's Practical Rifle Class with a gal who'd been there about five times IIRC. She had a lightened 700 with a KDF'd 16in #1 barrel in a Lone Wolf stock, wearing a 1.5x5 Leupy. She was hell on wheels with that thing. She could go prone and dump a man at 200yd before you could say don't. Her husband took her to Africa with her little 308. She dumped five head of plains game with one round of 308 light magnum per critter.
Here's the deal. If you want rifle that hits like Thor's hammer, and handles like a 20gauge quail gun, it can't be gas gun.
