Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Ruger Gunsite Scout .308

I know there've been threads on here about them, but the search function sucks. I was pretty ambivalent to them until yesterday when I actually picked a couple up and handled them. Man, that .223 with 1/8 would be cool as hell if it didn't way 50lbs. The .308 is what really intrigued me. The stock felt pretty good to me, it comes with what seem like good irons, it's heavy, but not retarded heavy. Detatchable mag and threaded. Lots of pluses. I'm really interested in it, but would like to hear from some members who have one. Likes/dislikes? Accuracy?

I'm not looking for something to ring steel at a mile, just a handy, higher capacity short barreled carbine I can spin a can onto if I want. Would likely see use on whatever I feel like shooting from about 500 in.

The Ruger Gunsite Scout rifle is a good rifle with an unfortunate name. It's not a very good Scout rifle because Scout rifles are supposed to be light and as you've already noticed the things are quite heavy for a 308 carbine. The single stack magazine also is a lot longer than required for the capacity.

Other than that it's rugged, reasonably accurate and comes with a good set or iron sights. It would make a great truck gun because then the weight wouldn't matter so much. I just wish they'd called it the Ruger Truck Buddy or something.

Good rifle, a little heavy perhaps, but there is a model with a synthetic stock that is quite a bit lighter. I have a laminate model in .308 and it's accurate enough to shoot at 500 yards I'd venture. My rifle has the 18.5 inch barrel and is stainless. Changed the rings to Leupold and that shaved a few ounces, and have ordered five and three round magazines as I have no real use for a ten rounder.

They make a version now with a synthetic stock that is considerably lighter.

If you can do without higher capacity buy the Predator for $400. Mine weighs 7 lbs scoped, has a threaded barrel, detachable mags, and is more than likely much more accurate than the GSR. I've only had mine about a month and haven't fired a 3 shot group yet over .75 MOA.

I know there's a lot of love for the RAR on here, but they just leave me cold. Same with the plasTikkas. I think the Gunsite is pretty damn cool, but man it's a pig! That .223 is uber, if I knew that it'd bug hole I'd probably take it home. MT will now let us use suppressors to hunt, so I'm in the planning stages of getting a rifle I can screw a can on.

I'll probably just have my 22-250 threaded and mull over the other options for awhile. Maybe just get a 700 SA and a Micky, and screw a barrel of whatever cartridge I can decide on.

But damn, I like the way that Gunsite is put together.

Several points for whatever rifle you choose to suppress:

1. Calculate the overall rifle weight with the suppressor. Even with today's light cans, you'll be looking at 12-20 ounces of additional weight, which really adds up if you started out with a pig. This leads into 2....

2. The added length, along with the additional weight way out there on the end will necessitate chopping the barrel down to a manageable length to maintain a decent handling rifle. The Silencerco Omega can be reduced to 6" of length. Subtract another .6" for threads from the overall rifle length. Screw this onto a 16-18" barrel and you're looking at a similar overall length to many factory hunting rifles. Many of the 30 cal cans are more like 9-10" in length, so plan accordingly.

3. Balance can be pretty front heavy with a suppressed rifle. A guy can start out with a somewhat muzzle light rifle, or add a decently heavy scope to help maintain balance within the force.

5. With the short barrel, you're going to be "stepping down" in velocity, almost like dropping down a cartridge. A 16" barreled 30-06 is likely to have similar ballistics to a 24" 308. Run some numbers to determine which bullets will work in your new velocity range, which will still open up at your desired max range, etc. For example, I wouldn't wanna be shooting a 16" barreled 308 with 168 grain Barnes TSX bullets and still expect particularly good performance, especially as the range increased. Using a round that can take advantage of sleek bullet designs will really help with the slower starting velocities.....perhaps think of a 6.5 of some sort, or 155 Scenars in the 308.

6. Hopefully you already have your can on the way, as ordering it now will likely bring it in too late for Montana's big game season.

Good points!

Oh yeah dude, hoping to have it all set for next season. I have a .22 can on the way and though ATF for my paperwork First week of April it'll be at least September till I have it in hand.

This'll just be for walking around the prairie, so although the added length will be a bitch, it won't live on there. I "think" adding on to my 23" 250 it'll be ok. If I end up falling in love with the whole suppressor thing I will definitely build or buy something tailored as you pointed out. If I end up figuring it's not worth the effort I'll just get a SBR AR upper and leave it on.

The more I think about it I think I will just have the existing tube on my 22-250 and my sons 243 threaded. His is already short, so maybe I'll just let him have it.

Dunno till I try!

I really like my Ruger Scout in .308. Mines scary accurate. It will easily do 3/4" 5 shot groups at 100 yards with el cheapo 150 gr Remington Corelocks.

Well this is ironic. I just picked up a 308 today. I was really looking hard at the CTR. But I went with the ruger, it fits my needs.

Cool! I have a buddy pressuring me towards the plastikka, even called me names for liking the looks and features of the Ruger.

Dear Gruff,

If you live anywhere near, I would welcome you to shoot my CTR at the local range. I trust the time spent behind this rifle may influence your decision.

God bless,
Clark

So those of you with a Sout rifle, what optics if any do you have on them?

Not a "scout" rifle per say, but I have a 375 win bolt action I had a red-dot on in the scout position out in front of the action that I used for a few years. Crazy fast on target, worked well for me out to 150 or so. I've a Burris 2.75 Scout on my 1895 Marlin, it's cool and allows more precise aiming than irons, but not as fast on target as the red dot.

Mine has a Leupold VX-III 2.5 X 8 mounted in the conventional style. I hate "Scout" scope!

I don't know if I want to try the scout scopes. What do all think about an Aimpoint, that way I can keep the irons.

One way to find out!

I like the idea of the Gunsite Scout, have been looking pretty hard at them. Think I would lean towards the synthetic model. In 308 it really looks like a do it all kind of rifle. I would lean towards a traditional scope mount. I have a Scout scope on my guide gun, it's fairly quick, but the loss of F.O.V makes any quick site acquisition a wash.

If going for a Gunsite Scout, the synthetic model is what I'd be looking at as well. Add 2.5-3 pounds of scope, suppressor, cartridges, and sling, and be around 9 lbs all up. Chuck the Scout rail mount over a cliff and save a few ounces.

Yeah it's a stout little fella, but the weight isn't an issue. Nobody walks around here anyway, well to the stand maybe. LOL

Very happy with my .308 Scout. Standard 3-9x scope, additional 3- and 5-round synthetic mags. Mostly I use the 3-round synthetic, which fits almost flush with the bottom of the stock. The synthetics fit better and are quieter. Sincerely doubt I’ll ever need the Scout rifle for the purposes for which the good Colonel defined the Scout package, but I love the short barrel (mine is 16.5”) and plan to get a suppressor. Also doubt I’ll ever get a forward mounted scope due to the extra cost. In fact, once I get load development done, I’ll probably revert to the irons, which is one reason I purchased it.

Accuracy is very good for my needs (~1" and 2699fps with a 150g BT).

Would I buy it again? Yup.