Ruger Scout Rifle Review 

Indeed, I have seen the Aussie version and I really like it (I'm just few minutes up the road from Ruger HQ). As much as I dig my Scout (post action job; did a video on that too) I'd really like a stainless version with a polymer stock for weather resistance. Thanks for watching.

Good to hear. The action on mine is now pretty smooth. I have a lot of love for that hard hitting, lefty bolt gun. Glad you are having good luck too, thanks for watching.

I really dig my Scout since the "action job" on the bolt (made a video about that). I really love the GSR now. I feel your pain about the AK, no can do here either. But I appreciate the reliability of a bolt gun for bugging out. I like my AR very much, fast and with a Surefire 60 round mag throws a ton of lead. But I just like the hard-hitting .308 cartridge so much more than the 5.56. Thanx for watching.

That's great you had the opportunity to meet the Colonel, I never had the pleasure. The GSR is now my go to rifle. Now that the action is smoothed out it's a peach; works just as it was designed. I get the scout scope concept but just didn't have the time (or the ammo) to really get used to it so I went conventional for now. I am so glad Ruger opted for a lefty version. Thanks for watching and commenting.

My pleasure, thanks for watching!

The Scout Rifle was very well described in your review. It was designed to be a light weight, quick handling battle rifle with the capability of engaging targets from very close range out to 400 meters. The forward mounted scope idea was designed so the shooter can view the terrain with both eyes and quickly acquire a target for a shot while "scouting" ahead of his team. I was at Gunsite in 2000, met Col Cooper in his home. Styre Scout rifle was good, but very expensive. Great review.

My pleasure, thanks for watching.

I did try a forward mount scope for a little while. While I have no doubt it would be effective I found the transition from conventional to forward mount somewhat difficult (at least for me). I'm sure that sufficient training would cure this issue, but given that range time costs me $60/per hour and .308 is so pricey it was a cost/convenience tradeoff. I will take another crack at the fwd scope once I move to some wide open spaces. Thanks for watching.

Thanks for the tip, I will dig up that article. Thanks for watching.

Thank you for the excellent review. I just got one (SS/LAM) after a few years of dreaming about it. Hope yours is still serving you well.

I originally thought it was operator error, but I gave the rifle to several highly experienced bolt gun guys and they had the same problem. Had the action smoothed (unconventionally-- did a video on that) and that solved the problem. The GSR is now my favorite rifle in my modest collection and I will keep it until the day I die. Thanks for watching.

Thank you and thanks for watching. That is a great deal. How is the action? Mine is still "sticky" but another viewer suggested I may be working the bolt improperly. I am gonna give it a go with a different technique to see if its just me. But overall love the rifle. It's a keeper.

Thanks for the great review. I actually bought a GSR two days ago and was looking around at what others have done with theirs. The Semiauto-VS-Bolt argument is an old one, that even extends into the paintball realm in which I used to dabble. I got more tags with my pump gun than many of the full-auto and semi players that sprayed all over the place, and did it with a LOT smaller logistical footprint.

I have seen one. Essentially it's the export model Ruger was selling in Australia. I wish they'd do a stainless barrel with a polymer stock for weather resistance. Thanks for watching!

I really love it. The GSR lives up to its "if you could only have one rifle" marketing hype. The Scout isn't exceptional in area but does many things pretty well. I think the accuracy complaints are overblown. It's not a dedicated target rifle. Like most long guns if you are looking for practical accuracy (for me minute of bad guy at 250 yards) the GSR is more than adequate. A G17, a scattergun and a GSR would be a great suite of firearms for real world uses.

I have heard glowing reports on the polys lately. Think I will buy a couple. The AI ten rounders are great; reliable and tough as a tank. But they are heavy and really expensive. Thanks for the report and for watching.

Thank you for the cogent discussion on rifle choice and application, and for the solid review.

No problem, it's the XS Sight System rail made specifically for the Ruger Scout. Kind of pricey ($90ish) but worth every dime. Great quality and solid as a rock. I will try to send you a PM with the link as the comments section won't let links pass through.

I have a friend who works for the Australian quarantine inspection service I will check with here after Easter to see exactly what I am allowed to bring into the country pertaining to mags etc because if I can I would love to get atleast 4 more 10 rounders that is our max mag capacity these days. thank and cheers mike

I don't mind a bit. I appreciate your confidence in the work

I have not seen after market stocks yet. Ruger started selling the SS barrel models in the U.S. I would really like a stainless barrel and composite stock but the factory furniture is holding up just fine (though I certainly don't beat on the rifle). Updates to follow, thanks for watching!

Hey Sentinel, great video! I have a GSR as well. I saw a left hander in the store and had to pick it up. I also got the XM sitesytems rail for it. I put on a Vortex Viper 1x4. I got it about a year ago and it has quickly become one of my favorite rifles. Just behind my M1a. I picked up some poly mags from Ruger. A couple of 10s and a 5 rounder for hunting. They work great. I love them. Yes you can top load them and that saves you some work when you are at the range. They are very reliable. I shot a few hundred rounds with them and havent had one problem. My action was sticky too when I first got the rifle. You need to make sure you apply downward pressure on the back of the bolt when moving it foward. Anything else and it tends to bind. At least for me anyway. Anyway I think you made a great choice. I am in New York and I feel your pain. These gun laws are nuts...

I went with the extended rail because it allows for quick removal/reattachment of the conventionally mounted scope and would also allow to easily switch to a scout scope in the field. I don't have a scout scope but wanted to have the option in the future. Thanks for watching!

Thought about an SKS (I have one). Great rifle. The biggest downside was fitting it for modern optics (old eyes) and mag capacity. If there were no scout rifle I probably would take the SKS. But between optics issues, very limited capacity and adding another cartridge into inventory it just didn't do it for me. Now that the Scout is running well it's a keeper. Thanks for watching.

It's coming up. I really wanted to put the Leupold through its paces. I am an old shoot through the irons guy so I don't have much experience with glass. Now it's been awhile and it's time to grade the scope, video coming up soon. Thanks for watching.

Ha! I must agree Siamese is perfect. I tried a Maine Coon but he made the rifle too heavy. Thanks for watching. PS- I had a rather unusual action job done on the Scout, made a video on it a couple of weeks ago.

Great review...i get mine this comming monday and Can not wait!...Also i sub bc this is the most informative review ive seen on this gun out of about 10

I brought that 9/64 this morning those two extra spacers make a massive difference the scope comes straight up now and that is awesome as you would well know, and yes i have the stainless version but would have preferred the blued either way its an awesome rifle accurate and hits like a hammer thanks for your help. cheers mike

In loving that rifle. Came pretty close to putting into action during the hurricane, avoided bugging out but just barely. Thanx for watching.

The development of the 5.56 cartridge was interesting. I understand the rationale, putting a soldier out of action was the intent. But I think they goofed because the original 5.56 round could be easily thrown off course by light vegetation and barrier penetration just wasn't good. I much prefer the .308 because if there really is an SHTF situation cars will be used as barriers and cover. Thanks for watching!

great review. Did you ever do a review on the Leupold scope? I'd like to see what you think.

Glad to help. After the initial review I would have given the GSR a grade of B. Once the sticky bolt was taken care of (see the video "Scout Rifle Update") it's a solid A. It's my favorite rifle in my admittedly modest collection.

No doubt it would have been great. The Army really shortchanged itself by selecting the .223 cartridge. I know that there have been improvements making the round more capable but it just isn't the best choice for an all around military cartridge IMHO. Thanks for watching.

Sent over the PM. I really dig that rail. I used it for a little while with a scout scope and went back to conventional. The rail worked great both ways, just had a hard time adjusting to a fwd mount scope.

Looked at different .308 semi-autos FAL, AR-10 and M-1 variants. They are nice rifles but very pricey. If I were right handed I probably would have bought one of the three. But for the money they get for those ($2K plus) I really want a lefty friendly gun. Stag Arms is supposedly coming to market with a lefty .308 AR but I've been waiting for 2 years and nothing on the horizon. Thanks for watching.

I think the Accurate Mags were around $50 for the five rounder and $70 for the ten. Steep but they do work great. Wish I could do the AK even the hunting versions are prohibited. Still I am digging the Scout. Thanks for watching.

The gun laws down under are a real bummer. But even though I have a couple of AR-15s, a VEPR and a FAL, the Scout is my go to rifle. Just can't beat the reliability and ease of field service of a bolt gun. Out of the box the action on my GSR was pretty sticky. But with an unusual break in method (did a video update called the Unorthodox Action Job) it's now squared away.The Aussie Scout has the 18" stainless barrel, really nice. I give the GSR a thumbs up great rifle, thanks for watching.

Yep, VX-R Patrol 1.25-4 power. Great scope with the illuminated reticle. Low power glass for a .308, but as survival gun I think it's more likely to be used at closer distances. Thought about moving the scope over to the AR but I'm on the fence. I'd love to just by another one but at $500 it's kinda steep.

Thanks for the feedback and for watching!

Thanks for watching. I spend a lot of time, money and energy setting up my gear so it's nice when it works out, a bummer of a learning experience when it doesn't. Haven't gotten to NV stuff yet (the pricing hasn't come down to my budget yet. Working on a brief update video on the Scout.

Looked into a big 10. But reliability issues and no left handed models turned me off. Thanks for watching!

Now that it has been a year, what do you think about the rifle? I have found this rifle locally for considerably less and for me every dime counts. I currently own a G17 and a shotgun and was looking for a rifle that will like they say, do many things well. The major concern for me with this model is accuracy but it holds many perceived advantages with size and caliber plus it comes in a left handed.

18" SS has recently come to U.S. Good luck getting one right now in the U.S. market though. Will never sell my original Scout and love it too much and am looking for the 18"SS model. Hope I can pick one up this year.

I have watched this review a few times now and I do like its honesty do you mind if I repost it on my channel? cheers mike

Don't blame you one bit! Mossy makes great scatterguns. I have the Remy 870. I bought that over a Mossberg only because I scored a brand new, but old stock police tactical model with high cap tube, XS ghost ring sights and a Surefire high lumen fore end for $600 out the door. If I needed another shotty I'd buy a Mossberg in a New York minute.

I prefer shooting through irons too but scopes become a necessity with age unfortunately. If you want the full length rail you should be able to order it directly from XS Sight Systems. It was pricey $90 U.S. a few years ago but it fits perfectly, is finely crafted and highly functional, well worth the money. If I were to put a red dot on the Scout I would go with the Aimpoint. The price is hard to swallow but performance and durability are top notch.

Amen to that brother. Sounds like you have a keeper.

First I've heard of Accurate Mags being sub-par (although I've only used the .308 models). Have you had problems with their .308 ?

As for the 5.56 we were told the history of the round and also told that the military wanted a round to injure more so more people had to aid in moving the wounded. right or wrong that is what they went with. As for fighting off a squad or platoon sized element is a bad deal with one person no matter what you have. We were taught when "scouting" your mission is not to engage, in a bug out situation it is still the same, escape and evade not to make contact (if you know what I mean). Great video,

My pleasure, thanks for watching. Are you having a problem with a "sticky" bolt? Many GSR owners, myself included, had trouble with the forward throw on the bolt. If so see the "Scout Rifle Update" video update for an unorthodox action job.

I do also, a lot of snipers use .308/7.62 as do other countries for the general combat load. But if you have to carry a load out of 7.63 or 5.56, I would like to carry the 5.56 as it is lighter and over a long hump (20+) the 7.62 gets a bit heavy (I was the 60 gunner). Thank you for your response!

The bolt action is smooth if you always maintain downward pressure when cycling rounds. If you push up at all, that's when it catches and hesitates.

The covers are decent but not spectacular, especially for the price. The springs opening and magnetic closure work OK, fit and finish is fine. II paid somewhere around $40 for the set direct from Leupold and I had to wait weeks for delivery. I'm not sure if there alternatives out there now, but back then I couldn't find anything else other than generic rubber "slingshot" scope covers. I would buy them again, but now that the VX-R has been out for awhile maybe there's a better deal out there.

I was hesitant to send the rifle back so I addressed the issue through some unconventional means. See the video I made about a month ago. This damn thing won't accept a link but it's just called "Scout Rifle Update". I love that rifle now and it's kind of a funny story. Thanx for watching.

Hi, I haven't read all the comments, so I don't know if this has been up. About the extended rail. As I have seen on other vids the rear ironsight is removable with a tiny rail underneath for scopemount. Was there another reason for going with a longer rail other than fear of losing the ghostring thus keeping it on allways? (Thanks for a good review).

Fantastic Review

I have a basic leupold, getting two more its , the vx-1 3x9x50 , costs about 450 up here. I cannot afford the VX-R , they are 700 plus up here. Either way, that is one sweet setup you got there, I am going with the mossberg MVP instead, it will take a couple of years before ruger sends any product like this back up to Canada.

Great video. Thank you! Quick question, your vx-r scope covers... What size or part number are they? I'm trying to find those very covers. Thank you so much.

I thought it was an aberration but found many Ruger scout owners with the same complaint. Basically it took awhile to break in (I did a whole video on how I hired my ding-a-ling nephews to handle that for me). The rifle really has smoothed out. I think Ruger just cut corners with fine finish/polishing the bolt assembly. It's a good rifle, I'd buy it again. Love the fact that they make a lefty.

ah i see, thanks a lot man. i thought i was the only one in the world who doesn't prefer a scope. my gun licence is still in it's cooldown stage here in Australia so i'll see what i can do with the local gun shop about the information you provided, thanks again

But I put a Leupold 1.25 x 4 illuminated reticle scope on my Scout. Up close and personal it's like a red dot (has an actual red dot) although there is slight magnification and not as great a field of view as a real red dot. But the up side is that the magnification gives the powerful .308 some reach with my tired old eyes. I have a review on that scope in the works.

An interesting question for you bud, are those flip up coveres worth the money, I am about to buy some.

It's a standard 9/64" Allen key. If you have a Craftsman set of 9 keys ranging 5/64 to a 1/4" it's the one smack dab in the middle.

How are you guys going for ammo over their at the moment, we seem to have access to plenty still?

Mounting a red dot would be easy. As a good red dot has unlimited eye relief (assuming your eyes are good enough to see the dot from afar) forward mounting on the factory Picatinny rail would work. Personally I like my red dots mounted further aft but a full length aftermarket Picatinny (mine's an XS Sight made specifically for the Ruger Scout) would be a great choice for rear mounting a red dot. I'm not much of a scope guy either (Cont'd.)

HELP!: Can you tell me where you got the Picatinny rail that extends back to the original rear sight(like on your rifle)? Is it the Hi-Lux? I got a scope for Christmas and it needs the Picatinny rail to go back to where a typical scope mounts like yours. I've seen a couple online, but am afraid to buy the wrong one that won't mount correctly.

you can get the extended picitinny rail from XS systems, brought mine through Brownells

That would be awesome, looks like a great scope.

I'd go with a .22LR, but am wondering whether a .308 is a bit overkill (or unsuited) for the reasons you state? I'd probably go for a (Marlin) 30.30 or .45-70 lever action and a decent no-frills shotgun - especially since it's a pure defence / get meat, up close-ish, weapon? You mention at the end that you've got the shotgun, so ignore that bit!

I've heard that all of the VX series scopes are good. It looks like there's a forty percent or so premium up in Canada, that isn't right. I like Mossberg (they are another local manufacturer) and I hear great things about the MVP. The Scout Rifle is good, but not perfect. The clincher for me is that they make a lefty version.

I love my Scout, and found a No Drill receiver mounted picatinny rail option for around $60 at Jack Weigand Combat Arms, they call it the Weigatinny Rail.

Thank you, many of my students agree.

They offer the stainless 18 in the US now as well. No one makes aftermarket stocks for it yet its just way to new to the market and not super popular yet.

What do i need to to add the the extra plates to extend the butt ive tried every screw driver and allen key i own?

We do have Tikkas, really nice rifles. I wanted a carbine length .308 (left handed too). The Tikka .308 model has a 22" barrel. Great for hunting, not so great for a scout type rifle. The Tikkas only have 3-5 round mags here and that is another downside. Overall I'm very happy with the Ruger, she's a keeper. If things really hit the fan here and we have to bug out I will take the Scout rifle and leave the ARs, FAL, VEPR. in the gun safe.

Mine hits 1 moa with norma brass and rl15. The problem is the bolt. A live round was stuck in the chamber and ended my range day early. Sometimes the bolt does not pick up the round in the extractor and jams it forward into the chamber. NOT something you want to happen when you see that buck in the bushes. Leaves me to second guess this as a choice for a bush gun. Trigger is good. Feel and mobility is excellent.

Logistics is so important in the grand scheme of things. While I'm not a big fan of .223/5.56 NATO as a battle rifle cartridge it is the standard, so I am married to the round with ARs, magazines and more than ten thousand rounds of 5.56 on hand. But if we have to bug out the .308 Scout is the go to rifle.

What do the accurate mags cost? they dont list prices on website

thanks for the review.

Thankyou your a legend, its probably going to be the only size allen key i don't have. cheers mike

Nice video - get an AK 10 - it's 308 and a Stud Hause - I've been shooting a Remington model 700 308 for years and love it and am really likeing this Ruger as well - Nice Rifle!

Thanks for watching. I made a follow up video on the Scout smoothing out the action.

Ammo is very tight still but improving a little bit. Prices are over the moon with no end in sight.

I love that cat,and the Rolodex.That goes well with the notepad and Space Pen.

Are you still liking the Scout rifle.

Hmmm... I have never handled the Ruger rendition, but I have owned two P14s in my time, and they were both pretty slick actions for front-lockers. It seems odd that war-time mass production produced a smoother action than peacetime engineers can do. As you say, a $1000 rifle ought not to have a rough action. With modern CNC machinery, there's no excuse for that. Rugers generally are pretty good guns, let's hope this one is an exception.

I know those guys over at Accurate Mag who make the steel GSR mags. I will try to run some interference and see if I can get them to work with you folks Down Under. Are the 10 rounders legal everywhere in AUS? I have the 5 and 10 round mags and have had no problem with either type.

Thanx for watching.

The Stainless is finally coming out in the U.S. I like it!

Cats and Guns- the two best parts about youtube

Thanks for watching!

yeah i can understand that but im still young so i'll enjoy a red dot while i can in that case :P money can become a situation for anyone but aimpoint you say, i'll do some homework on it. performance and durability is what i really need, if im going to invest in survival equipment i want the high end stuff like i did with my drum kits so thanks again my friend

I bought an AK-47 Saiga...you should certainly be able to get one in hunting form...i am from Ohio and had it fully converted to a real AK...it is soooooo sick and Russian made is quality...got a front grip and pistol grip put on it....that is my 1st bug out gun...second is this scout

3 Cats, 3 Dogs it's a full time job. Yeah I'm pretty much a technical newbie (I still use a slide rule). Thanks for wataching.

Outliving our pets is the hardest part of having them. At one point we had four dogs and three cats. Funny how differently they think. A dog's attitude toward humans is "they love me, and make sure all of my needs and wants are met-- they must be god". A cat's attitude toward humans is "they love me, and make sure all of my needs and wants are met-- I must be god". Thanks for watching.

I'd be real tempted to get an SS to keep my original company. If they make a model with composite furniture for foul weather use I'd buy one in a New York minute.

Anytime. Enjoy the GSR. Curiously Ruger doesn't sell the stainless version in the U.S. Just subbed your channel, great info.

Great vid man. Thanks.

Wow! A hundred bucks for the set is pretty steep. The VX-R is a great scope and it's worth protecting, but those lens caps just aren't worth a hundred bucks. Have you tried a high end optics accessory shop like LaRue or GGG?

VZ58s might be legal but it's a gamble. The statute outlaws AK-47 "type" guns. So AKs in 7.62 x 39 are out. But AK-74 type (5.45 cal.) are perfectly legal as is the SKS. The VZ is AK looking and chambered in 7.62, but has no parts common to the AK. Therefore it should be legal. But the law is ambiguous and the LEOs enforcing the law will probably not have a clue. I just don't want to become a test case and end up with the fuzzy end of the lollipop when a an LEO or court decides I'm wrong.