The scout rifle needs to be short, lightweight, handy and chambered in .308 Win./7.62 NATO — a rifle to do just about anything needed from hunting to self-defense.
Our Scout Rifle Picks:
- Overall Pick: Steyr Scout Rifle
- Classic Style: Ruger Gunsite Scout
- Most Adjustable: Savage Scout Rifle
- Budget Choice: Mossberg MVP Scout
- Semi-Auto Option: Springfield M1A Scout Squad
What Is A Scout Rifle?
The concept of the scout rifle was developed by recognized gun expert, the late Lt. Col Jeff Cooper. The rifle needed to be accurate with iron sights to 500 yards and powerful enough to take down large game animals for hunting or self-defense. For this, Cooper selected a bolt-action rifle (as these are far less restricted than semi-auto rifles) less than 40 inches long and weighing under 6.5 pounds.
He also chose the .308/7.62 caliber as an ideal all-purpose round and, as it is common with many militaries around the globe, easy to find.
There are many rifles that fit Cooper’s criteria but then he added one very distinctive feature — a forward-mounted magnified optic with extended eye relief. Extended eye relief scopes are more commonly seen on handguns but there was method to Cooper’s madness.
Speed and reliability were two of his concerns (another reason to opt for a bolt action) and he wanted to keep the area above the action free of any obstruction (like a scope). This allowed for scout rifles to be reloaded faster with stripper clips and ensured that ejection of empty cases was not engendered in any way.
Lastly, Cooper felt that having an extended eye relief scope prevented the development of tunnel vision and allowed the operator full peripheral vision and situational awareness. One drawback of extended eye relief scopes is that they lack the full magnification of larger rearward-mounted optics. Cooper felt that 2-3x magnification was sufficient.
There were some other less distinct features that Cooper insisted on, but they are not necessary to the core concept of the scout rifle. After all, he was building the rifle in his mind from scratch, so anything is possible. Only one company built Cooper his scout rifle while he was alive, the Steyr Scout. Since then, several more companies have come forward with their own Cooper-inspired scout rifles. Here, we're going to go over what we think are the five best scout rifles currently on the market.
Specs Comparison Of The Best Scout Rifles
| Make/Model | Caliber | Barrel Length | Overall Length | Weight | Sights | Stock | Action | Finish | Capacity | Price |
| Steyr Scout | .308 Winchester | 19 inches | 38.6 inches | 6.6 pounds | Iron with Picatinny Rail | Plastic | Bolt | Black, Gray or Green | 5+1 | $1,889 |
| Ruger Gunsite Scout | .308 Winchester | 16.1 inches | 38.5 inches | 7.1 pounds | Iron with Picatinny Rail | Laminate | Bolt | Black or Gray | 10+1 | $1,479 |
| Savage 110 Scout | .308 Winchester | 16.5 inches | 38.5 inches | 7.72 pounds | Iron with Picatinny Rail | Synthetic | Bolt | Flat Dark Earth | 10+1 | $959 |
| Mossberg MVP Scout | .308 Winchester | 16.25 inches | 37.5 inches | 6.75 pounds | Iron with Picatinny Rail | Synthetic | Bolt | Black | 10+1 | $734 |
| Springfield M1A Scout Squad | .308 Winchester | 18 inches | 40.33 inches | 8.8 pounds | Iron with Picatinny Rail | Synthetic | Semi-Auto | Black | 10+1 | $1,945 |
Best Scout Rifles For Survival
Steyr Scout Rifle
Pros:
- The most true-to-form scout rifle based on Cooper's concept
- Lightweight
- Holds spare mag in stock
- Integrated bipod
Cons:
- Bipod fragile
- Non-standard magazines
- Expensive
The original Scout Rifle, the Steyr Scout has all the features Cooper wanted. It’s a lightweight rifle with backup ghost ring iron sights mounted on the receiver and not the barrel, a magazine cutoff device to be able to fire one shot only or with a 5-round detachable magazine. The polymer stock has a backup 5-round magazine in the buttstock. The fore-end of the stock sports an integral bipod that folds up completely into the stock, an accessory rail and five sling attachment points, another Cooper notion.
The Steyr Scout has a three-position safety with a fire option and two levels of safety, one locks the bolt and one does not. Of course, the rifle is available in different colors and calibers, as Cooper recognized that in some countries civilians are not allowed to own firearms that can function using military calibers. Extended capacity magazines (up to 20 rounds) are also available.
Steyr Scout Specs:
- Caliber: .308 Win.
- Barrel: 19 in.
- Overall Length: 38.6 in.
- Weight: 6.6 lbs. (without magazine)
- Sights: Iron with rail
- Stock: Plastic
- Action: Bolt
- Finish: Black, gray or green
- Capacity: 5+1 rounds
- Price: $1,889
Ruger Gunsite Scout Rifle
Pros:
- Durable and attractive wood stock
- Compact overall length
- AICS-pattern magazines
- Included muzzle brake
Cons:
- Heavy
- Relatively expensive
Ruger developed their own scout concept and dubbed it appropriately the “Gunsite Scout Rifle.” Gunsite is, of course, the training facility established by Jeff Cooper.
These scout rifles feature a forward-mounted Picatinny rail for optics, ghost ring backup iron sights, a detachable 10-round box magazine (5 rounders are available), and a traditional scope mounting option. They are available in several different calibers.
The rifle was developed in conjunction with the Gunsite Academy and features their name engraved on the receiver. Interestingly, this rifle features a grey laminated wood stock that is weather resistant and includes rubber spacers that can be used to adjust the length of pull at the buttpad.
A synthetic stock model is also available, and in both stock types the barrel remains free floated. The barrel, available in two different lengths and in either stainless steel or blued, is cold hammer forged for improved accuracy and longer life. The barrel is topped off with a choice of different muzzle devices, a flash hider being the most common.
Ruger Gunsite Scout Specs:
- Caliber: .308 Win.
- Barrel: 16.1 in.
- Overall Length: 38.5 in.
- Weight: 7.1 lbs. (without magazine)
- Sights: Iron with rail
- Stock: Laminate
- Action: Bolt
- Finish: Black, gray or black
- Capacity: 10+1 rounds
- Price: Starts at $1,479
Savage 110 Scout
Pros:
- Proven AccuTrigger
- Stock is adjustable for both LOP and comb height
- AICS-style magazines
- Ships with muzzle brake
Cons:
- Iron sights not hot
- On the heavier side
Savage is known for making very accurate rifles at reasonable prices, and the Model 110 Scout is no exception.
They key to any modern Savage rifle is the AccuTrigger, which allows you to adjust the trigger pull for increased comfort and accuracy.
The Savage AccuStock provides a rigid interface between stock, action and barrel, and supports parts along the entire length rather than at just two points. This diminishes pressure on the barrel and improves accuracy.
Like other scout rifles, the Savage 110 Scout is a bolt action with a forward-mounted optics rail, backup iron ghost ring sights, and a synthetic stock. It also features a detachable box magazine with 10-round capacity, a muzzle brake and an adjustable stock.
Savage 110 Scout Specs:
- Caliber: .308 Win.
- Barrel: 16.5 in.
- Overall Length: 38.5 in.
- Weight: 7.72 lbs. (without magazine)
- Sights: Iron with rail
- Stock: Synthetic
- Action: Bolt
- Finish: Flat dark earth
- Capacity: 10+1 rounds
- Price: $959
Mossberg MVP Scout
Pros:
- Very affordable
- Lightweight and compact
- Adjustable trigger
- Uses AR-style mags
Cons:
- Bolt runs rough
- Finish could be better
Mossberg seems to be mostly known for its Model 500 shotgun, but the company makes plenty of popular rifles as well, including the Mossberg MVP Scout. One thing that sets the MVP Scout apart from other scout rifles is that it can accept both M1A and AR-10 magazines.
The longer length top Picatinny rail allows for more expansive options for optics while the backup iron ghost ring sights include a front fiber optic for improved visibility.
The short barrel is threaded so it can accept standard AR muzzle devices (Standard A2 flash hider is included) as well as a suppressor if so desired. The trigger pull is user adjustable from 3 to 7 pounds, the bolt handle is oversized for easier use, and the synthetic stock includes side rails for mounting accessories.
The rifle can be purchased with a Vortex scope and comes with a sling as well. It is only available in one size and caliber.
Mossberg MVP Scout Specs:
- Caliber: .308 Win.
- Barrel: 16.25 in.
- Overall Length: 37.5 in.
- Weight: 6.75 lbs. (without magazine)
- Sights: Iron with rail
- Stock: Synthetic
- Action: Bolt
- Finish: Black
- Capacity: 10+1 rounds
- Price: $734
Springfield M1A Scout Squad
Pros:
- Semi-auto
- Included muzzle brake
Cons:
- Heavy
- Expensive
Jeff Cooper was asked about the possibility of scout rifles being semi-automatic and he was certainly not opposed but insisted on reliability.
There is hardly a more battle proven and reliable semi-auto rifle than the M1 Garand and the M1A. Springfield Armory has been churning out M1A rifles for some time and has developed a scout version as well.
The Springfield Armory M1A-A1 Scout Squad takes the standard M1A concept and turns it into a much smaller and handier rifle with forward-mounted Picatinny rail, synthetic stock, and a recoil-reducing muzzle brake.
The rifle sports an 18-inch barrel, two-stage trigger, aperture adjustable iron sights, a standard box magazine, and gas piston-operated reliability in 7.62 NATO.
Springfield M1A Scout Squad Specs:
- Caliber: .308 Win.
- Barrel: 18 in.
- Overall Length: 40.33 in.
- Weight: 8.8 lbs. (without magazine)
- Sights: Iron with rail
- Stock: Synthetic
- Action: Semi-auto
- Finish: Black
- Capacity: 10+1 rounds
- Price: Starts at $1,945
Editor’s Note: This excerpt is from Modern Survival Guns: The Complete Preppers' Guide to Dealing with Everyday Threats, available now at GunDigestStore.com.
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I have one of the original scout rifles…the Remington model 788 in .308 with the 18 inch barrel.
The unique bolt/ receiver design made for a lightning fast trigger sear, which helped the rifle achieve its outstanding accuracy. The first time I stroked the trigger on my Remington sendero, I was shocked at how clunky the model 700 trigger felt compared to the silky, smooth break of the 788…
The only non-cooper component was a forward mounted picatinny rail. However, that never caused cycling issues or ejection problems.
Shorter, lighter and less expensive than any of those five is the Ruger American Compact in .308, .243 or 7mm-08 Rem at
36.75 inches, 6 pounds even and $599.
The Compact does not have the Scout scope mounting position available but if you ever had a Scout scope like I had on an M1 Garand, you know that it is an itch quickly scratched. Scout scopes have a limited field of view and are difficult to get your eye into and get on target. Though I have never had one, it seems to me a red dot would make more sense and be lighter if getting quickly on target is the priority.
As usual, important details ignored. Of the models listed, only the Ruger is available in a left handed version. Savage’s Special Order Department can probably do a lefty version, but not 100% sure about that. The Springfield will work fine from either side ( I used to own an M1 Garand, it threw its empties forward and cycling the bolt with either hand was easy). The Springfield is also the only one that is set up for stripper clips (if you can find them). Among the bolt guns covered, only the Ruger is a controlled round feed action. Some people will want that feature on a rifle of this type, others won’t. The author should have mentioned it.
Really derivative article if it wasn’t written by a bot it was written by an author entirely on autopilot. Needs to delve into Ultralight Ar308s, POF Rogue, VSeven, Red River rifles that don’t bear the name Scout like the Springfield but do everything the Squad Scout does but better.
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Seems like y’all have invented a Lee Enfield No.5 Jungle Carbine…