Ruger Scout .223 first impression

[smle-man]

I finally got it home today.

I wasn't able to sight in the carbine with the factory rear sight. It didn't have enough windage available to it, so I replaced it with a NEGC rear sight that I happened to have. Plenty of windage available and a better sight picture too. I also bought two AI poly magazines for it. They are shorter than the factory metal magazine and 2/3 the cost of the Ruger magazine.

I put 10 rounds through it before coming home from the range with it this morning. What a sweet-heart of a carbine!

[splithoof]

What range are you setting the iron sights to zero at?

[mlevans66]

I really like the 308 version but sold it to fund a move. I replaced it with a Adam Ams 308 but its not the same. I may go again but I would really like them to take AR mag like Magpul instead of the ones they currently use.

[P5Ret]

I like the Ruger's but I think they made a mistake by not making it compatible with AR mags.

[berg]

Is this rifle considered a long action or short action? How does the throw of the bolt feel when raised to your cheek?

[smle-man]

What range are you setting the iron sights to zero at?

I have it 1.5" high at 100 yds to give a 200 yd zero with 55 gr ball

[splithoof]

I have it 1.5" high at 100 yds to give a 200 yd zero with 55 gr ball

That sounds like the way to do it. .223 bolt rifles are a pleasure to shoot. With it's weight you can shoot all day.

[smle-man]

Is this rifle considered a long action or short action? How does the throw of the bolt feel when raised to your cheek?

Short action. Since it is right hand and I'm left handed it comes off my shoulder to work the bolt.

[dfletcher]

^
I do the same. Convenient shooting off a bench and picking up empties.

I have the GSR in 308 and my only strong dislike was the flimsy "bottom metal". I got the feeling that torquing the rear screw down tight would cause it to crack. PT & G sells an aluminium version, very sturdy and with sidewalls that extend below the stock. Takes standard mags.

[beardog308]

I have a lefty in .308. I swapped out the plastic trigger guard/mag well for a Impact Guns DBMwith a larger trigger guard for use with gloves and a longer mag release. I also use Alpha mags which are shorter and have and have tighter fit to the mag well, which increased even more with the installation of the bottom metal. I've also installed a Spec Tech trigger. Someone asked about steel cased ammo and the GSR eats Wolf just fine.

[6mmintl]

That is a good looking/balanced rifle, I would try a shorter flash hider/dissipator on muzzle.

A different rear sight fully/easily/adjustable for wind/elev. (Someone adapt a M1carbine or 1903 springfield rear sight).

Mag is big looking but upside is you can seat bullets out as throat wears, or, rebarreling to fast twist (7.7" or 8") and shoot heavy 70-90 grain VLD bullets from the magazine.

Now that would add some range to the gun.

[smle-man]

^
I do the same. Convenient shooting off a bench and picking up empties.

I have the GSR in 308 and my only strong dislike was the flimsy "bottom metal". I got the feeling that torquing the rear screw down tight would cause it to crack. PT & G sells an aluminium version, very sturdy and with sidewalls that extend below the stock. Takes standard mags.

I like it! Looks like the next upgrade for my Scout.

[smle-man]

That is a good looking/balanced rifle, I would try a shorter flash hider/dissipator on muzzle.

A different rear sight fully/easily/adjustable for wind/elev. (Someone adapt a M1carbine or 1903 springfield rear sight).

Mag is big looking but upside is you can seat bullets out as throat wears, or, rebarreling to fast twist (7.7" or 8") and shoot heavy 70-90 grain VLD bullets from the magazine.

Now that would add some range to the gun.

The NEGC sight is fully adjustable but not click adjustable.

[6mmintl]

I had one in 308. Really liked it. I'm hoping they come out in X39.

Id like to see any rifle in 7.62x39mm made with a .308 diameter bore, now your talking about a tremendous selection of good high BC bullets that will extend the range out to 600-700 yards. Std. 310-.312 dia. bullets are all flat base hunting bullets.

I had Kendog4570 make one up for me on a Mauser action and .308 1x10 twist Kreiger takeoff barrel.

I adapted 10 round single stack AK mags to it, shortened bolt throw, modified bolt face/extractor, and it shoots 155 SMK,s into 1/2 moa.

[smle-man]

I received the aluminum trigger guard and magazine housing as made and sold by Pacific Tool and Gauge today.

To install I needed two different size allen wrenches to remove the receiver bolts and a screw driver to remove the cross screw. I thought the cross screw was a recoil bolt only and didn't think that it also holds the trigger guard in place. I was tapping on the trigger guard with a wood block and nylon hammer and not getting it out of the stock thinking that the TG was an awfully tight fit when I realized why it wasn't coming out.

Once I got it out (it fell out when the screw was pulled out) I lined up the replacement piece and sized it up to see if it was going to be a press fit or not. It was, using the nylon hammer to tap it in, doing so evenly all around the assembly.

The AI polymer magazine fits a bit loose in the housing and rattles when the magazine is empty. I wrapped a single layer of masking tape around the top of the magazine and it is now fairly snug. The metal Ruger magazine is a snug but not tight fit, both magazines latch up tightly and feed fine using dummy rounds.

The picture makes the finish look sandblasted but that is from my camera. The finish is actually a smooth anodizing that looks attractive.

Price is $150, not inexpensive but worth it to me. Be sure you really want this piece if you order it because it is no returns allowed. I think I'm done customizing this rifle.