Ruger Scout HD setup

[geekeye]

I just DROSed a Ruger GSR in 350 Legend today. While I wait for it to clear I'm curious to hear if anyone has set one of these up for home defense? If so, any pointers on lights, lasers, short range optics, etc?

Also, yes, I know most people wouldn't choose a bolt action for this application, but I have my reasons and it is what it is. Will be a hunting gun as soon as somebody makes lead free ammo for it, or I take it out of state. In the meantime I might as well make it useful.

[splithoof]

[geekeye]

i haven't seen any lead free factory ammo for it yet, but since it is actually a .357 bullet, hand loading a Barnes or Lehigh should be possible, though i'm not set up to do that yet. i would probably chose the first for deer and the latter for hog.

looking forward to pics!

[200Apples]

The Scout with the 255 grain subsonic load would be a dandy HD weapon.

A 17"-barreled RGSR and a 1050-ish fps .357" diameter 255 grain projectile with it's comfy recoil? Come on. That's great.

Of course one can have that with a handgun too. Either way.

[sigstroker]

i haven't seen any lead free factory ammo for it yet, but since it is actually a .357 bullet, hand loading a Barnes or Lehigh should be possible, though i'm not set up to do that yet. i would probably chose the first for deer and the latter for hog.

looking forward to pics!

You can't shoot people in Cali with lead bullets?

[W.R.Buchanan]

You can't shoot people in Cali with lead bullets?

Yeah, the Condors might eat the bodies and get lead poisoning !

Randy.

[geekeye]

lol. but two threads in one here. need lead free bullets for hunting, and need flashlight / laser / low power optics suggestions for home defense.

[1859sharps]

I know most people wouldn't choose a bolt action for this application...

I have recently returned to the question of can a bolt rifle, particularly can a scout rifle or scout like rifle make a viable self defense gun. I suspect the answer is yes. But I am reaching the point I want to move from "theory" to gathering evidence.

The thing to remember, while it might not seem like it to some given the current state of the country, we are still living in a very peaceful society. this means you are NOT likely to be facing a hoard of attackers. and even if you find your self facing even a small mob...what will be your justification for shooting into a likely unarmed or mostly unarmed mob? so high magazine capacity isn't an issue here, nor is rapid fire etc.

The likely scenario is not any different than the vast majority of self defense handgun shooting scenarios. one or two bad guys on average faced by a single prepared good guy. in which case IF you train and develop sound practices, KNOW you rifle, practice with your rifle, I suspect a bolt rifle will actually work well.

you will need to think about the cartridge your rifle is chambered for. you want to choose something that won't pass through the attacker and then other common materials found in typical living quarters.

this should be an interesting discussion.

[TomReloaded]

I have a 350 legend for HD. Subsonic ammo has WAY less noise and blast than normal centerfire rifle cartridges. 223 is ridiculous indoors. Still delivers performance like a 357mag revolver, so more than plenty.

Other than that, bolt guns are pretty bad if you're actually in a gun fight and need to fire it. Most shots in a defensive shooting scenario are misses. People dont stand still while you shoot them square in the chest. My 350 legend is an AR, but I still think the round is fantastic as far as rounds go.

[elSquid]

I have recently returned to the question of can a bolt rifle, particularly can a scout rifle or scout like rifle make a viable self defense gun. I suspect the answer is yes.

"It depends", I reckon.

Complicating issue is: decent pump shotguns can be had for $200-$500.

If money is a problem, a Maverick 88 can be sourced ( in less crazy times, granted ) for $200. At typical short HD ranges what advantage, if any, does the bolt gun have over a pump shotgun? The shotgun will be much faster to manipulate.

Of course, if we're talking 'bout Lee-Enfields specifically...





-- Michael

[geekeye]

these Ruger's have a 16.5" barrel, so pretty maneuverable. an 18" or 20" shotgun is a classic choice, but good luck trying to find one these days. i've been looking for weeks and haven't seen anything smaller than 24" that will also ship here.

[elSquid]

an 18" or 20" shotgun is a classic choice, but good luck trying to find one these days.

Yup, it's a madhouse out there.

-- Michael

[1859sharps]

"It depends", I reckon.

Complicating issue is: decent pump shotguns can be had for $200-$500.

If money is a problem, a Maverick 88 can be sourced ( in less crazy times, granted ) for $200.

cost isn't a factor to consider when asking if a bolt rifle is viable choice for home defense. either it is or it's not. cost doesn't change that.

At typical short HD ranges what advantage, if any, does the bolt gun have over a pump shotgun? The shotgun will be much faster to manipulate.

It maybe faster to reload from the magazine, but I am not so sure it is that much faster or even matter as I am thinking my way through this.

So in my thinking at the moment, at a high level, a 223 bolt rifle has a lot of the same pluses for HD over a shotgun that a AR does. low recoil, short barrel, a round that doesn't penetrate walls easy, lots of 223 bolt rifles can have a 10 round magazine so you have more ready to go ammo than a shotgun.

223 bolt rifle, with 16 inch barrel, red dot sight, smooth bolt, 10 round magazine...that has a lot going for. light, low recoil, short, capacity, more places and opportunities to practice with it, etc, etc. lots of reasons to choose it over a shotgun.

remember goal of shooting is hitting. shoot fast can also mean missing fast. most don't shoot enough to be as proficient rapid fire with a semi auto they would like to claim. last few times I was at the range, average AR shooter's target looked more like a shotgun target than a rifle target.

Technically the bolt rifle is obsolete. BUT it is still effective, it didn't suddenly stop functioning just because semi autos came into being 100+ years ago. And given we are discussing the typical, real world self defense situation, it might offer more than the post baby boomer world thinks, having only grown up around AR and similar rifles.

[elSquid]

cost isn't a factor to consider when asking if a bolt rifle is viable choice for home defense. either it is or it's not. cost doesn't change that.

Cost is part of the question: "why the heck don't you just buy a decent pump shotgun, they are pretty cheap." ( Unless you are buying your first guns in 2020! )

So in my thinking at the moment, at a high level, a 223 bolt rifle has a lot of the same pluses for HD over a shotgun that a AR does. low recoil,

Pick a 12 with reduced loads, or a 20, or a 410...

a round that doesn't penetrate walls easy

Pick an appropriate shot size...

lots of 223 bolt rifles can have a 10 round magazine so you have more ready to go ammo than a shotgun.

OTOH, it's easy to top off a shotgun tube, and anyway what kind of scenarios are you going to need 10 rounds of 12 gauge...?

223 bolt rifle, with 16 inch barrel, red dot sight, smooth bolt, 10 round magazine...that has a lot going for. light, low recoil, short, capacity, more places and opportunities to practice with it, etc, etc. lots of reasons to choose it over a shotgun.

The guy with a shotgun has much more opportunity to practice against moving targets...

remember goal of shooting is hitting. shoot fast can also mean missing fast. most don't shoot enough to be as proficient rapid fire with a semi auto they would like to claim.

Manipulating a bolt means that ( generally! ) a hand has to come off or not be on the rifle. Pressing the trigger? Either you need to get good with using your middle finger or your hand needs to come back on the rifle.

Shotgun? Running a pump shotgun is much easier and fumble proof. Hands don't need to move about the gun in a normal firing sequence.

As a general purpose firearm a bolt rifle is superior. Inside a home or at close ranges I'd much rather have a pump shotgun.

You can "make do" with a .223 bolt for HD, but why?

If you are limited to owning one gun, fine I guess. I'd rather have a 12 gauge pump and a 308 bolt. Then use the appropriate tool for the job.[1]

< shrug >

-- Michael

[1] Waiting for MLC members to jump in.

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