Scout Rifle Stripper Clips

[AgentPickle]

Hi Guys, new to the forum. Hope its OK to share the video I made modifying my Ruger Scout to take 5 round stripper clips.

https://youtu.be/Kq5sWqjRiaI

[Canucky]

Welcome to the forum.

[SonofWWIIDI]

Nice.

[splithoof]

Interesting modification. As someone who has spent considerable time and expense with “Scout-ish” /Scout types of rifles, I’d like to see some actual timed comparisons between that mod and conventional magazine swaps.
You probably already know, but this site offers much discussion on the subject of scout rifle criteria, and scout rifle use in general.

http://www.scoutrifle.org/index.php

[1859sharps]

Scout rifles and experimentation for improvements go hand in hand. Always glad to see someone continuing to experiment.

Thoughts on the your mod. Off to a good start. To take it to the next level and improve efficiency.

1. You really need a guide that helps hold and stabilize the clip.
2. The magazine needs to be truly tuned/designed for use with clips.

As far as Scout rifle specification, the use of stripper clips is not a part of the criteria. So adding them is a personal preference questions.

If memory serves, Cooper was more keen on the detachable box magazine. Weight was calculated with the rifle unloaded. But I do not recall if that included the weight of a detachable box magazine. I think arguing over if it does or does not, particularly in the age of polymer magazines is getting off in the weeds.

As far as carrying extra ammunition, polymer is pretty light, and you have to factor in the mechanics of a stripper clip system vs a box mag. smooth, quick, and reliable reload could outweigh any weight savings a stripper clip might offer. There is also the protection of the cartridges, which does a better job while being carried?

Having said all that. Depending on how things go court case wise and legislation wise, what is old could be new again...meaning making rifles work with stripper clips could become a thing. you might have just found your self on the cutting edge...

[joefrank64k]

Scout rifles and experimentation for improvements go hand in hand. Always glad to see someone continuing to experiment.

Thoughts on the your mod. Off to a good start. To take it to the next level and improve efficiency.

1. You really need a guide that helps hold and stabilize the clip.
2. The magazine needs to be truly tuned/designed for use with clips.

As far as Scout rifle specification, the use of stripper clips is not a part of the criteria. So adding them is a personal preference questions.

If memory serves, Cooper was more keen on the detachable box magazine. Weight was calculated with the rifle unloaded. But I do not recall if that included the weight of a detachable box magazine. I think arguing over if it does or does not, particularly in the age of polymer magazines is getting off in the weeds.

As far as carrying extra ammunition, polymer is pretty light, and you have to factor in the mechanics of a stripper clip system vs a box mag. smooth, quick, and reliable reload could outweigh any weight savings a stripper clip might offer. There is also the protection of the cartridges, which does a better job while being carried?

Having said all that. Depending on how things go court case wise and legislation wise, what is old could be new again...meaning making rifles work with stripper clips could become a thing. you might have just found your self on the cutting edge...

That's interesting. I always thought that Cooper (if we go with his definition) specified a magazine-fed bolt action and detachable box mags or stripper clips were desirable (but not required)?

Of course, when talking what/what doesn't go into a scout rifle, things can get really wild, haha!!

Either way, I'm also glad to see experimentation!!

[JohnnyMtn]

[kendog4570]

That’s half of a clip slotting job. The easy half! Rem 40x relief at the back of the ring is a 7/16” radius. Don’t remember the depth off top of my head, but be mindful your cutting away the backside of the top locking lug. Less is more!

There needs to be enough material at the front of the bridge to cut a slot to guide the clips. Doesn’t appear to be enough on the Ruger action. The real craftsmanship and artwork are in the squaring of the slot, and cutting the side notches at the correct angle and profile to allow the empty clips to jump away while closing the bolt.

[smittty]

Looks too cumbersome to use without a stripper guide.

[W.R.Buchanan]

How about just using extra magazines that are much faster and easier to change than strippers. I have about 10 extra magazines, mostly the polymer ones which feed smoother than the steel ones.

All these magazines load from the front not over the top so your mod won't work with the Steel Mags as the feed lips won't bend out of the way so the cartridge can go in like the Poly ones do.. They have to go in from the front of the magazine.

A little more understanding of how the feed system of the Scout works might be in order?

Randy.

[1859sharps]

Of course, when talking what/what doesn't go into a scout rifle, things can get really wild, haha!!

Only because people read one article and think they know.

What makes a rifle a Scout Rifle is not as vague as people want to think. A lot of the core elements are pretty clear and not a lot of room for debate. Either your rifle meets them, or it doesn't.

There is also a lot of intentional misrepresentation that is confusing the discussions out there as well. For example, that Cooper claimed the Scout Rifle could be a valid modern infantry rifle. He actually never said that, nor intended that.

The best way to know what is or is not a Scout Rifle is to either read everything Cooper published related to the subject starting with the Gun Digest article in 1983 I believe it was forward until he died, in as close to chronological order of release as possible. Few people do this, very, very few.

A second way is to read Richard Mann's The Scout Rifle Study and he did that work for you and then some, and then wrote a "report" (book) on what he found. Richard is one of a very, very, very few truly trustworthy sources for explaining what Cooper was going for now that Cooper has passed.

Based on Cooper's own words of endorsement, if you want to see an example of what he was going for, just look at the Steyr Scout Rifle. That rifle is our new point of departure for those who want to advance the concept.

[1859sharps]

How about just using extra magazines that are much faster and easier to change than strippers. I have about 10 extra magazines, mostly the polymer ones which feed smoother than the steel ones.

While stripper clips are not a part of the criteria for what makes a rifle a Scout Rifle, there is a compelling argument to be made that detachable magazines can get lost in the field, that an ADL or BDL style magazine keeps a rifle in operation. With such a rifle, and a forward mounted scope, stripper clips start to make sense.

However, what if you do not have, cannot acquire, or cannot use a forward mounted scope?

Simply having a forward mounted scope does not make a rifle a Scout Rifle, nor does a traditional mounted scope suddenly "de scout" a Scout Rifle. As more manufactures drop the forward mounted scope from their product line, this is an important factor to keep in mind. This progressing development in the scope world may negate any value stripper clips provide.

Still, keeping the skill live for building a rifle that can use stripper clips is worthwhile effort. For all we know, some kind of red dot might replace the "traditional" forward mounted scope and that could make strippers practical again.

[splithoof]

Still, keeping the skill live for building a rifle that can use stripper clips is worthwhile effort. For all we know, some kind of red dot might replace the "traditional" forward mounted scope and that could make strippers practical again.

[AgentPickle]

http://www.scoutrifle.org/index.php

Thanks I will check that forum out!

[joefrank64k]

Only because people read one article and think they know.

What makes a rifle a Scout Rifle is not as vague as people want to think. A lot of the core elements are pretty clear and not a lot of room for debate. Either your rifle meets them, or it doesn't.

There is also a lot of intentional misrepresentation that is confusing the discussions out there as well. For example, that Cooper claimed the Scout Rifle could be a valid modern infantry rifle. He actually never said that, nor intended that.

The best way to know what is or is not a Scout Rifle is to either read everything Cooper published related to the subject starting with the Gun Digest article in 1983 I believe it was forward until he died, in as close to chronological order of release as possible. Few people do this, very, very few.

A second way is to read Richard Mann's The Scout Rifle Study and he did that work for you and then some, and then wrote a "report" (book) on what he found. Richard is one of a very, very, very few truly trustworthy sources for explaining what Cooper was going for now that Cooper has passed.

Based on Cooper's own words of endorsement, if you want to see an example of what he was going for, just look at the Steyr Scout Rifle. That rifle is our new point of departure for those who want to advance the concept.

Haha, that's exactly what I did.

Got a Steyr Scout in ODG, but went with 6.5 Creed, since I have - to borrow FeuerFrei's phrase - a 'troll's hoard' of that ammo.