scout rifle reccomendations

J R Green

J R Green

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I'm thinking about a rifle in .243, I want it to be lightweight with synthetic stock 16" barrel scope ready and accurate out to 300 yards or so.

Also I'm cheap. Does anything out there already fit the bill or would I have to build?

What have I left out?
 
not technically a "scout" rifle, but Savage makes very accurate rifles for the price. I'd check out their AXIS or Trophy series for a lightweight .243
 
I had a Ruger GSR. It was very nice. Decent trigger and shot well for hunting or SD. It was a little heavy. The forward mounting scope deal limits a lot of what you can do with it. Iguess it just depends on your needs and planned use. If I was really looking for a SHTF scout rifle I'd just get some form of AR in 308. If you just want a light, easy to carry bolt action I am not sure the scout concept is all that. I kinda like my little CZ carbines. For cheap grap one in 7.62x39, and buy a bunch of steel cased ammo. Then grab a some good domestic ammo for SD or hunting. Lots of choices. I have a Leupold VX 3 1.75-6x32 on mine that I think cost about $300. Decent for the ranges you are talking. I have a Redfield 2-7x33 that is about a $150 scope that works OK too for that distance.

You could get a Browning BLR in 243 and do a forward mount optic. Not synthetic either though.

Or you can grab a Ruger in synthetic stock for a few $$ or a Steyr for more $$. The .243 is the sticking point. You'll probably have to put that together or buy a custom rifle. I'd stick with 308 or something more available if it were me. No sense reinventing the wheel unless you have lots of time, money and 243 reloading supplies.

Lots of choices depending on your budget and specific preferences. And how much bubba home smithing you might want to do.
 
CZfool68 said:
I had a Ruger GSR. It was very nice. Decent trigger and shot well for hunting or SD. It was a little heavy. The forward mounting scope deal limits a lot of what you can do with it. Iguess it just depends on your needs and planned use. If I was really looking for a SHTF scout rifle I'd just get some form of AR in 308. If you just want a light, easy to carry bolt action I am not sure the scout concept is all that. I kinda like my little CZ carbines. For cheap grap one in 7.62x39, and buy a bunch of steel cased ammo. Then grab a some good domestic ammo for SD or hunting. Lots of choices. I have a Leupold VX 3 1.75-6x32 on mine that I think cost about $300. Decent for the ranges you are talking. I have a Redfield 2-7x33 that is about a $150 scope that works OK too for that distance.

You could get a Browning BLR in 243 and do a forward mount optic. Not synthetic either though.

Or you can grab a Ruger in synthetic stock for a few $$ or a Steyr for more $$. The .243 is the sticking point. You'll probably have to put that together or buy a custom rifle. I'd stick with 308 or something more available if it were me. No sense reinventing the wheel unless you have lots of time, money and 243 reloading supplies.

Lots of choices depending on your budget and specific preferences. And how much bubba home smithing you might want to do.
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I'm not married to the .243 I just don't like high recoil rifles. The 7.62 is intriguing though.
 
A little higher than your price range new but they can be found used.

Mossberg MVP Patrol 308.
 
CZfool68 said:
That ain't a bad plan for a cost effective option. I think they take Magpul mags too.
Click to expand...

I have the .223 version with Varmint stock/barrel and it is really accurate. I am pleased with it. And it does take AR pattern mags (caliber specific of course)
 
J R Green said:
I'm not married to the .243 I just don't like high recoil rifles. The 7.62 is intriguing though.
Click to expand...

My little 7.62x39 carbine has very little recoil. Not as versatile a cartridge as the 243, but if you want to kill hogs or deer to about 200-300 yards it will work. And with the CZ's if you can get them on a rest they have a sweet single set trigger. I think mine is about 15 oz in single set mode. It is about 4-5 lbs in normal mode. But that Mossberg idea has a lot of merit too.
 
CZfool68 said:
I had a Ruger GSR. It was very nice. Decent trigger and shot well for hunting or SD. It was a little heavy. The forward mounting scope deal limits a lot of what you can do with it. Iguess it just depends on your needs and planned use. If I was really looking for a SHTF scout rifle I'd just get some form of AR in 308. If you just want a light, easy to carry bolt action I am not sure the scout concept is all that. I kinda like my little CZ carbines. For cheap grap one in 7.62x39, and buy a bunch of steel cased ammo. Then grab a some good domestic ammo for SD or hunting. Lots of choices. I have a Leupold VX 3 1.75-6x32 on mine that I think cost about $300. Decent for the ranges you are talking. I have a Redfield 2-7x33 that is about a $150 scope that works OK too for that distance.

You could get a Browning BLR in 243 and do a forward mount optic. Not synthetic either though.

Or you can grab a Ruger in synthetic stock for a few $$ or a Steyr for more $$. The .243 is the sticking point. You'll probably have to put that together or buy a custom rifle. I'd stick with 308 or something more available if it were me. No sense reinventing the wheel unless you have lots of time, money and 243 reloading supplies.

Lots of choices depending on your budget and specific preferences. And how much bubba home smithing you might want to do.
Click to expand...
You make it sound like .243 is hard to come by. It is very affordable and I see it everywhere.

I second the savage Axis. You can find them fairly cheap with scope just about anywhere, and used ones are easy to find as well.
 
TSheaffer said:
You make it sound like .243 is hard to come by. It is very affordable and I see it everywhere.

I second the savage Axis. You can find them fairly cheap with scope just about anywhere, and used ones are easy to find as well.
Click to expand...

Not hard to come by, just no real advantage. Unless you are already set up for 243 to start. There are likely better choices for most things.
 
Ruger American. Mines a stainless, 18" barrel. My 308 version has surprised me with its accuracy. Most groups with any ammo under 1.5". Loves 168gr anything. Best of a 1/2" worst of .98" with me shooting. Just the other day I took my brother shooting, used cheap 150gr Perfecta soft points. He shot first. I shot the second group with no cooldown. .7" all rounds touching. No rear rest, off my bug out bag at 100yds. I exclusively do 5 shot groups btw. I'm super pleased with it, just setting up to reload .308

Its super light, easy to carry all day. Cheap too. The stock is kinda crappy though. I sprayed it with "textured" spray paint and it helps a lot with grip. Also hogged out the barrel channel a bit so it would free float. Couldn't be more happy.
 
IMG_2285.JPG J R,
Where are you located? You're welcome to come shoot my GSR. It's .308 and set up with a full length rail for standard scope mounting options.
I'm in the Raleigh/Brier Creek area
 
Traceround said:
View attachment 3565 J R,
Where are you located? You're welcome to come shoot my GSR. It's .308 and set up with a full length rail for standard scope mounting options.
I'm in the Raleigh/Brier Creek area
Click to expand...
Thanks but I'm a long way from you. I just made a deal on a Spanish FR8 that I may try to turn into a silk purse.

P.S., I love the turtles line, that argument always amused me
 
Traceround said:
View attachment 3565 J R,
Where are you located? You're welcome to come shoot my GSR. It's .308 and set up with a full length rail for standard scope mounting options.
I'm in the Raleigh/Brier Creek area
Click to expand...

What suppressor and mount is that?
I know some of the GSRs had issues with untrue shoulders which made mounts tricky.
 
NCMedic said:
What suppressor and mount is that?
I know some of the GSRs had issues with untrue shoulders which made mounts tricky.
Click to expand...
It's the silencerco spec war 7.62. That one was on loan from a friend so we could check alignment. Mine has been in NFA jail since July..
I'm still not 100% on wether I'll run this one supressed at all as the only reason I bought it was for elk hunting the thickets up in Washington.
 
Its got a bit more bite than .243 but it was fun building it.



 
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