Steyr Scout

Paladin1911

Paladin1911

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Anyone had any experience with the Steyr Scout in 308? I have a chance to get a good deal on one, but just not sure about it. I know its Coopers dream rifle.
 
I think @98mauser has good things to say about his. I remember him mentioning it once. Maybe he can chime in.

I have not read anything bad about them. If I was in the market for an all purpose 308 it would be on my list.
 
I enjoy mine and would never part with it. I have one in 308 (not my favorite caliber but it's fine) but would prefer one in 376 or 7mm-08. I enjoy my 376 but wish I had it in the scout. If you buy for what it is you will love it. It's a unique piece of engineering and quality. It balances exceptionally well and shoots sub moa with good loads. I try not get into all the arguments about the Steyr vs Ruger scout. I love Ruger (my front license plate is Ruger) and am obsessed with the great wheel Rugers and rifles. The Ruger scout is a wonderful rifle, as are other scout concepts. That being said......a Steyr scout is head and shoulders above when it comes to fit, finish, ergonomics and accuracy. It's not a simple design, especially for a push feed. Honestly, I don't really use mine because it's just a piece I enjoy the having. It will do it all but I'm OCD with it so I don't use it like I should. It would make the perfect hunting rifle for anything but long range. Scopes other than the straight 2.5x Leupold can be difficult to mount traditionally because of the rail design. You have to use high rings with a 40mm objective bell just to barely clear. I have a 3-9x40 compact Kahles that fits like a glove on it but any 40 or possibly thin 42mm objective will fit. The stock design is excellent, especially the adjustable LOP. It does tend to recoil a tad more than most rifles of similar weight and size due to the stock design. It's not a bench gun and there are plenty of quality rifles that will shoot with it no problem. Then again that's not it's purpose. Mine is VERY accurate and handy. Bolt and action are smooth in typical Steyr fashion but also very large. If I remember correctly it shares scope bases with an A-bolt so not hard to find mounts cheap.

Feel free to ask away with any questions. I would gladly buy more but in a 376 or 7mm-08 next time.-:). It is a superb rifle in every aspect.
 
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I had one back in CA, the "tactical elite" model with the heavy barrel in .308 with the 10 round adapter on it. Great shooting rifle, sub MOA with FGMM and my handloads. Put 2000+ rounds through it with no drama. It was heavy though, not true to the scout concept and wouldn't be nearly as handy in the field as the regular one. I never used it for anything but a bench rifle which is why I ultimately sold it and built up a Rem700 to replace it.

The built-in bipod was iffy at best, better than nothing for sure but nothing I would use if I had a choice. Trigger was adjustable and awesome and holding the extra 10 round mag in the stock was also cool. Never got the 3 point sling setup for it. Also didn't use the scout style scope, I had a regular optic on it.

Basically I took the concept and screwed it up in every way. What do you expect from a CA boy?

One cool trick was that the mag had 2 positions, all the way in where it would feed from it and one click out where it would not. You could put a full mag in to the first click and then hand feed rounds in one at a time and then when you wanted to start running from the mag just click it into the 2nd position and go. Pretty sure that's something lifted from old military rifles. It would also lock the bolt closed if you wanted. You could move the safety up just a touch and the bolt would unlock. I can see that being ultra useful in the field so snagging the bolt on things would not get the action to open.

An old insurance photo:
steyr_tactical.JPG
 
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I recently acquired a Steyr SBS Tactical, which uses the same bolt and magazine designs as the Scout. The design is really impressive, as is the overall quality of the rifle. I'm just getting started setting it up for myself, so I haven't fired it.

I would snatch up a Scout in a skinny minute if I stumbled upon a deal. Might get one anyway, once I see how the SBS Tactical performs.
 
It would have been nice if Steyr had used a threaded receiver instead of press fitting the barrel so you can't replace it.
The rest of the execution is beautiful.
 
Well I took it. After shooting it 20 rounds just not sure this is for me. It is accurate as it was hitting 3” bulls at 300 yds. It came with a Swarovski 3x10x42 scope with a 4A reticle. I don’t like the scope. Need another trip to range and a change of scopes to make up my mind. It is light and compact and I like the MUD color. Not real sure about the tripod and I did not try it. Could not suppress it as it take an adapter. Shot both Hornady 178 ELD-X PH and Nosler 165 BT. It shot both equally well with a slight edge to Hornady.
 
Paladin1911 said:
Well I took it. After shooting it 20 rounds just not sure this is for me. It is accurate as it was hitting 3” bulls at 300 yds. It came with a Swarovski 3x10x42 scope with a 4A reticle. I don’t like the scope. Need another trip to range and a change of scopes to make up my mind. It is light and compact and I like the MUD color. Not real sure about the tripod and I did not try it. Could not suppress it as it take an adapter. Shot both Hornady 178 ELD-X PH and Nosler 165 BT. It shot both equally well with a slight edge to Hornady.
Click to expand...

You know you are living a good life when the Swarovski scope isn't up to snuff. :D
 
I don’t like the reticle and low power. Scope is clear and crosshair is sharp. This would be great shooting out to 200 yds or woods hunting. This old man needs more magnification. LOL
 
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