Hunting big game with a rifle is generally supposed to be a one shot, one kill endeavor. It may involve some trekking over hill and dale to get to a preferred hunting spot or to go to where the game actually are. So some key characteristics for a big-game hunting rifle likely include accuracy over, say, ammunition capacity, and light weight. Accuracy is critical, of course, but speed of reloading, not so much. It’s possible a hunting rifle might be needed for other shooting duties as well, so versatility may be important. These characteristics are part of what is known as a Scout Rifle, which your customers may be keenly interested in when they learn of its background and potential for use in hunting and other shooting needs.

The Scout Rifle — generally, an all-purpose rifle — is the brainchild of Jeff Cooper, founder of Gunsite Academy in Paulden, Arizona, considered one of the best resources for law-enforcement and civilian firearms training in the nation. Cooper (1920 - 2006) is a legend in the firearms industry. The Marine veteran and firearms instructor/writer is known for his extensive firearms knowledge and the Cooper Color Code, a means of defining one’s awareness of potential threats that is still used today. 

Naturally, Cooper had plenty of informed opinions on the need for training, what firearms were best for certain scenarios, and so on. And for an all-purpose rifle — one suitable for hunting, survival, or some military-style operations — he developed a list of specific criteria for this type of firearm. 

According to Richard Mann, West Virginia-based author of The Scout Rifle Study and shooting editor for Field & Stream, Cooper’s preferred specs including the following:

• Weight of less than 3.5 kilos (7 pounds, 11.45 ounces) but ideally less than 3 kilos (6 pounds, 9.82 ounces) with the optical sight and sling attached.
• A maximum length of one meter (39.4 inches).
• Chambered for the .308 Winchester, with allowances for the 7mm-08 Remington where the .308 Winchester could not be legally owned, and for the .243 Winchester for those who are recoil-sensitive.
• A short-action with a 19-inch barrel.
• Axillary iron ghost-ring sights.
• A fixed, low-power scope mounted as low over the bore as possible.

The term ‘scout’ simply denoted the rifle was meant to be used by a person who was acting alone, whose mission would be marked by the ability to move quickly and get off a single shot accurately.

In his writing about the Cooper Scout Rifle, Mann adds, “Two very important defining but somewhat ambiguous characteristics are missing from this definition. Cooper felt his Scout Rifle should be friendly, meaning it was easy to carry, fast to get on target, and well configured to allow for excellent marksmanship from field shooting positions. He also felt that it should fill the need of a general-purpose rifle, meaning that it could effectively perform general-purpose rifle tasks anywhere in the world. In other words, while it might not be perfect for any single task, it could passably perform all tasks. It was not to be a specialized rifle but one that was very generalized.” 

Hunting Retailer recently connected with Mann for a brief Q&A in order to get a better understanding of the Scout Rifle concept and what’s available today:

HR: There seem to be a few modern Scout Rifles available today (Savage, Ruger, Mossberg, etc.). How are these modern versions doing at fulfilling the mission of a Scout Rifle? How have Scout Rifles evolved over time?

Mann: All of these rifles are Scout Rifles in spirit but fall short of Cooper’s definition. The Scout Rifle as Jeff Cooper defined it has not evolved — what has evolved is what people think a Scout Rifle should be.

HR: What types of hunting is a Scout Rifle ideal for? And what optics would match up well with a Scout Rifle?

Mann: They are suitable for any non-dangerous big-game hunting. If you are talking a true Scout Rifle, it needs a true Scout scope with between 10 and 14 inches of eye relief.

HR: Several years ago, you wrote a book titled The Scout Rifle Study. If you were to write an update, addendum, or a book two, what would some of the new chapters or topics be? 

Mann: I would address how folks want to make their own definition of a Scout Rifle as opposed to honoring Cooper’s. There are some very useful general-purpose rifles that can be put together or that are offered — like the Ruger Scout Rifle — but they are not Scout Rifles [according to Cooper’s definition]. In fact, few have ever handled, shot, or hunted with a true Scout Rifle as defined by Cooper because so very few exist. Of what is available, the Steyr is clearly the best option, but it too falls short of Cooper’s definition.

HR: If a Scout Rifle can serve several purposes — military/tactical, survival, hunting, etc. — what should a hunter know in advance and what type of training should he or she seek to maximize their use of a Scout Rifle? 

Mann: They should learn how to shoot — really shoot — from field positions and stop trying to turn the concept of the Scout Rifle into something it is not, like a long-range rifle.

HR: Would you change any of Col. Cooper's parameters for what constitutes a Scout Rifle? If so, what? 

Mann: No; that’s what everyone wants to do. Take his concept for what it is, or develop a rifle that suits you — just don’t call it a Scout Rifle.

With that background, here are three examples of what’s on the market in the category of Scout Rifle. These are all chambered in .308, although they may come in other calibers as well.

Savage Model 110 Scout

The Savage Model 110 Scout weighs 7.72 pounds and features a 16.5-inch carbon steel barrel and receiver. The overall length measures 38.5 inches. The Model 110’s detachable box magazine carries 10 rounds, and the length of pull is 12.75 to 13.75 inches. Key features to keep in mind include the AccuStock rail system; user-adjustable AccuTrigger; and the durable, flat dark-earth synthetic stock. A muzzle brake, padded buttstock and adjustable cheek piece add some comfort to the whole shooting experience. The iron sights function well on their own, but in true Scout Rifle form, the included accessory rail should be outfitted with an optic. 

Ruger Scout Rifle

The Ruger Scout Rifle weighs in at 7.3 pounds and features an 18.7-inch stainless steel barrel and matte stainless finish. The overall length measures 39.5 to 41 inches. Ruger’s Scout Rifle’s magazine carries 10 rounds, and the length of pull is 12.75 to 14.25 inches. Ruger’s website notes the non-rotating, Mauser-type controlled round feed extractor as “among the most positive case extraction systems ever invented.” An adjustable rubber buttpad and spacers allow shooters of various sizes to tweak the fit as needed.

Mossberg MVP Scout

Mossberg’ s MVP Scout weighs 8.25 pounds, the heaviest of these three, and features a matte blue 16.25-inch barrel, the shortest of the four rifles in this article. Overall length measures 37.5 inches, again the shortest of the four. MVP includes a 10-round Magpul ® PMAG ® and AR-magazine compatibility. The length of pull is 13.75 inches. The Mossberg MVP lineup includes Scout and Patrol models. One Scout option includes a Vortex 2-7x32mm Crossfire II optic with extended eye relief and Vortex rings. MVP Scout’s trigger is adjustable from 3-7 pounds, and the threaded barrel includes an A2-style muzzle brake.

Steyr Scout II Steyr partnered directly with Cooper in the ’90s to develop the company’s Scout Rifle, and that model has since been upgraded with the Steyr Scout II. It clocks in at 6.6 pounds without the detachable synthetic magazine, the lightest of the four rifles covered here, and the overall length is 38.6 inches without the optional spacer, with a 19-inch barrel. The housing and bedding block are milled from one piece of aluminum, and Steyr says it comes with a two-stage trigger or forward set trigger. Interestingly, there’s space for a spare magazine in the buttstock.