Jeff Cooper has left a his legacy on the gun industry. Most notably, he invented the modern handgun shooting technique. Another lasting impact is Cooper’s creation of the Scout Rifle concept. The Scout Rifle was outlined in the early 1980’s. This begs the question if the criteria for the rifle are still relevant today.
Definition of a Scout Rifle
Before we can examine the suitability of a Scout Rifle we need to define it. Cooper laid out a series of criteria for what makes up a scout rifle. They are as follows:
- Chambered in 308 Winchester or 7mm-08
- A bolt action or semi-automatic
- A forward mounted fixed power scope
- A synthetic stock
- A short, crisp, trigger
- Back up iron ghost sights
- Weighs less than 6.6lbs
- Shorter than 39 inches
- A magazine cut-off
- A sling to be used as a shooting aid
- At least 2 MOA accuracy
- A preference for controlled round feed
The idea is to create a light, handy rifle useful for hunting reasonable sized game as well as defensive purposes in a pinch. The concept of a single general purpose do-all rifle is an interesting, albeit unrealistic for most gun enthusiasts.
Cartridge
The first criteria in order to be a scout rifle was for it to be chambered in 308 Winchester or 7mm-08. These cartridges were selected because they provided enough horse power to drop common game animals like deer and black bear in a short action cartridge. However, in 2022 there are some more practical cartridges that accomplish the same task with less wind drift, recoil, and more energy on target at extended ranges.
In my opinion, the best chambering for a modern scouting rifle is the 6.5 Creedmoor. With an appropriate bullet it can kill almost anything in North America in a pinch. While clearly not ideal for moose, it can get the job done at modest ranges with careful shot placement. Furthermore, the decrease in recoil will make the rifle more effective in a defensive role, allowing for faster follow-up shots.
Action Choice
While semi-automatics have improved a lot since 1982, the bolt-action still is the best choice for a scout rifle. This is due to the need to meet the weight constraints while still maintaining a decent degree of accuracy. While it is likely possible to do so with a semi-automatic, it will be much easier and more affordable with a bolt action. Furthermore, most modern bolt actions will meat the accuracy requirement of 2 MOA without much difficulty. Also, typically bolt actions have better triggers than semi-automatics.
Optic
The optic is perhaps the most outdated aspect of a scout rifle. Originally, the scout rifle concept has a low power optic with long eye relief. Cooper selected these scopes because they maintained the peripheral vision of the shooter.
However, because of advancements in optics quality this is no longer neccesary. Low-power variable scopes are commonplace and allow shooters to easily shoot at 1x with both eyes open on a traditionally mounted scope. These variable scopes retain the ability to make precise shots further than possible with a scout scope. Options like a Vortex Strike Eagle allow for magnification ranges from 1-8 power, which is more than adequate for shots out to 400 yards or so.
Additionally, scope quality has improved drastically over the past 40 years. The increased durability of modern scopes renders the requirement for iron sights obsolete. The advantages gained in cheek weld from mounting an optic close to the bore far outweigh the likelihood of a quality modern scope failing while in the field. Adding iron sights complicates the sighting system and is not a requirement on a modern scout rifle.
Magazine Cut-off
One stipulation of the scout rifle that was unneccesary from its inception is the magazine cut-off. It is hardly faster than reloading a magazine and adds weight and complication to the action. Even by the Second World War militaries had realized that these cut-offs were useless. As such it has no place on a scout rifle, despite what Cooper may say. I am clearly not alone in this opinion, as none of the companies that have commercially produced scout concept rifles have included a magazine cut-off in their offerings.
Instead, simply top off the magazine through the top of the action as one would with most fixed magazine bolt actions. This is just as fast as single loading and allows one to keep a magazine in reserve if they so choose. By using the rifle this way, the weight and complexity of a cut-off is avoided with no drawbacks.
Stock
Unlike some of his other recommendations, Cooper’s prescription of a synthetic stock has aged like a fine wine. The advancements in polymers and other synthetics makes it an even better choice now than it was in the 80’s. Fiberglass and carbon fiber offer rigid, lightweight stocks that are impervious to environmental fluctuations. A lightweight fiberglass stock makes it much easier to make the weight requirements for a scout rifle.
Weight and Length
Many people associate the forward mounted scope with the scout rifle concept. However, the size and weight restraints placed on the rifle have a bigger impact on the handling and usefulness of the rifle. The weight limit and the length restrictions create a rifle very similar to the legendary Winchester 94. A short barrel around 19 inches is required to meet the length requirement. In order to stay under 6.6 lbs with a scope, the base rifle must be mountain rifle light, in the neighbourhood of 5.4lbs or less.
Closing Thoughts
In closing, the principles of the scout rifle lead us to a very different rifle than they did back in 1982. Today I propose the following set up as a modern scout rifle. For a controlled round feed bolt action light enough for our purposes a Kimber Hunter in 6.5 Creedmoor with a barrel cut down to 19 inches. This would put us at 5.4 pounds, leaving 1.2 lbs for an optic. A Vortex Strike Eagle 1-8×24 and some Talley rings would bring us under the weight limit with a couple ounces to spare.
While changes in technology change what a scout rifle looks like today, the concept of the rifle stays the same. The allure of a general purpose do-all rifle appeals to many, although most of us will end up with far more than just one. Perhaps a modern scout rifle is just the thing to scratch the itch for your next rifle.