Assessments
Nearly 25 years ago, Col. Cooper penned these words: “The gunmakers will eventually discover the Scout Rifle, but don’t hold your breath waiting.” Today those who couldn’t bear to take his advice, or who have spent innumerable dollars trying to build their own scouts, can breathe a collective sigh of relief. According to Gurney, sales of the new gun are doing quite well. “Response has been outstanding.” he said. “Demand is beyond capacity, and we are building as many as we can every day.”

The question of whether the scout rifle platform represents a legitimate solution for the rifleman can ultimately be answered only on an individual basis, as it depends as much on an honest assessment of the shooter’s requirements and capabilities as it does on the qualities or characteristics of the rifle itself. The same individual test must be applied in evaluating Ruger’s suggestion that the new Gunsite Scout Rifle is “[T]he one rifle to have if you could only have one.”

From even a cursory study of Cooper’s writings, though, it is likely he would have appreciated the new Ruger for exactly what it is—a well-executed, reasonably affordable scout rifle from a major U.S. factory gunmaker. More importantly it is likely that the Ruger Gunsite Scout Rifle will earn a place among scout rifle aficionados and converts alike who will realize they no longer have to settle for anything else.

Manufacturer: Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc.; (603) 865-2442; www.ruger.com  
Caliber: .308 Win.
Action Type: bolt-action, repeating center-fire rifle
Receiver: investment cast 4140 steel; matte black finish
Barrel: 161⁄2" hammer forged 4140 steel; muzzle threaded 5/8"x24 t.p.i.; matte black finish
Rifling: six-groove, 1:10" right-hand twist
Magazine: 10-round (included) and five-round (available), semi-staggered, tapered column, steel detachable box
Sights: wing-protected, fixed post front; fully adjustable, wing-
protected 0.90" aperture rear
Trigger: single-stage, 4-lb., 10-oz. pull
Stock: gray laminated wood with cut checkering, QD sling swivel studs; length of pull, 123⁄4" to 14¼"; drop at heel, 2"; drop at comb, 111⁄16"
Overall Length: 38" to 391⁄2"
Weight: 7 lbs.
Accessories: three buttstock spacers, receiver-mounting scope rings, Torx and Allen wrenches, owner’s manual
Suggested Retail Price: $995