Bolt action is Great Survival Gun too

I'm not a Jeff Cooper fan. Just because Chairman Jeff said it I don't bend over and spread 'em. He was a real jerk in person and the Savage Arms Scout (or what ever they call it) is cheaper, as accurate (possibly more so) and probably a better rifle. Plus you can change the barrels on a Savage easily. Just in case...

Reminder: A Bolt Action is a Great Survival Gun Option

A high quality bolt action carbine could be a good choice as an alternative to the AR. Check out the Ruger Scout Rifle.
Posted September 14, 2015 in Shooting, Survival by Dr. John with 32 Comments



It sounds like heresy to say it, but an AR- or AK-pattern rifle isn’t for every prepper or survivalist. Some people don’t have the time, resources, or inclination to get proper training on a modern military weapons platform. Maybe they’re not really gun people but they’d like a general-purpose rifle to keep around “just in case.” Or maybe they live somewhere that makes access to the AR or AK difficult.

The reaction in most prepper forums when someone like this shows up and asks for SHTF gun recommendations is for the hardcore crowd to not-so-kindly suggest that they just need to get “serious” about prepping to commit to acquiring and learning the AR or AK, or move to a state or country with better gun laws, and so on. But there is a spectrum of preparedness, and it’s perfectly okay to be someone who wants just a little extra insurance vs. someone who has gone all-out to build a doomsday bunker.

For the “I want something to keep around ‘just in case'” crowd, the bolt action rifle is a perfectly serviceable all-purpose firearm that can be successfully operated and maintained with a minimum of practice. The bolt action is easy to learn, and the weapon manipulation skills are easy to retain. A good bolt action works extremely well for hunting and can be pressed into service for self-defense, as well.

The classic bolt action rifle choice is probably the Remington 700 platform. It’s the Mossberg 500/590 or Remington 970 of the rifle world. We love the Remington 700, but if you’re looking for something that was designed from the ground up as a “if you could only have one gun” rifle, then the Ruger Gunsite Scout is a great option.

If you have not read anything by the late gun guru Jeff Cooper, the initiator of the Scout Rifle concept back in the 1980’s, then this is a chance to read up. Cooper founded the American Pistol Institute later to become the Gunsite Academy to train pistol shooting skills. Jeff was a huge proponent of the 1911 in .45ACP and how to defensively shoot it. He also conceived and designed the long defunct Bren Ten, 10mm pistol used by Sonny Crocket on Miami Vice. Cooper’s idea of the ideal defensive rifle has been basically embodied by the Ruger Scout Rifle.

The Ruger Gunsite Scout Rifle is a bolt rifle chambered for the .308 Winchester. It is magazine fed (3-5-10 rounds) and comes with a “Ghost Ring” open rear iron sight and a wing protected front sight. The barrel is fitted with a section of Picatinny rail to mount a forward long-eye relief type scope if desired in the true scout rifle design configuration.

The stock is an attractive silver-grey laminate with a sealed finish along with a good rubber butt pad. Sling studs are installed front and rear. It has a 16.5 inch barrel with flash suppressor. It is 39.5 inches in length and weighs 7 pounds empty. It is now offered in 5.56 as well.

Article originally found here: Reminder: A Bolt Action is a Great Survival Gun Option - AllOutdoor.com

 

Loud Lil' Ba*tard, 10 rd Mag, makes it a fun shooter, Never shot one, But I would not have a problem airing one out.

 

Just purchased my Savage scout .308 today. Not a true scout considering the qualifications but it was the best option within my price range. Come Monday I should have my bipod. Still debating how much I want to spend on a scope, or even if I need one. Your post just jumped at me, thought it deserved a reply.

 

As is a 12 gauge. Was just having this conversation with @Bear. There is no animal on earth that a 12 gauge slug will not kill. And you have all your other load options too.

 

I have actually removed the rear sight on a Ruger Scout, put a regular scope on, taken the scope back off, screw the Rear Sight back into place, and lay multiple killing shots on a deer ON THE WAY TO SIGHT BACK IN THE GUN!!! I had a loading issue with mine (literal first run production), and ended up trading it in on another gun, and a full set of kit for it. Would love to have one again. I'm chomping at the bit to handle a Savage one.

 

I like a bolt action. I have a bolt action 12ga, that is the best bird and rabbit gun I've ever used. With the poly choke, and a sling, it is longer range than most, and with slugs, has taken plenty of deer.
The only work I've ever had to do to it, was have the worn out extractors replaced. It is older than I am.

 

With real estate, they say location, location and did I say location?
With dangerous game, they say shot placement, shot placement and did I say shot placement?

 

The Savage 111 Scout. 7.8 lb (BUT IT'S NOT 7.7 LB! NOT A SCOUT!), 40.5" (NOT 39"! NOT A SCOUT!). $794.00 SMRP. BUT IT'S NOT A,,,, wait, $800?! Really? Super accurate? Much more accurate than the Ruger? Half price of the Ruger? I'LL BUY!

 

Here my non-scout I purchased yesterday. The only thing I have seen so far is the cheek rest at its lowest position is still a little tall for the peep sight for me. Going to see how well the peep sight (or me) can do today, and debate if I need a scope or not.

 

Sexy.

Personally, I like the idea of a "Scout Rifle", but I am not a one of those that think Cooper is a god (though he did have some nice ideas). The Scout concept in general is a good one, and I like it as a combat enhanced bolt gun. That Gunsight actually ruined me for carbines. I just haven't been able to look at a model that comes in a carbine, and say to myself that I want the full sized one anymore. Ha.

Is that an enlarged trigger guard?

 

Also, final two cents for a bit. If yo are going to scope it, Leupold or Aimpoint, or go home. Throw a red dot on it, or get the most expensive scout scope you can, because the cheap ones are junk.

 

Here is my LD machine

Left handed Rem 700 308Win 26 inch barrel waiting for excess cash to cut it to 24 and put a can on it I have the PG&T bottom metal to install but the AI mags @$80 a pop is a little much.

I am hopeing someone makes a AR-10 magazine bottom metal for it so I can use DMPS or Magpul

Glass is a Vortex Viper PST 6x24X50 FFP MIL DOT.

 

But, but .. what about a Safari grade bolt action in 375 H&H with Express Sights ??

 

I do have a 300 H&H MAG bolt gun

Old Remy with a B&L scope on it that you adjust the mounts not the retical.

Took my first deer with that.

Use to reload it 45 years ago, still have the dies and have been collecting ammo/brass new or reloaded but at a cost of $60-$75 for a box of 20, i dont pick up too much.

 

That might be considered a Scout Rifle in Alaska maybe Africa

 

I've been saving up for a 375H&H that will be my next firearm. No Xmas bonus this year to bump the savings over the purchase line so I'll keep squirrelling away until it happens.

 

Left to right
300 H&H Mag
308 Win
556/223

 

In that category, I am still looking hard over at those Marlin 1895 models.

 

Now to make up my mind. The FX-2 seems a bit truer to the scout concept, but I like the idea of a variable scope for deer at 300 yds. Both are in my price range, but I do have an issue/question with the eye relief. The VX, if mounted at close to 7" eye relief, puts it 2" over my receiver. From my research most seem to have a range like 7-13" , therefore I might be able to mount it at 9" with no problems (not over my receiver). It does not interfere with any discharge of the rounds at 7", should it be a concern? The Burris is a great option to getting out there, but a bit out of my price range. Might just have to save up.

Leupold VX-2 Scout Scope


Leupold FX-2 Scout Scope


Burris 2-7 x 32 Scout

 

I have never seen 300 H&H brass, Thanks' for posting!