Guns 2011-11.pdf - Jeffersonian

Cooper’s ConceptSome of the most intriguing “concept”guns to ever come down the pikeare the Jeff Cooper inspired “Scout”models. No less intriguing was Cooperhimself. He was bigger than life. A combatvet, avid hunter, scholar, a brilliant andpithy writer; he dissected the proper use ofweapons and developed tactical doctrinesand training routines that live on to this dayat his old firearm training facility, Gunsitein Paulden, Arizona.Cooper was known for his unwaveringadvocacy of two models of firearms: theUS Model 1911 pistol and the “Scout”rifle. If he could have, he would haveinvented the Model 1911. He did developthe “Scout” concept rifle. It has provedto be an intriguing design, spawning thecurrent commercial models by Steyr,Tikka and Savage; an endless catalog of“dresser” accessories for do-it-yourselfersand now a new model from Ruger, which,during their product development phase,enlisted the counsel of Cooper-era, Gunsiteinstructor, Ed Head.In 1983, Cooper sent me a veryintellectual and intriguing report on ameeting he hosted at the Gunsite TrainingCenter to discuss and define the qualitiesof a “general purpose rifle.” It’s importantto understand the definition of a “generalpurpose rifle” that flowed from that andsubsequent discussions because fromthat definition the Scout was born.As Cooper finally defined it, “a generalpurpose rifle is a conveniently portable,individually operated firearm, capable ofstriking a single decisive blow on a livetarget of up to 400 kilos in weight, at anydistance at which the operator can shootwith the precision necessary to place ashot in a vital area of the target.”The end result was to be a multipurposerifle capable of fulfilling thefunctions of a hunting, tactical andsurvival firearm.Noting “all modern cartridges will dovery well if they are shot well,” the designgroup’s focus became the launchingplatform itself rather than the caliber.The ideal characteristics of the Scoutrifle emerged as several prototypeswere built and tested in the field. Thefollowing is more or less a listing ofGUNSITE SCOUT RIFLEMAKER: Sturm, Ruger & Co.411 Sunapee St., Newport, NH 03773www.gunsmagazine.com/rugerACTION:Bolt actionCALIBER:.308 WinCAPACITY:5- and 10-rounddetachable magazinesBARREL LENGTH:16-1/2"BARREL TWIST:1:10"OVERALL LENGTH:39-1/2"WEIGHT:7 pounds, 9 ounces unloadedFINISH:Matte blackSIGHTS:Adjustable peep rear; blade front, 6"Picatinny railSTOCK:Black laminatePRICE:$995The current Model 77 actionscarry Ruger’s improved LC6 triggerwhich provides a lighter and crisperlet-off than earlier models, relativelyspeaking. On a Lyman electronicgauge the Scout LC6 triggerregistered an average weight-of-pullof 5 pounds, 7 ounces. That’s notas light as I think it should be in aprecision rifle, but it’s a crisp triggerwith just a hint of take-up beforebreaking; it’s manageable. WithRuger’s 3-position receiver-mountedsafety, it’s certainly a safe trigger, butI would be very tempted to replace itwith an aftermarket, fully adjustable,precision trigger to wring out thebest that Scout has to offer.The Model 77 action with itsintegral mounts for the factorysupplied rings and peep sight,48WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER 2011