![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPIXBRWBNs3WLceh5IGjfdf5mRucdhVDvMF4S_nPjmGOAFVtssW42W-DMuD_Inu4yQr3JXSGAPTIoOv-qV_ea7FApBlluTa1WSsAZtXVDmD_VMN8QedS_dSjv9w8sUHTUX3D1bLamene0/s400/Coljeffcooper.jpg)
I am a fan of the Scout Rifle concept as designed by Colonel Cooper.
Deacon Matson adds first-hand experience to the mix, here.
If a Patriot were relegated to only one longarm, it is hard to beat the Scout Rifle.
It is compact, especially with a 16"-20" barrel and folding stock. The bolt action is legendary for being robust and reliable. And whether put into action in an urban environment, the 'burbs, or more open country, a Scout Rifle chambered for the battle-proven .308 is hard to beat.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcGYqOTOlXTwsNHXwPJB_3-XAwQ876qo1KBZaxu_S17bbGIcbteHuAfTqNKcRu2NuAZdgQW-L4LAlgwnUrU2PpVEu1asNaO3wUs6ENGVuSAuEu7cyYBqQrBmYmssimDOJDTwVGAfOOcD4/s400/Ruger_Scout_Rifle.jpg)
Here are three variations. Ruger weighs-in (above) as the budget champion, though I wish it had a pistol grip and folding stock. But all things considered, a Patriot could do far, far worse if he had to select a single rifle for battle.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPQt6TanWSGt3N14ZHPIom60V6GtGd_nKRlOuWjf2bgQ5ppDpj0DqlJnVvRG7vp6zUtqEd8YdDOEuvqH4A3a9UinWK5gZDideWh6pV_QlAxA3Gfhfdc75h5YeX9R0dIQmpvmryZPjyS9M/s400/Steyr_SSG08.jpg)
I am very fond of the Steyr SSG 08, as I have written before. And the armorers at Steyr will fit the SSG 08 with a 16" barrel for the ultimate in compact profile. But at nearly $6 grand, it ain't cheap.
A new entrant is the FNH Ballista. Sweet.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUaKAIH-YMLnn6r00Fx4nHCH7r0lxZisajfMZZvDKNAxNnKY4kTLjDX3AZMWjDTSEZxsuy4_POFIHzk1Ac8pPTSN0tYze8C1eP44aRSJoqf6MrNS073tVGgz0srFzefG0VJxjFhTpwZ9g/s400/FNH_Ballista.png)
Choose the arms you will rely upon to travel with you through Restoration with great consideration. You may not have access to spare parts. You may have to resupply ammo from the enemy, and .308 is plentiful. There are times you'll need a scope, and others when you'll need the speed of iron sights. The Scout Rifle is a brilliant concept.
Use the same careful consideration when choosing your sidearms, your battle blades, your packs, your fire starters (you never know when you may need to burn something to the ground) and every other facet of the gear upon which your life will depend.
And remember the true reason for arms:
“The rifle itself has no moral stature, since it has no will of its own. Naturally, it may be used by evil men for evil purposes, but there are more good men than evil, and while the latter cannot be persuaded to the path of righteousness by propaganda, they can certainly be corrected by good men with rifles.” ― Jeff Cooper, Art of the Rifle
Kerodin
III
You can trick out a Saiga .308 for about the same coin as the Gunsite Scout and have the best of both worlds.
ReplyDeleteThe Savage Scout is more true to Colonel Cooper's concept than many of the more 'modern' offerings...
ReplyDeleteIt boils down to one fact: Whichever rifle a man chooses, it behooves him to know its strengths, weaknesses, capabilities, and limitations...and have enough time shooting it so that when it counts, actions are instinctive.
My .02
Trainer....in my mind you are 100% correct. However, having a .458 Win Mag as a battle rifle may cause one logistics problems. But all -in-all you are correct about being proficient whatever one chooses as a weapon.
DeleteDAN III
Pennsylvania
How about a Marlin Guide Gun? :D
ReplyDeletehttp://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff316/Edward-Teach/GGScope01.jpg
Springfield M1A in .308 not get a nod ?
ReplyDeleteLevers & Semi's are fine, and depending on circumstances perhaps preferable. But the concept of the Scout Rifle is the Jack-of-all-trades and the ultimate in reliability.
ReplyDeleteIf a Patriot could have only one longarm for the coming few years, I'd suggest the Scout concept.
K