On The Vernacular
The terminology used by the so-called 'gun culture' has always been colorful, but it is true that we are sometimes led astray by our own missteps.
Take, for example, the term Scout Rifle.
IMO, there is only one of them, and it isn't a Ruger, it isn't a Savage, and it sure as shinola isn't a Marlin, even if it does have a forward-mounted scope on it.
The originator of the term, the late Jeff Cooper, would have agreed with me: Those are pseudo-scouts (at best).
But I don't lose much sleep over it; it's just a fact of life that language evolves, and nowadays it's changing more rapidly than ever, thanks of course to the Internet.
This makes it somewhat harder to keep up, but one does the best he can.
(SPG Edit)
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![[image]](http://www.sixshootercommunity.com/share/awkward.gif)
go put a clip of bullets in an automatic...
by Rob Leahy 
, Prescott, Arizona, Sunday, March 17, 2013, 11:10 (4214 days ago) @ FOG
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Of the Troops & For the Troops
A true 'Scout Rifle' is a bolt-action
But I have to admit, the one I had did come with two clips.
Good thing they weren't hi-caps, I guess.
![[image]](http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-laughing006.gif)
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On a related note, I usually left the spare mag alone
I'd just top off the one under the bolt as needed.
This is just one of the many advantages of detachables: IMO, it's much easier to do this than it is with most blind-magazine rifles.
Of course, a lot depends on the design of the box itself, plus the means of releasing it. On some rifles, they're both simply hopeless, but of course those examples hardly count.
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Umm...that is possible...
by rob , Monday, March 18, 2013, 18:51 (4213 days ago) @ Rob Leahy
Depending on the rifle...as in loading a semi-auto's magazine with a clip (as in stripper clip) or loading a clip into a Garand. Just sayin'
Indeed it is, Grasshopper
Ancient Ninja Proverb say, 'Every thing possible, Infinity.' ![[image]](http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-char013.gif)
∞
![[image]](http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-char044.gif)
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Not quite . . .
. . . since Rob said "automatic" and not "semi-automatic".
And yeah, "cartridges" not "bullets".
Vernacular will get'cha every time . . . as will splitting hairs.
Ah, so sorry...
Other Ancient Ninja Proverb say, 'What go round, come round.' ![[image]](http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-char076.gif)
![[image]](http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-char128.gif)
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Now THAT...
by rob , Tuesday, March 19, 2013, 21:33 (4212 days ago) @ FOG
is funny!
On The Vernacular
by Slow Hand , Indiana, Sunday, March 17, 2013, 12:44 (4214 days ago) @ FOG
I've always like the scout rifle concept, just too cheap to buy one! I have built a couple pseudo scouts over the years, just can't seem to hold into them!
First was an ishapore Enfield. Cut it down, XS scout rail with a flip up sight inlet into it, Alumahyded the metal and textured the wood. The cheek riser is part of the original fore end and was hinged to cover up spare ammo storage.
![[image]](http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h24/Slow_Hand23/Gunsmithing/Image008-1.jpg)
![[image]](http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h24/Slow_Hand23/Gunsmithing/Image004.jpg)
Later on was a '98 Mauser that had been rebarreled to .308. Had a great trigger on it. I coated the metal and painted the stock. Put the forward rail on it (it was a B-Square Colt revolver mount!). It shot very well but I got the Ith to build a .300 blackout boltgun so it got sold.
![[image]](http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h24/Slow_Hand23/For%20Sale/GunPics003-17.jpg)
![[image]](http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h24/Slow_Hand23/For%20Sale/GunPics007-10.jpg)
Those two look fine to me
I'd probably skip the flash hider, but I understand the attraction.
Totally. 
Otherwise, I should probably add that I didn't just run right out and buy mine; I charged it, then paid it off ASAP, but only as finances allowed.
I was totally 'sold' on the Scout Rifle concept from reading my Cooper, and I was all over it when he started talking about it online in his Commentaries.
Almost as soon as they hit the US market, I got one.
Looking back, I think it's true: If you're only going to have one rifle (other than a .22), then it's pretty hard to beat a Scout, pseudo or otherwise.
(SPG Edit)
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Do you still have it?
by rob , Monday, March 18, 2013, 19:09 (4213 days ago) @ FOG
I assume you bought the original Styer Scout? I always thought they were the ugliest, dumpiest looking rifles I'd ever seen until Scott Tschirhart bought one and I saw it in person. TOTALLY changed my perspective. You just have to get one in your hands to really appreciate it. He's really into the Ruger Gunsight Scout rifle right now and I have to admit I like that version's price a lot better! Other than .22's I've whittled my rifle collection down to a bolt action 30-06, AR15 and Marlin Guide Gun and its probably gonna just stay that way but if I had it all to do over again I'd go with some version of a Scout concept (bolt action 308 w/ 16-18" barrel, XS sights/rail and a LER low power optic in QD rings) instead of the Guide gun and '06. I think I'd still want the AR...I like them and with the telescoping butt stock and low recoil they're great for women and children.
It's handguns only now
A few years ago, I found I could literally no longer hold onto them during live fire, so I sold my rifle (Steyr Scout) and shotgun (Benelli M1 Super 90 w/ghost ring and standard stock).
I also sold my AR, a blue-label Colt Lightweight Sporter, but you could hardly call that a rifle. It was also a PITA to clean, which besides needing the money toward the purchase of my automobile was one of the main reasons I sold it. The other was that loading mags for it had become pretty painful, too, so it just wasn't fun anymore.
On the Steyr, a lot of people who saw mine were similarly impressed by its real-life appearance versus the images they had seen. For whatever reason, it is not a very photogenic little rifle.
Other than that, I think it's pretty close to perfect. Cooper gave it somewhere around 88% on the 'Scout Scale', but I frankly think it deserves an 'A' grade.
Mine was boringly accurate and about as much trouble to carry as a good walking stick, just a lot more powerful; I felt it was a beauty in its own right.
I admit I thought about getting one in .223, but that just wouldn't do; I'm pretty sure the late Colonel would have none of it.
Actually, I always wished they made one in .22 Long Rifle; THAT I would still have to have.
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If I had it to do over
I would still get a Steyr, but I would not get the 'Cooper package'.
The factory scope rings are fine if you can ever get the scope 'square', but the heads of the bolts clamping it are on the bottom of the rings.
This makes for a very compact but unhandy design.
When the factory-supplied Leupold on mine 'died', I got another one because they had upgraded that model from VX-II to -III (better coatings), and I put the new scope in aftermarket rings (at the moment, I don't recall which brand, but they were good ones).
I believe I'd go that route again, if I ever got another one.
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