January 20, 2014
By G&A Online Editors
Ruger continues to expand its Gunsite Scout Rifle (GSR) lineup with a new composite stock version. Inspired by Jeff Cooper's original Scout Rifle concept and chambered in .308 Win, this working man's rifle was designed with practicality in mind.
Initially available in a right-handed configuration, the new weather-resistant black synthetic stock reduces the GSR's overall weight to 6.86 pounds (unloaded with the magazine). The synthetic stock also incorporates an aluminum bedding block in the front and an aluminum pillar in the rear, allowing for a sturdy fit and a free-floating barrel. As with all current models of the GSR, the new version offers a system for altering the rifle's length of pull. Using 1/2-inch spacers, shooters can adjust the length of pull from 12 3/4 inches to 14 1/4 inches to achieve the proper fit.
One major difference included on the composite rifle is a radial port muzzle brake, instead of the flash hider used on the 7.1-pound GSR with laminate wood stock. The muzzle brake is designed to mitigate the greater felt recoil due to reduced overall weight. Should the user decide to remove the installed muzzle brake, each rifle comes with a thread protector for the barrel's 5/8"-24 threads.
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Other than the different stock and muzzle device, the new synthetic version is virtually identical to the original GSR. Familiarities include the Ruger M77 controlled-round feed system, integral scope mounts, cold hammer-forged 16.1-inch barrel and Mini-14-style iron sights and magazine release. Another key similarity includes a 6-inch forward-mounted Picatinny rail for mounting scout scopes or other long-eye-relief optics.
Ruger's composite variant of the GSR is supplied with a 10-round Accurate Mag magazine, but additional 10-round, five-round and three-round glass-filled nylon magazines are also available.
The Ruger Gunsite Scout Rifle with black composite stock is available with either a matte black receiver/barrel finish or a stainless steel receiver/barrel finish for $1,039 or $1,099, respectively.
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Ruger's new synthetic-stocked GSR bears familiar Scout Rifle appearance to the original laminate wood version. We're hoping to see a similar stock configuration extended into the .223 Rem./5.56 NATO chambering.
The ruggedized black composite stock reduces weight by about 1/3 of a pound over the original version, making for a weather-resistant rifle that will survive adverse conditions.
As Ruger refers to it, the rifle comes "Gunsite Approved," with roll marks on the receiver.
A familiar M77 action combined with Mini-14-style sights make for an ultra-reliable field rifle.
New for the composite stock version is a radial port muzzle brake to compensate for the increased felt recoil due to reduce overall weight.
Supplied with the rifle is one 10-round magazine from Accurate Mag.
During initial testing, the composite stock GSR reduced recoil appropriately with the muzzle brake. The trigger, action and barrel were on par with the performance of previously-tested laminate wood-stock GSRs.
Ruger has certainly developed a working man's rifle with the composite stock GSR. This would make for a handy truck gun or an everyday ranch rifle.
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