The Ruger Gunsite Scout is a bolt-action, centrefire rifle produced by the American firearm manufacturer Sturm, Ruger & Company. This particular rifle was unveiled at the 2011 SHOT Show and is a variant of the M77 rifle which was developed in partnership with the Gunsite Training Centre.

The Ruger Gunsite Scout is a bolt-action, centrefire rifle produced by the American firearm manufacturer Sturm, Ruger & Company. This particular rifle was unveiled at the 2011 SHOT Show and is a variant of the M77 rifle which was developed in partnership with the Gunsite Training Centre.

Basic Specifications:

• Length – 37 to 39.5 inches
• Barrel Length – 16.1 to 18.7 inches
• Weight – 6.25 to 7.3 pounds
• Rate of Twist – 8 to 10 inches
• Magazine Capacity – 3, 5, and 10 rounds in a detachable box magazine

The newest version of the Ruger Model 77 is the Gunsite Scout Rifle introduced in 2011. It was developed with Gunsite Training Centre’s inputs so that it meets the standards of the modern scout rifle set by Jeff Cooper. Gunsite Training Centre is a renowned firearm training centre located in the city of Paulden, Arizona, which attests to the authority of founder Jeff Cooper when in comes to setting criteria for rifles.

The Ruger Gunsite Scout Rifle comes in these calibres, which are available in an alloy steel or stainless steel material:

• 5.56 NATO / 223 Rem
• 308 Win

The Gunsite Scout marries Ruger’s investment casting and the best of M77’s features, which includes a flat-sided and flat-bottomed receiver. It also has a forward angling front bedding screw that is secured to the internal recoil lug of the receiver.

There are also integral mounts for the Ruger rings included with the rifle, and a single piece of stainless steel handle and bolt. The Gunsite Scout also sports the Mauser-type claw extractor and a pivoting blade ejector, as well as the unique three-position safety which means users can operate the bolt for unloading without worrying about the gun going off during the process.

When it comes to the Gunsite Scout Rifle’s stock, it is made of black or grey laminated wood that comes fitted with sling studs on the front and rear. The stock also features checkering on the pistol and fore-end grips which aids in stabilising hold in any weather. The buttplate on the stock is made of hard polymer over-moulded with soft rubber to absorb recoil. It is secured with 2 screws and also holds 2 threaded brass inserts.

The Scout’s hammer-forged alloy steel barrel has a distinctive stepped profile and is mounted on a 6-inch long Picatinny rail via four screws. The iron sights consist of a rear aperture on a base with cast-in protective wings and secured with a single screw, which is fully adjustable. There is also a flash suppressor screwed to the barrel making it adaptable for use with a sound suppressor by approved civilians or law enforcement personnel.

When it comes to the Gunsite Scout’s magazines, users can’t go wrong with the glass-reinforced nylon polymer material it is made of. This makes the magazines very durable and resistant not only to the elements, but to most solvents and corrosion. It can be easily disassembled for cleaning and comes with a dust cover if storing for long periods of time.

Even with all these good things going for the Scout, users do find things to complain about. One of them is the hefty price tag. This is to be expected as the Gunsite Scout is packed with premium features. It is definitely not an entry-level or novice hunter or shooter kind of rifle.

It is also considerably heavy for a rifle–by about a pound or two. Though weight can help in reducing recoil, the rifle can become a cumbersome tool when one is hunting prey over a rugged terrain or when one is carrying it all day. It also slows down handling time of the gun, which is detrimental when chasing after a game.

But no matter how one appreciates–or not–the Ruger Gunsite Scout Rifle, one thing is sure, this is a rifle a user can depend on for accuracy and durability.