Well, I decided to take the plunge.
It has a confidence inspiring heft to it. So many new guns with synthetic stocks lack that. The Ruger Gunsite Scout feels like it is up to hard use in tough conditions. There is also an underlying level of refinement to that ruggedness that is also pleasing to the senses.
Both the trigger and the sights were better than I expected. I believe both will contribute favorably to its accuracy potential. The bolt is easily run quickly and I expect it will get better with use.
I ran a variety of ammo through the action from the magazine. The 173 gr cast Lyman 311041 bullet loads would engrave slightly upon feeding while all others including the smaller 120 grain Lyman 311008 cast bullet cycled beautifully.
My goal is to develop a variety of loads to take advantage of this versatile cartridge. Everything from subsonic cast bullet Grouse Getter loads on up to big critter thumpers that I've done with my 30-30 Leverguns. It's nice to be able to harvest Grouse with your rifle and still have something left to eat. The reduced report doesn't put every critter for miles on high alert either. With rimfire like recoil it makes for an excellent round to introduce new shooters to centerfire rifles.
Ruger is marketing this rifle as "The one rifle to have if you could only have one." I intend to test that in the coming weeks and months on targets, long range steel and critters from Grouse to Elk. We'll see how it plays out - but I'm not betting against it..
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