Ruger Gunsite Scout extended review

[Whit Spurzon]

I was one of those guys that wanted the Ruger Gunsite Scout Rifle the minute I saw it and was lucky enough to acquire one  via my local gun monger early last February.  I was pleased when I got it and my initial tests gave me a favorable glimpse at what this little gun is capable of.  Now, months later, with more than 40 different loads tested - everything from #0 buckshot to 210+ grain cast bullets to full power jacketed loads, I like it even more than I did when I first saw it.


A few of the cast bullets I've run through it.



The rifle is simply a delight to shoot and rivals a levergun when it comes to handiness in the field.



So far my favorite loads are:

-Hornady 165 grain JSP over IMR 3031 and IMR 4895.  I've had very good results with IMR 4064 and Varget too but the previous two seem to have the edge on accuracy.  All the powders at the Max Hodgdon published data will top 2500 fps in the short GSR barrel.  The IMR 3031 averages 2573 fps and has produced the best jacketed bullet groups (sub MOA) when I do my part.  Another thing I like about the GSR is that I don't have to wait for the barrel to cool between shots to get a good group like I do with my skinnier barreled Remington and CZ rifles.  

-Lyman 311284 210 grain gc bullet over enough Unique to get it going 1338 fps avg is amazingly accurate, easy shooting and man does it ever smack steel!  This was a pleasant surprise to me as my expectations for a bullet this heavy were low.  I've pushed it as slowly as 554 fps with W231 and up to 1500 fps with 2400 (over five grains UNDER the max load in an old Lyman manual) with good success.  It's kind of fun seeing a slow bullet arch down range and meeting its target.

-The Lyman 311334 187 grain cast spire point bullet is fantastic over a wide range of velocities too.  It seems to like it best around 1900 fps pushed by a mid level dose of SR 4759 and behaves very nicely at lower velocities with 2400 (1548 fps avg) and Unique (1321 fps avg).

-The Lee 309-113 "Soup Can" does great at both super and subsonic velocities.  Using Bullseye or W231 to get it going right around 800 fps this load is a great Grouse Getter and shoots POA out a little beyond 25 yards but is accurate well beyond.


Six different loads all shot iron sighted - not finicky at all, I'd say.

I know of two guys that are having some excellent success with 150 grain bullets and getting over 2700 fps using a half grain less than Max of 4895.  Sub MOA groups at 100 yards and rocking the 500 yard Rams with a GSR.  He's inspired me to revisit the 150 grain jacketed bullets and buy another pound of 4895 to see how it plays in my GSR.

These are very fun guns and wonderfully versatile.  I think Ruger was right when they said it was the one if you could only have one... Still I wish they'd hurry up and build my SR1911 before I spend the money on something else.

Just ordered some poly mags for it.  I'll let you know how those workout.  My expectations are high and so far the Ruger Gunsite Scout Rifle has exceeded them.

[fightingquaker13]

Thanks for the followup. It sounds like it would be very cool if they would offer one in something like .454 Casull (my choice), or .44 mag in order to give you a two gun combo.This seems to make particular sense for Ruger as rumor has it that they some pretty nice big bore revolvers and zero lever guns.   As you say, it seems like the rifles it will threaten to displace most are levers. I don't see many folks trading in semi-autos on one for an SD gun. But for a quick handling brush gun that has good accuracy and will bring a ten round mag to a gun fight in a pinch? Well, I think if I had my choice between the Ruger in .44 mag with its quick loading detachable magazines, or buying  another Model 94 in .44 mag, it would be a pretty easy call. My apologies  to the Duke.
FQ13

[ellis4538]

I assume you took the scope off for the pictures cause those can't possibly be iron sight groups!  LOL

NICE


Richard

[Whit Spurzon]

I assume you took the scope off for the pictures cause those can't possibly be iron sight groups!  LOL

NICE


Richard

Mine ain't never had a scope on it   

I pondered it but I'd have to pull the scope off the CZ which, with its favorite loads is a one hole gun and I don't like messin with what ain't broke.    Didn't feel like ponying up for another Leupold when the Ruger Irons seem to work just fine.    Now if Ruger makes me wait much longer for my SR1911, I might have to reconsider.

Hoping to get some video of the GSR pounding the long range dingers soon.  We usually use our leverguns but I have a feeling this GSR is going to make it a bunch easier... 

Weather is REAL bad here now so it may be a few months before I get the chance.

[tombogan03884]

What was the thinking behind firing #0 buck ?
There were some pretty sound reasons they abandoned  round balls 150 years ago.

[Sponsor]

[Whit Spurzon]

What was the thinking behind firing #0 buck ?
There were some pretty sound reasons they abandoned  round balls 150 years ago.

Mainly curiosity.  It is a load I learned from one of my Scoutmasters back when I was just a grub.  Back then we shot them in our 1903A3's that we could purchase through the troop (with parental permission) for about two month's worth of paperboy wages.  They were accurate out to 50 yards and provided lots of inexpensive repetitions.  They made for a dandy vermin/small game/grouse load too for 30 caliber rifles.  Back then it was my only rifle and I used it for everything.  



These days it's still a good way to get inexpensive repetitions and they are quiet enough to shoot without disturbing the neighbors.  Economy isn't the only reason, sometimes it's curiosity, sometimes it's just cuz I can.  Even modern Grouse can still be taken with them.  



Round balls work in other calibers too.  My M&P 45 fires and cycles these great.

[tombogan03884]

AHHH. Well, that's something to file away for future reference.