III. Firearm Information by Type

D. Rifles

3. Miscellaneous

a. What is Jeff Cooper's Scout Rifle?

I've read Jeff Coopers commentaries that have been recently posted, and he keeps mentioning a Scout rifle. So, what's a Scout Rifle? Is it a specific design? A specific role?

• "Its total weight, including the sight, should not exceed three kilograms.
• Its total length should not exceed one meter.
• Its two initial calibers should be 7.62 NATO and 7mm-08 (this latter caliber for jurisdictions in which military cartridges are forbidden.)
• The stock should be of high-quality synthetic material affording greater strength per unit of weight and of uniform non-skid finish. (The exact configuration and specifications of the stock are matters for further conference, but length of pull is not to exceed 12.5in.)
• A Scout-type telescope sight should be mounted low over the bore nd forward of the magazine well. Its magnification should be three diamters, and ideally all movement and adjustments should take place outside the tube. The reticle should be etched on the glass.
• Currently, the best action available, in our option, is the ZKK 601, but it could definitely be improved. Ideally, the fabricator should produce his own action.
• Reserve retractable iron sights should be incorporated for emergencies.
• The fabrication of the barrel will depend on facilities available. At present, we use a "pedestal" barrel that incorporates the telescopic bases into the barrel itself, avoiding the problems of attachment and barrel thickness at point of contact. We currently use cut barrels, but hammer-forged barrels would be better if a hammer-forging plant was available.
• Three flush sling-sockets should be included to accommodate either the CW or the Ching sling.
• At present, we think only of bolt actions, which, of course, necessitate the production of both right- and left-hand models. We are not prejudiced against self-loading actions as are the governments of Britain and South Africa, but we have not yet encountered a self-loading action that is compact enough to fit the scout concept.
• We anticipate target-type accuracy and a trigger action that will enable the shooter to get the most out of his weapon.
• Above all, the completed instrument must be durable."