General Purpose Rifle
General Purpose Rifle

Analysis of the Scout Rifle: Part 6

This is the sixth and final part in a series of articles concerning the Scout Rifle. It could be considered an addendum to my book, The Scout Rifle Study. The Disparity between Definition and Performance Firearms, regardless of what they’re called, are intended to serve a purpose; they’re engineered and designed to perform specific tasks. With the Scout Rifle Concept Jeff Cooper attempted …

Thoughts on the General Purpose Rifle

In the 1980s, Jeff Cooper, a former Marine and founder of what is now known as Gunsite Academy, conceived the Scout Rifle concept. Cooper theorized the best general-purpose rifle – a rifle well adapted to just about any task – was in fact somewhat ironically, a very specialized weapon. Among other things, he stipulated a 308 Winchester with a maximum length of …

Cooper’s Load

In his book, To Ride, Shoot Straight, and Speak the Truth, Cooper stated, β€œAll scouts up to now have been in caliber .308, and the chronograph insists that the proper loading can start a 150-grain bullet from a 19 inch barrel at a couple clicks over 2700 f/s. These ballistics served Theodore Roosevelt and Steward Edward White very well in Africa, and they still can.”