I did the scout rifle thing, kind of. I just took a Mexican Mauser (small-ring) dated 1933 in 7x57 and cut the barrel to 16.25 inches. What a scream!! I haven't mounted an LER scope yet. The gun cost me $65.

I also took an FN Mauser (large-ring 98 action) in 8mm and rebarreled it in .35 Whelen. It had a 2-10X scope, and the barrel was a medium- weight Shilen cut to 20" with a "scooped" crowning job. The stock, as it turned out, was French walnut. That was worth the $99 I spent on the rifle alone. Not exactly a scout rifle, but a very nice shooter.