The "Scout Rifle" concept was developed by Jeff Cooper a long time ago (remember, I'm probably one of the younger guys here, so for me, long times are shorter than they are for some of ya'll ) as a "go everywhere, do everything smaller than a water buffalo" gun. For the true believers and desciples of Cooperism, it is the last word in long-arm technology. (Can't tell that I don't always agree with the good Colonel, can you?)<br><br>It had to be a light, resonably accurate (1-2 MOA) rifle, with a smooth bolt action that ejects reliably, fitted with a VERY long eye relief scope mounted forward of the action along with iron sights, and with a light sling. The magazine must have a cut-off, so that it may be single-loaded normally, with the loaded magazine only being tapped if needed for emergency, rapid fire. Along the way, the ability to carry at least a basic reload within the magazine was added, along witht he option of a light bipod.<br><br>http://www.recguns.com/IIID3a.html<br>http://pw1.netcom.com/~chingesh/scoutrifle.html<br><br>The most interest part of the scout rfile concept is the far forward mouthed, low powered scope, which supposedely can be (with practice) brought onto target much more quickly than a normal scope and with both eyes open. Don't know, the only time I've shot anything with optic that far forward, it was a holosight, and I didn't notice any changes in time compaired to normally mounted red dots and holos that's I've tried. With a telescopic sight, maybe. <br><br>The iron sights are included for defensive shooting against dangerous animals (two and four legged), and for very close or snap shots on game, along with the normal backup. These are usually of the "ghostring" type, which is deisigned to be used with both eyes open as well, and lines up FAST once you know the sight picture you are looking for.<br><br>The Steyr Scout is an interesting little piece of engineering. 2.5x scope, 5-shot detachable box mag in .308 or 7mm-08, 7 pounds and just over a yard long. The synthetic stock holds a spare magazine, and the forarm has fold-down panels that act as a bipod. Very spify and futuristic looking.<br><br>http://www.steyr-mannlicher.com/english/smg3150.htm<br><br>Also expensive as hell. There are a number of other manufacter's doing Scout packages that are a lot less expensive, and aren't too far behind Steyr in quality of finish (that tolerance may be a draw back for the Scout, actually), along with custom ones. Springfield was doing a Scout package for the M1A bush for us semi-auto fans, and there have been a number of custom Scout-type rifles made up on lever actions, particularly in things like .45=70, .444 Marlin and the new .450 Hornady, all of which have good reps on big, grumpy critters near and above the Artic Circle. I've also seen a picture of a pump action, 20-ga slug gun fitted with a Scout-type mounting, but I don't know anything about that item's history.<br><br> The Scout concept wouldn't be a bad one for places where a .22 is too little gun, actually, if made with a fiberglass stock and titanium or stainless action, barrel and scope. There is a stainless lever gun from Marlin, in .450, that some guy in BC is turing into a take down gun with a Scout-scope, for pilots. I'm sure if people were to find him (sorry, I don't remember his name), he could do such a rebuild on a .30-30 or .44Mag winchester or Marlin for those of us who don't need to stop a charging grizzley or Caddy. Add a good hard all weather finish (Ro-bar does good work), and you would have a good "up grade" from the Explorer.