Steyr Scout Rifle

Introduction

I remember seeing the Steyr Scout rifle many years ago, its curious look and design were perhaps a little off-putting to me at the time. But decades later I find myself finally in a position to truly evaluate this curious rifle.

The Steyr Scout rifle is a bolt-action rifle fed from proprietary detachable box magazines. Much of it’s uniquity come from its polymer stock that incorporates many extra features. While it is available in various calibers, the model tested today is a 19-inch barreled 308 Winchester. Lets get into this rifle and see how it could fit into your everyday shooting practices.

The Steyr Scout Rifle

Steyr’s Scout rifle is almost thirty years old now, in fact the second generation Scout II is the go to rifle. The original Scout rifle tested today, was manufactured at Steyr’s facility in Bessemer Alabama.

Action and Feeding

At the heart of the Steyr Scout is the action, a rotating bolt that uses two layers of dual lugs to lock up the breech. The extraction is done using a Sako-style claw, and cases are ejected using a spring-plunger to throw cases clear of the action. The safety is located in the tang of the action, and is a bit different. It’s a rotating wheel you can easily adjust with your thumb.

The two-stage trigger appears to be adjustable, though Steyr’s manual seems pretty adamant that only Steyr armorers should attempt such a feat. As it sits, the trigger feels great so I had no reason to mess with it anyways.

The five-round magazines that feed the Scout , are secured using dual spring-loaded claws on each side of the magazine. This results in a perfect thumb and index finger squeeze to pull the magazine from it’s well. A second magazine is secured in the same fashion in the underside of the buttstock.

The Scout Stock

Made from polymer, the Steyr Scout stock is very interesting. A soft rubber recoil pad at the back ensures comfort, and a very traditional grip angle that is enhanced with a hollowed out palm area.

Perhaps the most curious part of the stock is the builtin bipod at the front of the stock. By depressing a centrally located button both of the two bipod legs can be pulled down. They are secured in position with a snap, preventing them from folding back up inadvertently. The rifle can also be canted on the bipod as the hub of the two legs has a builtin swivel.

shooting from the bipod was serviceable, but probably not as good as a dedicated bipod

Additional transportation options are also included, the Scout has built in sling mounts that can be removed or relocated to fit your needs. A simple push and twist will remove the sling mounts, and you can move them to one of many different sockets on either side of the rifle.

Sight Mounting

On the top of the rifle, you will find a sight mounting rail. The original Scout has cuts for standard scope ring location, and several options for mounting a scope in the traditional scout rifle location forward. Forward mounted extended eye relief optics are traditionally used on scout rifles to improve field of view and awareness. The second generation Scout has a full length picatinny rail, allowing you to mount an optic anywhere you chose.

the **Bushnell R5 3-9×40** made an excellent little scope for the Scout

And as if that wasn’t enough, the Steyr Scout also features builtin pop-up iron sights with a ghost-ring style rear sight and a simple front post.

Steyr Scout Specifications

Steyr Scout Specifications
Weight	6.6 Pounds
Length	38.6 Inches
Barrel	19-Inch barrel 1:10 or 1:12 twist *
Caliber Options	.223Rem, .243Win, 7-08Rem, 6.5CM, 308Win
Safety	3-position: fire, safe, safe with locked bolt
Finish	Mannox (nitride surface treatment)
Capacity	5-round magazines X2 (10-round option available)
Sights	Pop-up built-in sights, picatinny sight rail
Muzzle Threads	Gen I ½-20, Gen II ½-28

* different barrel twist depending on rifle generation

Configuring the Steyr Scout

Since I don’t have an extended eye relief scope, I would end up mounting a scope in the traditional fashion. Which I would have preferred to do anyways now that I think about it. Using a pair of Weaver scope rings, I mounted one of the new Bushnell R5 3-9×40 riflescopes. I was surprised how well the Bushnell fit perfectly to this rifle, and matched it capabilities. It’s illuminated center dot was perfect for shooting targets on the move, like hogs or varmints.

I’d grab a few boxes of ammunition to test, some DTM 175 grain Match, Hornady 150 grain American Whitetail, and some Barnes VOR-TX 130 grain ammunition. A good spread to gauge performance of the rifle. All that was left was heading into the deep Rocky Mountains to country that deserves to be scouted.