Scout Rifle: Every Patriot needs one

I am a fan of the Scout Rifle concept as designed by Colonel Cooper.

Deacon Matson adds first-hand experience to the mix, here.

If a Patriot were relegated to only one longarm, it is hard to beat the Scout Rifle.

It is compact, especially with a 16"-20" barrel and folding stock. The bolt action is legendary for being robust and reliable. And whether put into action in an urban environment, the 'burbs, or more open country, a Scout Rifle chambered for the battle-proven .308 is hard to beat.



Here are three variations. Ruger weighs-in (above) as the budget champion, though I wish it had a pistol grip and folding stock. But all things considered, a Patriot could do far, far worse if he had to select a single rifle for battle.



I am very fond of the Steyr SSG 08, as I have written before. And the armorers at Steyr will fit the SSG 08 with a 16" barrel for the ultimate in compact profile. But at nearly $6 grand, it ain't cheap.

A new entrant is the FNH Ballista. Sweet.



Choose the arms you will rely upon to travel with you through Restoration with great consideration. You may not have access to spare parts. You may have to resupply ammo from the enemy, and .308 is plentiful. There are times you'll need a scope, and others when you'll need the speed of iron sights. The Scout Rifle is a brilliant concept.

Use the same careful consideration when choosing your sidearms, your battle blades, your packs, your fire starters (you never know when you may need to burn something to the ground) and every other facet of the gear upon which your life will depend.

And remember the true reason for arms:

“The rifle itself has no moral stature, since it has no will of its own. Naturally, it may be used by evil men for evil purposes, but there are more good men than evil, and while the latter cannot be persuaded to the path of righteousness by propaganda, they can certainly be corrected by good men with rifles.” ― Jeff Cooper, Art of the Rifle

Kerodin
III