Over the past few years, the bolt gun market has been all about three main options: chassis guns, long-range hunting setups, or budget beaters. And if you wanted a true scout rifle (a light, handy, general-purpose bolt action with forward-mounted optics), you were scouring the used market for the old Gunsite Scout. But Ruger has finally filled that gap with the new American Rifle Gen II Scout.
The American Gen 2 Action
The original Ruger Gunsite Scout was built on the M77 Mauser-style controlled feed action with a claw extractor. It was super-reliable. However, the new iteration of Ruger American Scout is built on the American Gen 2 push-feed action.
So why not the M77? The M77 is expensive to make. By moving the Scout line to the American Gen II chassis, Ruger kept the MSRP at $929 – significantly cheaper than what legacy Gunsite Scouts go for (if you can find one).
The Gen II action is smoother than the Gen I, featuring a 3-position safety that locks the bolt (convenient for field carry), and a much better factory trigger. If you want a truck gun or a brush gun that you don’t mind getting scratched up, this new platform makes a lot of sense.
The Magwell Update
Ruger finally fixed the biggest headache of the platform: proprietary magazines. They understood that if you buy a utility rifle, you want it to share gear with what you already own.
- 5.56 NATO / 350 Legend: Feeds directly from standard AR-15 magazines.
- .308 Win: Uses ubiquitous AICS pattern mags.
- 7.62×39: Takes standard, rock-in AK-47 magazines.
This last one is specifically great. The old Mini-30 magazines were always a bit finicky, and nobody wants to buy $50 proprietary mags for a truck gun. Now, you can just grab a generic steel AK mag and run it.
Sights and Optics Setup
The hallmark of any Cooper-style scout rifle is the forward-mounted optic rail, and it is here. You have plenty of space to mount a long-eye-relief scope, a red dot, or even a thermal clip-on.
However, due to quality iron sight, the platform is functional without optics too. The front is a protected AR-style post (adjustable for elevation), and the rear is a sturdy ghost ring system adjustable for windage.
Ergonomics and Adjustability
The stock comes in a “Leaf Green” with a black splatter texture – it feels grippy without being abrasive like sandpaper. It also features a modular length-of-pull system. You can strip a spacer out to drop the stock length down to 12 inches. That is perfect if you are hunting in a thick winter coat or teaching a younger shooter how to handle a bolt gun.
Ruger also ships it with a cheek riser installed to help you get a good weld behind a rifle scope. However, if you want to run the iron sights, you can pop that riser off to get your eye low enough for the ghost ring.
Specs
- Caliber: .308 Win, 5.56 NATO, .350 Legend, and 7.62×39 (at launch)
- Barrel: 16.1″, threaded, ships with a muzzle brake
- Rail: Long Picatinny rail (accommodates traditional scopes, long-eye-relief scout scopes, NV/thermal devices)
- Iron Sights: AR-style front post, a windage-adjustable rear aperture
- Barrel: A 16.1-inch barrel threaded for suppressors, ships with a muzzle brake
- Stock: Leaf-green stock, includes a length-of-pull spacer system
- Finish: Cobalt Cerakote (great for rust resistance)
- Safety: 3-position tang safety (locks the bolt and allows you load/unload safely)
- Weight: ~6.5 lbs
If you want something a bit flashier, keep an eye out for Lipsey’s exclusive 30th Anniversary edition in .308 – it’s got a bronze finish and Kryptek camo that looks pretty sharp. For everyone else, the standard model is going to be a workhorse.
Photo courtesy of Ruger.
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