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View Full Version : LH Scout rifle build. Is it feasable?



iballdriver
09-29-2015, 11:37 PM
Left handed shooter. I really, really am enamored with the scout rifle concept. Ruger's laminate stock is a big no for me as well as their cost, mossberg has some great pieces that i really like but they are not offered in left hand variants.
So i got to thinking. Possible to modify a savage left hand rifle, in .308, into a scout rifle?
Would appreciate y'all's insight and thoughts on this.
:)

J.Baker
09-30-2015, 03:23 AM
So what specifically is it about the Scout rifle that appeals to you that can't be accomplished with a scope mounted in the traditional location?

Having just reviewed the new Scout model I can say that yes - it's a nice rifle, but the forward mounted scope does nothing but greatly limit your choice in optics. Additionally, with a detachable magazine one of the primary reasons for the forward mounted optic [ease of reloading the internal magazine] has been negated. The only thing the Scout really has that's beneficial and nor readily available elsewhere is the heavier contour barrel that's threaded for a flash hider/brake/suppressor.

If it were me I would just get a Model 10FLCP-SR in .308 Win as it already has 90% of what the Model 11 Scout has to build from...
- heavy .308 barrel
- threaded muzzle
- detachable 10-rd magazine
- AccuStock
- Matte black oxide finish
- Tactical bolt handle
- P.A.D. recoil pad

The only thing it is missing is the adjustable LOP and the adjustable comb. The adjustable LOP isn't really needed unless you're really tall or have an overly long neck, and there are several outfits that sell adjustable comb kits (http://tacpro.com/product_info.php?cPath=5&products_id=27) using a Kydex saddle just like Savage is using on the Scout that you can add to the 10FLCP-SR and they're very inexpensive.

The only other thing missing would be the open sights, which any decent local gunsmith can get and install for you. The only difference would be the rear sight would be on the barrel (traditional location) and you'd have to remove the scope mount to use them. This route gives you the widest selection of optics and magnification ranges as you don't need a long eye relief scope of which there are very few on the market.

The other option would be to order the Scout scope rail and sight set from Savage and have a local gunsmith drill and tap the barrel for the front mounting screws and front sight screws.

iballdriver
09-30-2015, 10:16 AM
Thanks for sharing your experience and insight.
I do like what mossy did with their magazine philopsophy in moving away from proprietary and towards magazines alreay on the market-at more affordable prices. I just take a shine to col. Cooper's design philosophy. Built in redundancy with iron sights and scope, detachable mags, etc. I am 6'2", so lop and cheek rise is a concern as well.
Such is the disadvantage i am at, being a lefthanded shooter. :)
Hoping for offerings for us southpaws in 2016.
:)

psharon97
09-30-2015, 10:36 AM
You can also contact the custom shop at Savage and have them build you a rifle for left hand.

J.Baker
09-30-2015, 01:17 PM
You can also contact the custom shop at Savage and have them build you a rifle for left hand.

Yes and no. He could get the barrel w/sights and forward rail that way, but not the stock as they don't make a LH stock with the adjustable bits on it. If it's not a regular "on the shelf" part they won't do it.

big honkin jeep
09-30-2015, 05:52 PM
Of course it's feasible. Pretty much any model 10 or 11 L with iron sights should be a good place to start.
I built a little lefty carbine just to have for kickin around the farm. Though I didn't follow Coopers formula it's probably pretty close to what you're after.
This one is pretty much factory takeoff parts from the classifieds here and a few hardware store items.

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w188/bighonkinjeep/Carbine/e1e37a21-8c36-450d-983e-f299cdec3e1e_zps58a82883.jpg (http://s176.photobucket.com/user/bighonkinjeep/media/Carbine/e1e37a21-8c36-450d-983e-f299cdec3e1e_zps58a82883.jpg.html)

iballdriver
09-30-2015, 08:29 PM
Of course it's feasible. Pretty much any model 10 or 11 L with iron sights should be a good place to start.
I built a little lefty carbine just to have for kickin around the farm. Though I didn't follow Coopers formula it's probably pretty close to what you're after.
This one is pretty much factory takeoff parts from the classifieds here and a few hardware store items.

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w188/bighonkinjeep/Carbine/e1e37a21-8c36-450d-983e-f299cdec3e1e_zps58a82883.jpg (http://s176.photobucket.com/user/bighonkinjeep/media/Carbine/e1e37a21-8c36-450d-983e-f299cdec3e1e_zps58a82883.jpg.html)

Looks great!!
What mags do you use?
What all did you do to get to this point?