Editing Scout rifle (section)

==Defining characteristics==
Drawing inspiration from several sources, specifically the 1903 [[Mannlicher–Schönauer]] and the [[Winchester Model 1894]] [[carbine]]s, Cooper defined several distinguishing characteristics of a scout rifle:

* '''Caliber''': a standard chambering of [[.308 Winchester]]/[[7.62×51mm NATO]] or [[7mm-08 Remington]] for locales that forbid civilian ownership of cartridges in chamberings adopted by military forces or for its "slightly better ballistics."<ref name="To Ride, Shoot Straight, and Speak the Truth">''To Ride, Shoot Straight, and Speak the Truth'' by Jeff Cooper, p. 139</ref> As Cooper wrote, "A true Scout comes in .308 or 7mm-08."<ref name="Thoughts From The Gunners Guru">''Guns & Ammo'', [http://www.gunsandammomag.com/cs/Satellite/IMO_GA/Story_C/Thoughts+From+the+Gunners+Guru+--+October+2006?packedargs=recid%3D1198098376868 Thoughts From The Gunners Guru] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090115031348/http://gunsandammomag.com/cs/Satellite/IMO_GA/Story_C/Thoughts+From+the+Gunners+Guru+--+October+2006?packedargs=recid%3D1198098376868 |date=2009-01-15 }}</ref> The [[.243 Winchester]] is an alternative for young, small-framed, or recoil-shy people, but needs a {{convert|22|in|mm|0|abbr=off}} barrel. Cooper also commissioned "Lion Scout," chambered for the [[.350 Remington Magnum]] cartridge.
* '''Action''': all Cooper's prototype scout rifles were bolt-actions, however he said "if a [[Semi-automatic firearm|semi-automatic]] action were made which was sufficiently compact and otherwise acceptable, it should certainly be considered". Cooper said the Brno ZKK 601 action is the closest to the guidelines. A [[bolt-action]] two-lug, 90° rotation was favored, as was the traditional Mauser claw extractor. The bolt knob should be smooth and round, not checkered and positioned far enough forward of the trigger to avoid pounding of the index finger during firing. The safety should be positive and include three positions. It should disconnect the trigger mechanism rather than blocking it. It should be strong and positive and work from front to rear, rear position "safe" and forward "fire."
* '''Trigger''': smooth and clean, and provide a crisp {{convert|3|lb|g|abbr=off}} release.
* '''Weight''': an unloaded weight, with accessories, of {{convert|7|lb|kg|abbr=off}}; with {{convert|8|lb|kg|abbr=off}} as the maximum acceptable.
* '''Length''': an overall length of {{convert|39|in|mm|abbr=off|sp=us}} or less and a barrel length of {{convert|19|in|mm|abbr=off|sp=us}} or less. These two characteristics place scout rifles into the general class of [[carbine]]s.
* '''Optics''': a forward-mounted telescopic sight of low magnification, typically 2 to 3 power. This preserves the shooter's [[peripheral vision]], keeps the ejection port open to allow the use of [[stripper clip]]s to reload the rifle, and eliminates any chance of the scope striking one's brow during [[recoil]]. Cooper has stated that a [[telescopic sight]] is not mandatory.
* '''Reserve sights''': [[ghost ring]] auxiliary iron sights: a rear sight consisting of a receiver-mounted large-aperture thin ring, and typically a square post front sight on the receiver bridge and not on the end of the barrel, where it catches on things, breaks, snags and muddies up. This allows the rifle to be accurately aimed at short to medium ranges even if the scope becomes damaged.
* '''Stock''': synthetic rather than wood stocks. Heel of the butt rounded to avoid snagging on the shirt. A spare magazine stored in the butt. A retractable [[bipod]] that does not protrude from the stock.
* '''Magazine''': magazine should be so constructed as to protect the points of soft point spitzer bullets as they ride in the magazine. Some sort of magazine cut-off permitting the rifle to be used in the single-shot mode with the magazine in reserve. An alternative to the magazine cut-off is a [[detachable box magazine]] with a double detent which could be inserted to its first stop not allowing the bolt to feed it. When desired, the magazine could be pressed into its second stop, permitting the bolt to pick up the top cartridge.
* '''Sling''': a "Ching" or "CW" sling. Against common practice, Cooper advocated the use of a sling as a shooting aid. The [[Ching sling]] offers the convenience of a carrying strap and the steadiness of a target shooter's sling with the speed of a [[biathlete]]'s sling. (The CW sling is a simpler version of a Ching sling, consisting of a single strap.)
* '''Accuracy''': should be capable of shooting into 2&nbsp;[[minutes of angle|MOA]] (0.6&nbsp;[[Milliradian|mrad]]) or {{convert|4|in|mm|0|abbr=off}} at {{convert|200|yd|m|0|abbr=off}} (3 [[Shot grouping|shot groups]])

These features dictated short, thin barrels, synthetic stocks, and bolt actions. Other optional features included a retractable bipod, detachable magazines, a buttstock ammunition or magazine holding pouch, and an accessory rail for mounting a flashlight, laser sight, among other attachments. The addition of some of these features often renders the rifle technically not a scout as originally defined, but this has come to be accepted by many as still conforming to the spirit if not to the letter of the concept.