Coopers Lion Scout Copy...Sort of

[george1]

Hi All,
First post here, all the way from Adelaide, Australia. I have been a fan of the Scout concept since the 90's.

I own a Steyr Scout in .308 and I'm very happy with the rifle but have always wanted a slightly bigger version because I hunt a  large deer variety called Sambar.

Original plan was to build a lion scout in .350RM on the ZKK 601 action, copying Cooper.

The belt on the 350 RM caused me concern and I had always wondered how Cooper modified his magzine. To me it looks like he made his own single stack version.

I would love to see any pictures anyone might have of Coopers magazine arrangement.

However after much consideration, I decided to build my new scout on the .338/.284 Win cartridge. Ordered custom dies from Huntingtons and assembled a few rounds before I chickened out of using it for the ZKK action. Basically it looked like the magazine box and follower would need remanufacturing or significant mods. The last thing I wanted was a unreliable feeding 4 shot rifle.

After loosing interest for nearly a year, I've now decided to build it on the .358 Win chambering as this would require zero effort on the action as my ZKK is currently chambered for .308Win.

After realising that most of the local gunsmiths around here are only happy producing plain stainless barrels without sights etc. I decided to contact a few barrel makers in the US.

Danny Pederson in AZ, has agreed to make me a .35 barrel with integral bases for Talley scope mounts. He said that he used to make scout barrels up all the time but not for at least 5 years. The plan is to pick the barrel up in person in a couple of months and to ship it back with some work equipment but if I dont end up going to the US does anyone have a name of a good customs broker? I would be very greatful as I had no idea that a unchamberred barrel is export controlled.

I'll keep everyone posted on the progress.

Regards

George

[canuck4570]

their must be a way to have a barrel made in 358 for you steyr scout?

[george1]

I'm sure there is but I want to keep my Steyr Scout as a .308Win. Its perfect for smaller deer, goats and pigs.

Besides, I've got the ZKK with a barrel thats on its way out. I could rebore it but building my own scout rifle also appeals to me.

George

[triggertime]

I have a 350RM built on a small ring Mexican Mauser.  It works/feeds great.  No modification to the magazine.  I wish the 350RM was not a "belted" cartridge,
but it is what it is.

What is the problem with the 601 magazine?  Did you try it?

The only modification I recall  of the Col's.  original Lion Scout was the magazine extension (dropped magazine) so it would hold 5 rounds.

[george1]

The magazine box on the 601 has some pressed in vertical ribs that were designed to line up in front of the shoulder on the .308 case. The shoulder on the 284 case hits this rib as the parallel portion of the case is longer. Furthermore the machined step on the foller has a built in angle that diagrees with the 284 case. Heavier .338 bullets would have to be seated deeply into the case as the length of the magazine is only around 4 mm longer than the OAL of normal .308 ammo.

I'm not saying a gunsmith couldn't sort it out, but as spare parts for these actions are not that common, I don't wan't to risk it.
Of course the other alternative is to make the above components from scratch, but I think that would take a bit of effort.

Coppers lion scout definetly had the reciever slot lengthened to fit his 360 fireplug. I then think he made a new magazine up that was a single row feeder. The floor plate realease was also remade as it sticks down over an inch past the stockline.

As I said, it would be great if someone had a good close up picture of the lion scout.

George

[triggertime]

I would recommend buying a 375 Ruger Hawkeye.  

I will give you $100.00  (US) for your ZKK 601 action,  and a new trigger for the Ruger rifle. 


"Driver, move out,  Gunner,  take over"  

[george1]

I think I'll pass thanks.

I paid $500 for it  as it has the recessed apeture sight.

No offense to Ruger owners, but I'm not a fan of the Ruger action (or many of the newer actions for that matter).

George