Hickock45 did a pretty good review on it. I like it based on what i've read. I'd love to shoot one, so please, give us a report when you're done so we can drool.
I still don't get the appeal, but...
It looks sexy.
It is one of those love it or hate it type rifles from what I have been reading.
I think it boils down to my 100% utilitarian approach to all things that go bang. I know for certain that I have no use for a Scout rifle, but at the same time struggle to figure out how anyone else could either...
It's short, it's light, it's pretty accurate in a not-too-humble cartridge... But it just seems like a bastard of a true bolt gun and an AR or similar carbine-- at least to me.
Detachable box mag and bolt action don't make a ton of sense to me personally-- there are other rifles out there that do both things better, this day in age. The forward eye relief optic mount really boggles my mind-- especially when so few optics that work that way are offered in the magnifications that make sense for what so much of this rifle SEEMS to want to do...
I can't come up with a situation in which I don't say, "I'd rather have an AR/bolt gun." There's probably one or two out there, but definitely not something I'd encounter regularly... if at all.
It is pretty to look at and I hear they shoot well-- for that reason alone, it's a curiosity to me at least. I'm not familiar enough with the guns themselves or the design principles to truly lambast them, either. I just keep thinking that I'd build a lightweight 300 Blackout instead, and be done with it...
I can't come up with a situation in which I don't say, "I'd rather have an AR/bolt gun." There's probably one or two out there, but definitely not something I'd encounter regularly... if at all.
However I do agree with you about choosing a dedicated AR or Bolt gun as a first option since they are so flexible now.
You are right about it being kinda an odd duck, but it was built to fufill a ideaology. An ideaology that was forumlated and refined before a lot of the guns we use today were produced. The forward mount optic is a comprimise for increased accuracy at range with ability for quick acquisition of a target. The box mag was so that it could be reloaded faster and hold more rounds than a stock bolt gun and would be useful for a military scouting rifle.
It is essentially a gun produced after its time but one that still has a large following.
It has its flaws just like any other rifle, but it also has quite a few benefits that are not very common either.
I personally like the size of the rifle but would prefer a 18 inch barrel and a different action (I have trouble cycling a mauser action very quickly without it binding on me). The forward mount would be handy if i was using a red dot or reflex sight but i would stick to the more common type of scopes that fit over the action for any longer range or precision shots. I love rugers iron sights, but you can't leave the rear sight mounted and use a conventional scope.
However I do agree with you about choosing a dedicated AR or Bolt gun as a first option since they are so flexible now.