Steyr Scout Tips and Tricks
(Page 1)

These pages contain some tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your Steyr Scout Rifle. They have been submitted by Scout owners or the factory and are published here for your enjoyment.

These tips and recommendations are furnished with the understanding that you use them at your own risk. No warranty as to their usefulness or accuracy is expressed or implied. Neither SteyrUSA, nor Steyr Mannlicher, AG, nor anyone else accepts any responsibility or blame for any damages, or if things don't work right, or if you damage your rifle in any way. Before doing any work with the rifle ensure that the rifle is unloaded and that all magazines are removed.

Another good source for Steyr info on all manner of Steyr firearms is the Steyr Club Forum at www.steyrclub.com.  

If you discover a idea or product that you think would benefit other Steyr Scout owners please email your idea by clicking here. and I'll consider it for posting here along with a credit line. Because this page was getting quite large I have broken it up into 2 pages for faster loading

As previously mentioned I am not a dealer for Steyr and I can't really provide any help in obtaining Steyr products.  However, I do usually have a supply of many of the critical parts (no magazines or adapters) for the Scout and SBS action rifles.  If you have questions about tune up work on the bolt or you are in desperate need of parts click here to see what I have available and then E-mail me and  I will try to help you.

On this page

Swivels for the Scout now available!  See "Slings & Swivels."

| A .376 5 rd butt carrier | An Alternative IER Scope | Scout Manufacture Dates | Production Changes | Improved Bolt Cam | Screws and Torque |

| Oops! The Bolt Shroud Turned Too Far |

  | Replacement Steyr Scout Manuals | Lubrication | Bolt Handle Modifications | Bipod Repair | Case for the Steyr Scout | Slings & Swivels  |

| Leupold QRW & PRW Cross Slot Rings | Carrying Pouches for Magazines | Scope Ring Tool for Steyr Mounts |

| Smoothing Up Bolt Travel | Cleaning Supplies Storage | Talley Scope Mount Rings Available |

| "Tactical" Scout Bolt Handle Modifications |  Mounting a Scope with the Steyr Rings |

| Opening the Storage Compartment | Dealing with Light Hits | Easing Bolt Lift | Trigger Adjustment |

Page 2 contains the following subjects

Left Handed Cartridge Carrier Modification,   Ammunition Warning,   Steyr Scout Zeroing Target,  Cartridge Carrier Looseness, Cartridge Carrier Screw Modification,  Cleaning Rod Guide,   Leopard Light, Sighting Trick,  Stock Spacer Removal,  Firing Pin Spring Adjustment,  Bolt Collar Alignment,  Screw Tightening Specifications,  Bolt Manipulation Technique, Sling Installation,  Scope Lens Covers, and  Reserve Magazine Retention

| Visit Page 2 of Tips & Tricks |

A .376 5 rd Butt Carrier

Steyr doesn't make a 5 rd butt carrier for the .376 cartridge and the holders for 308/7-08/243 rounds have a reputation for looseness.  They can however be modified to work perfectly with the .376 round by microwaving the carrier for a few seconds  and while  still (slightly) soft simply push five .376 cases firmly into it and allow to cool.

Thanks to Peter Moran for this tip.

An Alternative IER Scope

A correspondent who wears progressive lens glass was having problem being able to focus with the Leupold IER scope which has a non-adjustable eye piece.  A solution was found in Nikons 2X "Monarch EER scope (#6562 inmatte black) which has an eye placement range of 10.5 to 26.4 inches and has an adjustable eye piece focus. By adjusting the focusing eye piece he was able to get proper stock weld and see sharply with the scope.

Thanks to Richard Ryals for this tip.

Manufacture Dates

To determine the year of manufacture look for a 3 character code on the barrels just in front of the stock and refer to the table.

Production Changes

I am frequently asked what changes have been made to the Steyr Scout since it was first offered.  While the factory is kind of mum on this, as far as I know the following changes have been slipstreamed since the Steyr Scout was first introduced. They are listed in rough order but  I do not know the exact dates or serial number of introduction.

• Jeff Cooper package (Initial offering) contained rifle with grey stock, "butterknife bolt handle, "JC" logo on stock, case, sling & swivels, Steyr marked Leupold scope with heavy duplex reticle, serial numbered Steyr rings, test target, and a Cooper certificate.
• Trigger assembly modified--minor design changes Type II trigger introduced
• Improved bipod pivot
• White line deleted from reserve front sight
• I have seen the following bolts fitted to Scouts and SBS rifles, with flat, coned (SGS type), and round knobs

Flat chrome with logo
Flat chrome w/o logo
Flat slick black w/o logo
Round chrome
Round "slick" black
Round dull black

• Offerings in .223 (5.56 mm),  .243 Winchester, 7mm-08 Remington, .308 Win (7.62 mm), 7.5 mm Swiss, and .376 Steyr
• Tactical model introduced (black stock and round bolt knob. No optics or mounts)
• Black stocked non-Cooper package
• Tactical Elite model introduced (24" or 20" heavy barrel, enlarged bolt knob, and adjustable stock. No optics or mount)
• Various firing pin/spring designs (I have seen the following configurations.  The round firing pins are current production)

Square 3 position short spring with nut
Square 5 position short spring with nut
Square 1 position long spring 
Round 2 position short spring
Round 3 position short spring
Round 1 position long spring

• Improved shape bolt cam to lower bolt lift force.
• Improved bolt guide pin
• A tedst run .308 Scouts was produced with 1:10 twist instead of 1:12 for improved performance with 175 gr and heavier bullets. but never generally implimented.

Improved Bolt Cam

An improved design bolt cam was quietly introduced.  This helps with the bolt lift force issue, especially on rifles with the non-adjustable firing pin springs.  

You can check your cam for the type you have by holding a straight edge along the long slope on the cam.  The old cams are perfectly straight while the improved cam has a noticeable "hump." There is also an improved firing pin lug that has a slight bevel at the contact point. These can generally be obtained through you local Steyr distributor but they may be reluctant to supply them for self installation.

Screws

Having had some correspondence from some folks who have lost screws, the following are the screw sizes for the major screws on the Scout.

In addition the following are the torque specs for the Scout.

WARNING!  DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN!

Removal of the barrel by a non-Steyr armorer is not recommended and takes a special wrench.  For adventurous souls the barrel wrench is about 18" long,  1.073" outside diameter, with an inside diameter of .825"+  The "head" has 4 lugs spaced 90 degrees.  The lugs are nominally .195 - .2" wide and .2" deep, with smooth edges.  The top end has flats pressed in to it (like a spark plug wrench) or has a wrench socket with a nominal 3/8" square drive slot to use to remove the barrel or to torque it in place.  See torque specs above.

Oops! The Bolt Shroud Turned Too Far

I get enough correspondence on this that I guess a "tip" is needed.  If the bolt shroud is allowed to turn too far counter clockwise it can be difficult to turn it back to the correct position due to the steepness of the cam surfaces in that position.  You may want to have someone give you a hand.

1. Place the bolt on a flat surface with the handle in contact with the surface and the bolt shroud hanging over the end of the surface.

2. Press in and hold the shroud latch (that little "button").
3. Take a deep breath, grunt, and rotate the shroud back into position--with the square projection of the shroud in line with the bolt handle.  DO NOT use pliers!
4. Relax and have a cold one! Repeat 100 times, "I'm not going to do that again!"

Oops!	Press this and hold	Grunt!	Ah!

...98 - I'm not going through that again! 99 - I'm not going through that again! 100 - I'm not going through that again!

This "problem" has become so common that Steyr now has a neat little plastic wrench that was, for a time at least, included with new Scouts.

I am currently out of these wrenches

A correspondent recently sent in a design for a makeshift bolt tool.  Just take half-inch thick plywood, and cut a notch 13/16" of an inch wide and about 1 1/4"  deep.   Then with the bolt handle resting on a table, you just twist the shroud clockwise back to its original position--the tool holding the latch in.

Thanks to Stefan J. for this tip.

Replacement Steyr Scout Manuals

If you are in need of an original owners manual for your Steyr Scout, I can provide a copy in PDF format of the original GSI manual.  It is a 450K file.  I also now have a PDF version of a general Steyr manual that covers the Tactical Elite and the Ultra Light.  It is a very large file (1.4 MB) and may be blocked by some ISPs if sent as an e-mail attachment.  You must have Adobe Acrobat 5.0 or higher to read these files.

If you want a copy of both manuals on CD along with  the trigger adjustment and some other Steyr documents in MS Word and pdf formats you can request the "Scout manuals package"  send US$10 cash, check, or MO to

J. C. Schaefer
1365 Saddleback Drive
Cottonwood, AZ 86326
USA

Lubrication

While everyone seems to have their favorite lube I have found that the best lube for the Steyr Scout seems to be properly applied TW25B or SLIP EWL.  For more information on TW25B see Mil-Comm's web site at http://www.mil-comm.com.  For iinformation on Slip EWL see http://www.slip2000.com.

Click here for information on how and where to lubricate your Scout or other SBS based rifles.

Bolt Handle Modifications

Many people do not care for the flattened bolt handle of the standard Steyr Scout.  While in Europe the factory will swap handle assemblies, that option has generally not been available in the US although as of 2004 Steyr USA has had some available but they are fitted with the big SSG cone shape knob like the knob in the picture below.  For availability and  installation of the "round knob bolt handles," contact Jack Riddle at

Steyr Arms, Inc.
PO Box 840
Trussville, AL 35173
Phone: (205) 467-6544

Current production US Scout appear to be coming through with the round handle.   As an example of what can be done the photo below shows a big head bolt knob from Badger Shooters Supply that has been welded to a cut off flat handle.  While I personally think that the assembly is a bit ungainly but it does show what can be accomplished with a little bit of ingenuity.

Thanks to Steve Berke for this idea

For information on replacing the large round or "SSG type knobs see the section on "Tactical" Scout Bolt Handle Modifications" below. 

Bipod Repair

The bipod on the Steyr Scout is fairly rugged but it is not designed for "GI Joe" type use.  There have been some reports of the pivot pin breaking and the factory has come up with a fix.  This fix involves trimming off the broken pivot stub and fitting an aluminum stud to the bipod head.

Repaired bipod pivot, unfitted pin, original bipod pivot.

If you have experienced a broken bipod pivot pin and have been unable to get it fixed via the importer contact me by clicking here.  I have a limited number of these pins and instructions for replacement available for $15 including postage.  They should be fitted by a competent gunsmith or machinist.  Because of the limited number of these pins on hand please don't request one unless you have a broken bipod.

Gun Case for the Steyr Scout

The original case furnished with the "Jeff Cooper" package left a bit to be desired as it looked like a chainsaw case.  Doskocil  made two nifty cases that seem tailored for the Steyr Scout.  They were their  "Special Edition" Single Rifle Cases, item #10480 or #10488.  These cases hold a single scoped rifle up to 48" and feature recessed handles, deep molded valance and live action hinges and are 471/2" x 81/2" x 31/2" inner dimensions.  The #10481 had a game scene on the outside and metal latches while the 10480 was a plain case with slide locks.  Plano now makes a similar case, their Plano "Gun Guard Special Edition Double Rifle Case" but it holds two rifles.  A Steyr branded version of the single rifle case is currently available from Steyr Arms at http://www.steyrarms.com/store/index.php/cases/rifle-case.html.

Slings and Swivels

For Ching Slings I highly recommend Andy Langlois www.andysleather.com or andy (at) andysleather (dot) com 

With the Millett and Pachmayr swivels now discontinued, Steyr has arranged for the Millett type swivels to be made by a European company and is now listing them for stock

You can order them from  Andy's Leather or STEYR ARMS ( Steyr item no. 2600060022 ). 

Steyr Arms, Inc.
2530 Morgan Road
Bessemer, AL 35022
Phone: (205) 417-8644

Leupold QRW & PRW Rings

Leupold has recently announced that their QRW and PRW rings are now OK'd for use on the Steyr Scout's STANAG rail.  The new rings utilize a square cross bar insert that fits the cross slots of the rails deeply and won't peen the lips of the cross slots.  The cross bolt is a little narrower than the 4 mm STANAG cross slot.  Care needs to be taken to ensured that the cross bolts are firmly against the front of the cross slots when installing them.  The QRWs are quick release and the PRW are not.  Both hold their zero on removal.  At $58 for the 1" rings and $70 for the 30 mm rings they are the best buy for Steyr Scout owners.  Click here for pictures and more details.

Carrying Pouches For Extra 5 Round Magazines

A handy pouch for carrying extra 5 round Scout magazines is available from Eagle  Industries.  Visit their web site at: http://www.eagleindustries.com for more details.  They are listed under "belt ammo pouches."  Their model AP-U is the perfect size to hold a single 5-round mag, and the AP-G is a double unit and will hold two magazines. Both pouches attach to a military web belt with ALICE clips, have silent closures, and come in black, OD, and other colors.  Just the thing for all those extra magazines when you are running a field course.

Thanks to Ed Ruth for this tip.

Another source for 5 round magazine carriers is the compass pouches for the military ALICE equipment.  They are available from numerous surplus sources for about $3.00.  While not as fancy as the above they work just fine.

Thanks to Bruce Beckwith for this tip

Wilderness Tactical products makes a very nice dedicated pouch for the Steyr Scout 10 rd magazines.  http://www.thewilderness.com/storepinnacle/index.php?p=product&id=2781&parent=207

Tool For Steyr Scope Ring  Mounting Nuts

A very handy tool for the slotted nuts on the factory Steyr Scout scope mounts can be made by slightly thinning the blade on the B-Square scope mount wrench for Ruger/Redfield mounts.  It is available from Brownells as part number 122-160-600 for $12.95.  It makes the removal of the factory mounts easier and helps prevent damage from slipping screw drivers.

Wheeler #45 flat bit is also good fit in the Steyr rings. A Neiko 1/4" small magnetic ratchet handle  hex drive from amazon and set of  hex drive bits fit in the pistol grip compartment of the rifle.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/785697/wheeler-engineering-screwdriver-bit-45-flat-blade-pack-of-3

Thanks to Alan Barnet for this tip.

Smoothing Up Bolt Travel

Bolt travel can be significantly smoothed up and binding eliminated on Steyr Scouts by slightly beveling the two opposite edges of the guiding pin protruding into the guide rail of the bolt. About 1/32" (1 mm) downwards, at about a 10° slope (basically just break and smooth the edges). You can also check the pin guide slot in the bolt body for any roughness too.  Just smooth up any noticeable burrs or rough edges.  Add some proper lubrication and you have a much smoother bolt without any binding. Steyr is reportedly implementing this tip on future production.

Bolt guide pin	Location of guide pin in trigger group	Modification

The pin is part of the trigger group. To access the guide pin remove the bolt and put the safety in the "fire" position.  The pin will stick up and can be seen just forward of the sear head. The edges can be beveled with a very fine long stone or diamond file.  Steyr specifically warns against removing the trigger assembly to do this as you will void your warranty.

This tip courtesy Steyr-Mannlicher

Cleaning Supplies Storage

A "Bore Snake" pull through gun bore cleaner fits nicely in the butt stock under the stock spacers if you fold it in properly. Thus stowed you can then carry a small oil bottle, a few patches, 4 & 5 mm Allen wrench for the action screws and the 10 round adapter, a 2.5 mm Allen wrench for the Steyr ring screws, and a short screw driver for the factory mounts, or a Torx head wrench for Leupold scope mounts, a nylon bristle brush with the handle trimmed down a few inches, and a small "Klean Bore" gun cloth with a little room to spare in the pistol grip compartment.  You might also want to stick a set of ear plugs in there too.

The Allen wrench solves the problem of being able to get the stock spacer/butt pad off to get to the "Bore snake".

This tip provided by Jonathan Sabia

Alternative Scope Mount Rings Available From Talley

Talley Manufacturing Company now has available scope rings specifically designed for use with the Steyr Scout. These steel rings are available for both 1" and 30 mm tubes and come in 3 heights; .350" (use with the Leupold scout scope), .450", and .550" (for mounting conventionally positioned scopes). The previously mentioned .300" high rings have been discontinued according to Talley as the .350" work with both the forward mounted and conventionally mounted position. Production versions will feature a matte finish to match the Steyr Scout. The Talley .35" rings will mount the Leupold scout scope approximately .14" higher than the factory Steyr "low" rings.

When installing Talley rings use a drop of Loctite on the screws to prevent them backing out under recoil and check them after shooting several rounds.

For further information contact Dave Talley at:

TALLEY MFG. INC.
9183 OLD NUMBER SIX HWY.
P.O. BOX 369
SANTEE, SC 29142
Voice: (803) 854-5700
Fax: (803) 854-9315
http://www.talleyrings.com/
E-Mail: talley@direcway.com 

If you contact Talley Manufacturing please mention this site.

For more information and photographs of the  Steyr, Leupold, and Talley rings for the Steyr Scout and the Leupold Scout Scope visit the "Leupold" page by clicking here.

"Tactical" Scout Bolt Handle Modifications

The latest "Tactical" Scouts are fitted with a bolt with a more conventional shape and a large round knob.  The ball is about 1 inch and diameter and while it is easy to manipulate some folks feel the knob is a little too big and looks out of proportion to the rifle.  I am investigating making up some additional ones and will post availability here.  However, if you have access to a friendly machinist you can make your own of any size or shape you like. I have found that a knob about .80" to .9" in diameter works just as well and looks better.

Have your friendly machinist make a new knob to your specifications. The threads are standard metric 8 mm Coarse (1.25 mm pitch). Just have your new knob so threaded--use a 6.75 (6.8) mm drill as a tap drill--and you are in business. See below for suggested dimensions.  A shaft length of about .25 - .3" works well.

The round knob bolt handle assemblies are spotty in their availability but you can call Steyr and check.   I occasionally get a couple in so you can click here for possible further information.  

Mounting Steyr Scope Rings

Because of the unusual construction of the Steyr scope rings the factory initially considered a jig for mounting the scope. However, they found it easier to first slide the bases on the mounting rail.  Then align with the cross bolts / slots and apply a little bit of glue on both bearing surfaces and bed the scope on the bases in proper alignment and eye relief while the glue is still soft. Wait until the glue has dried, then slide off the assembly. Apply glue on the contact areas on the top of the scope / rings and clip on the rings, align them and tighten the 4 screws carefully from beneath.

This tip courtesy Steyr-Mannlicher

An alternative method that seems to work well is to place the scope on the rings and tightening them so they'll slide but still stay in place if not bumped too hard, placing everything on the rifle and aligning everything properly. Then very carefully slide the scope and rings off of the rifle and tighten the 8 screws in an alternating pattern all the while checking to make sure everything is square by placing the unit rings down on a flat surface.

This tip courtesy of Mark Avery

Opening the Storage Compartment

The butt stock of the Steyr Scout is fitted with a handy storage compartment in the pistol grip area.  However, it is difficult to open on most guns.  To open it you need to remove the reserve magazine and depress the square "button."  However, the button is quite stiff and you need to either use the tip of a bullet or a screw driver to fully depress it.  It has to be pushed inward a bit and toward the bottom of the pistol grip.  Once removed, inspect the button for burrs and lightly dress all edges of the button and the corresponding edges in the button hole in the stock with a very fine file to smooth up the release.  A very handy place to keep one of those flexible plastic cleaning "rods" and a small bottle of lubricant.

Photo courtesy of Mark Goodall

Handling Light Hit Problems

There have been reports of light hits with certain ammunition (primarily military surplus ammunition).  While most users do not encounter this problem, enough have to warrant its discussion.  Click here to read about solutions.

Easing Bolt Lift

Information on bolt lift is now located on the link dealing with "light hits."  Click here to go to that page.

Trigger Adjustment

I have had numerous requests for the trigger adjustment procedure. However, because of product liability issues (let us give thanks for all the lawyers) the factory and the importers have asked me to refrain from publishing the directions on the Internet. 

The factory setting is 3.5 lb (56 oz) ± .4 lb (7 oz)

While it is nominally "user" adjustable, Steyr states that it should only be done by a qualified gunsmith and if you don't have a clue about what trigger adjustment entails you can screw things up.  They have requested that I obtain a "disclaimer" from anyone that I send the information to.

If you would like a copy of the proper procedure for adjusting the trigger you can email me by clicking here and sending me a disclaimer that states

1. The info will be used for personal, non-commercial use only
2. That you will not give it to anyone else.
3. That you are solely responsible for any damages done by following the information provided.

and I will send you the information via email as an MS Word document.  

If you want a copy of the trigger adjustment, manuals, and some other Steyr documents in MS Word and pdf formats you can request the "Scout manuals package"  send US$10 cash, check, or MO, along with the disclaimer, to

J. C. Schaeferon CD
1365 Saddleback Drive
Cottonwood, AZ 86326
USA

Overseas orders please contact me by clicking here for additional postage charges.

PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR MAIL ADDRESS SO I CAN CONTACT YOU IF I HAVE ANY
ADDRESS PROBLEMS AND TO LET YOU KNOW I HAVE SENT YOUR ORDER.

| Visit Page 2 of Tips & Tricks |

| Scout Scope Specifications |

| Scout Articles In The Gun Press | The Scout "Team" | Ammo Database |

| The Big Bore Scout & .376 Cartridge | The Tactical Scout Rifle | The Steyr Mannlicher Company History |

| Back to Fr. Frog's Home Page |

Email me by clicking here.

Disclaimer

Neither Fr. Frog, the hosting service for these pages, nor this page is officially associated with Steyr Mannlicher nor SteyrUSA. This page provided by Fr. Frog as a service to the friends of Jeff Cooper, the folks Steyr, and the shooting community. Fr. Frog is not responsible for any errors, omissions, nor your inability to hit what you aim at when using this rifle.  As far as I know all the information presented is correct and I have attempted to ensure that it is. However, I am not responsible for any errors, omissions, or damages resulting from the use or misuse of this information, nor for you doing something stupid with it. (Don't you hate these disclaimers? So do I, but there are people out there who refuse to be responsible for their own actions and who will sue anybody to make a buck.)

Updated 2022-90-04 @ 1545