The Steyr Scout Database

This page is devoted to the performance of the Steyr Scout rifle as determined from my own testing and testing or field experience reported to me by others. Data will be added as it is received. All performance data supplied to me by others is believed to be accurate but that fact is not guaranteed. Please note that your own results may vary.

If you have data you wish to share you can email it by clicking here. . For accuracy data please supply distance fired at, number of shots per group, and number of groups fired. For handloads please supply bullet type and weight, powder type and charge weight, case brand, primer brand and type, and overall length and the average weight of 3 cases without primers. If available please supply velocity data.

Ammunition/Load	Range	# Rds per group	# Grps Fired	Max/Min/Avg Group	Comments
Hornady 150 gr Light Magnum (#8590)	100	3	4	1.1/.47/.82	Hornady factory test results
Hornady 150 gr Light Magnum (#8590)	200	3	1	3.2
Federal 168 gr Match	100	3	10	1.6/.37/.87	composite data from many sources
Federal 168 gr Match	200	5	8	2.5/1.4/1.9	composite data from many sources
Federal 168 gr Match	200	18	1	2.68	18 rds shot on one target
Federal 168 gr Match	300m	5	1	2.0
Samson/IMI 168 gr Match	100	3	1	.68
Fed Premium 165 gr Trophy Bonded	100	3	1	.87
Fed Premium 165 gr TB High Energy	100	3	1	3.0
Fed Premium 165 gr TB High Energy	200	3	1	1.5	Note difference in group size fromm 100 yds (stability problems?)
Fed Premium 180 gr Trophy Bonded	100	3	1	1.0
Fed Premium 180 gr TB High Energy	100	3	1	2.0
Rem 150 gr CoreLokt SP	100	3	1	1.0
Win 150 gr SilverTip SP	100	3	1	2.4
Rem/UMC 150 gr "Ball"	100	3	1	1.25
Win 147gr "Ball"	100	3	1	1.2
Hand load Horn 165 gr Match	100	3	1	1.0	45gr 748/Fed primers V=2600
Hand load Nosler 165 gr BT	100	3	1	.94	45gr 748/Fed primers V=2600
Fed 150 gr "Ball"	100	3	2	1.44/.95/1.2
"Mex Match" 168 gr Sierra	100	3	3	1.6/1.2/1.3	LC M118 lot 60-20 w/ Sierra
Norma Jaktmatch 150 gr	100	3	3	1.0
Winchester Failsafe 180 gr	100	3	3	.85
Winchester Failsafe 180 gr	200	5	1	2.0	4 rds into .88
Remington 150 gr SP	100	5	>2	sub moa	under 1" consistently
Georgia Arms 168 gr Match G308M	100	3	1	.27	Best group recorded from Steyr Scout
Georgia Arms 168 gr Match G308M	100	5	2	<=.5"	Another outstanding performance
Sako Range 123 gr Match	100M	5	1	18 mm	That's a .71" group at 100 M

Below is a picture of what I believe to be the best group fired from the Steyr Scout so far. It was fired on 1998-12-26 by Sue Hildebrandt using the bipod and the prone position. She reports that the rifle was simply removed from the box, the bore wiped with a dry patch, and then fired using the factory sight settings. The group measures .27" for 3 shots and was 2" above the aim point--very close to the perfect zero for a .308. The ammunition was Georgia Arms 168 gr Match.

Here is another super 5-shot group. It was fired by Niko Visuri of Finland at 100 m with Steyr Scout .308 Jeff Cooper package and measured (18 mm). Ammunition was Sako "Range" .308 Win Ammo, #120A (123 grs full jacket bullet with a listed muzzle velocity of 900 m/s (2950 f/s).

You may notice that some of these figures seem high for a 19" barrel, but they are the actual data. The hammer forged Steyr barrels are very smooth and higher than normal velocities seem to be the norm. Also see loading data below.

All loading data presented here was safe in the firearm tested and under the conditions tested. Since neither Steyr Mannlicher, SteyrUSA, nor Fr. Frog has any control over the manufacture of the various components listed, the actual loading, nor the components you actually use, no responsibility for the use of this data is implied or assumed. Safe reloading practice dictates that you reduce all stated loads by 10 percent and carefully work upwards. Note that Norma cases have substantially greater case volume than most US cases and stated velocities may not be achievable.

Bullet	Case	Primer	Powder	Charge	OAL	Velocity	Accuracy
165 gr Hornady Match	RP	Fed	748	45	unk	2600	MOA
168 gr Sierra MK	n/a	Fed BR	748	43.5	unk	unk	sub MOA
168 gr Sierra MK	n/a	n/a	IMR 4895	40.0			sub MOA
150 gr Lapua LB	Lapua	Fed 210	N-540	49.1		2830	¾ MOA
168 gr Sierra MK	Lapua	Fed 210	N-140	43.0		2465	Not stated
167 gr Lapua Scenar	Norma*	Fed 210	N-550	49		2660	¾ MOA
Norma Oryx 180 gr	Norma*	Fed 210	N-550	50		2630	¾ MOA
Nosler 165 gr Bal Tip	Rem	Fed GM210M	BL-C(2)	46.5	2.832	unk	sub MOA (5 shot)
165 gr Hornady SPBT	Fed Match	Fed 210M	Varget	45.5	2.80	2700	sub MOA
165 gr Hornady SPBT	Fed Match	Fed 210M	N-140	45.0	2.80	2700	sub MOA
165 gr Hornady SPBT	Fed Match	Fed 210M	N-140	45.5	2.80	2750	MOA
125 gr Nosler Bal Tip	Fed Match	Fed 210M	N-140	48.5		2990	sub MOA
180 gr Hornady SPBT	Fed Match	Fed 210M	N-550	46.0		2611	sub MOA
168 gr Hornady A-Max	Fed Match	Fed 210M	N-140	42.5	2.80	na	sub MOA

* Note: Norma cases are very light and hold about 1.4 gr more than Federal or Lapua

Ideally the best zeroing range to use is the one that gives you the longest "point blank" range. However, that figure is dependent upon what you consider to be an acceptable "critical zone" (the diameter of your lethal zone on your target). Most people use a zone of 6" which means ± 3" on the line of sight.

For .308 Winchester ammunition using 150 to 165gr bullets a good zero range is about 225 yards (216 meters) which puts the point of impact at 100 yards at about 2.8 inches above the point of aim (a hair under 3 inches (7.6cm) at 100 meters). This will keep the actual point of impact within ± 3" out to about 265 yards (242 meters) and put you about 7" (18cm) low at 300 yards (274 meters) and about 2 feet low (61cm) at 400 yards (365 meters). You can use one of the many ballistics programs available to compute trajectories for your ammunition.

You should refine your data by test firing but you'll probably be close to these figures. The sight height for the Steyr Scout is 1.4 inches. Addition information on zeroing the Steyr Scout and a handy zeroing target (in MS Word format) designed for the heavy factory reticle can be accessed by clicking here.

If you are interested in learning more about the subject of ballistics or zeroing you can click here to go to Fr. Frog's home page and visit the Ballistics pages.

Another(!) Disclaimer

Neither Fr. Frog, the hosting service for these pages, nor this page is officially associated with Steyr Mannlicher or 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.)

And, as stated in the loading data section, all loading data presented here was safe in the firearm tested and under the conditions tested. Since neither Steyr Mannlicher, SteyrUSA, nor Fr. Frog has any control over the manufacture of the various components listed, the actual loading, nor the components you actually use, no responsibility for the use of this data is implied or assumed. Safe reloading practice dictates that you reduce all stated loads by 10 percent and carefully work upwards. Note that Norma cases have substantially greater case volume than most US cases and stated velocities may not be achievable.

Ammunition/Load	Temp	# Rds per group	# Grps Fired	Avg Vel	Comments
Hornady 150 gr Light Magnum (#8590)	unk	3	4	2835	Hornady factory test data
Federal 168 gr Match	78	5	3	2600
Hornady 165 gr Light Magnum (#8595)	78	5	1	2755
Norma Jaktmatch 150 gr	unk	unk	unk	2589
Federal High Energy 180 gr	unk	unk	unk	2651