The Rifle

In the 1980’s legendary firearms instructor Jeff Cooper laid out his vision for a ‘Scout Rifle’, one that “will do equally well for all but specialised hunting, as well as for fighting”. As two of the biggest threats to the lives of Rangers are armed criminals and dangerous game, this was an excellent place to start building a Ranger Rifle, a platform specific to the needs of conservation law enforcement. Cooper’s criteria included:

LENGTH

The entire rifle must measure less than one meter in length, for ease in manoeuvring through thick terrain.

WEIGHT

The ideal weight should be between 3kg and 3.5kg; ergonomic studies of military personnel have shown that when a rifle’s weight increases beyond 3.7kg the user starts to become negatively affected.

ACCURACY

The rifle should be capable of a minimum of 2 MoA (Minutes of Angle), meaning a three-round grouping of 120mm at 200 meters.

CALIBRE

The rifle should be chambered in .308 Winchester, due to its wide applicability and worldwide availability.

BARREL

The ideal barrel length is between 17 and 19 inches, chosen for a compromise between reducing the overall length of the rifle, and still retaining desirable velocity.

ACTION

The rifle should be bolt-action, offering reduced weight and complexity compared to semi-automatics, as well as avoiding the legal issues surrounding semi-automatics in some countries.

OPTICS

The rifle should have an optic of low magnification, providing greater accuracy than iron sights, while still allowing peripheral vision and good situational awareness.

IRON SIGHTS

The rifle should have ghost ring, or peep sight, rear sights, and post/blade front sights.

STOCK

The stock should be synthetic, rather than wooden, with the heel of the butt rounded so as to not catch on a user’s shirt.

MAGAZINE

The rifle should be equipped with a 10 round detachable box magazine.

Cooper’s vision for a Scout Rifle provides an excellent foundation for a firearm that is suited to conservation, but a few more characteristics are needed in order to produce a true, modern Ranger Rifle – one specifically designed for conservation law enforcement.

ADJUSTABLE STOCK LENGTH

Rangers may be required to share their rifle with colleagues, who may be of differing heights and body shapes, requiring a stock that can be rapidly and easily adjusted between users.

PISTOL GRIP

While hunting rifles are often carried at the ‘trail’ (horizontally, at the user’s side), law enforcement officers often carry at the ‘patrol ready’ (muzzle down, stock in the shoulder). A pistol grip and angled foregrip prevent the users hand from being rotated awkwardly while carrying in this position, allows greater control of the rifle while going through magazine changes, and can reduce the amount of felt recoil when firing.

ABILITY TO MOUNT ACCESSORIES

Rangers are often required to work at night, so the M-LOK system on the Ranger Rifle’s chassis allows torches or infra-red designators to be securely attached.

FLASH SUPPRESSOR

While the Scout Rifle doesn’t require a flash suppressor, for law enforcement work there is a clear advantage to the user not being blinded by their own muzzle flash in low light scenarios, or for an opponent shooting at a Ranger to be able to accurately pinpoint their location. The flash suppressor also protects the crown of the muzzle from damage.

UNIQUE VISUAL SIGNATURE

In many regions an armed person in uniform can be a cause for alarm, so the Ranger Rifle has a unique colour and shape that immediately distinguishes it from other common firearms in the field.

Calibre	.308 Winchester
Action	Howa 1500 Bolt Action
Weight	3.4kg (unloaded)
Length	98-104cm
Capacity	10+1 rounds
Barrel	18.5” Cold Hammer Forged Steel
Rifling	1:10 Right Hand Twist
Chassis	7075 Aircraft Aluminium
Trigger	HACT Two-Stage, 3.5lb Pull
Sling Points	Fixed, and Quick Detach (QD)
Accuracy	Capable of 1 MoA at 100 meters

For more detailed information please refer to Steiner, Kurt W. “The Ranger Rifle: An Alternative Firearm for Conservation Law Enforcement”. Armax: The Journal of Contemporary Arms. Vol VIII (2023), No. 2 https://doi.org/10.52357/armax48057

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