Explore the Path to a Multipurpose Firearm, Specifically, a Range Rifle
The General-Purpose Rifle (GPR), a concept that has been around for decades, has gained renewed interest among shooters and hunters alike. Originating from Lt. Col. Jeff Cooper, founder of the Gunsite firearm training center in Arizona, the GPR is designed to be a short, light, handy, versatile, and utility rifle.
Manufacturers such as Steyr Arms, Savage, Ruger, Mossberg, and Springfield Armory offer a variety of commercially available GPR platforms, both bolt-action and semi-automatic. One of the key advantages of the GPR is its versatility, making it an eminently utilitarian rig that can be employed for various purposes, such as deer hunting or property patrol.
The choice of chambering for a GPR is an important factor. The 7.62 NATO and its commercial analog, the .308 Win., are leading contenders for the world's most versatile, accurate, and available rifle cartridges. For a GPR chambered in .308 Win., a barrel between 16" and 20" is likely required for ballistic efficiency.
The action type will also directly affect the rig's overall weight and dictate how to train with and employ it. A GPR build project can be completed with minimal gunsmithing, using a combination of factory-offered components and aftermarket parts. Middle-of-the-road choices should be considered for barrel profiles and accessories, avoiding specialized or exotic options.
Cooper's original scout rifle was a bolt-action chambered in .308 Win., approximately 1 meter in length and weighing 3 kilograms. It benefited from a sling and iron sights along with a forward-mounted (long-eye-relief) scope. The scout's most distinctive characteristic, a scope mounted forward of the action, seems to be its least appreciated today.
The GPR's basic format, feed method, and capacity will affect its rate of fire and overall form factor. The amount of ammunition needed to accompany a GPR is a contentious issue. Some argue that one spare five-round magazine is enough, while others plan to wear belt or chest rigs that can accommodate multiple 20-rounders.
The ideal weight for a General Purpose Rifle is approximately 10 lbs., with lighter rifles being preferable but coming at a compromise in functionality, features, or durability. The GPR should be robust, with reliable and durable parts easily available for maintenance. Choosing a design with a track record of quality manufacture, trouble-free operation, and longevity is a good hedge against parts breakage.
Above all, the GPR should be a familiar and trusted tool that can be employed with ease by its user. Cooper later outlined "The Scout Rifle" and its roles, describing it as a general-purpose rifle capable of striking a single decisive blow on a live target of up to 200 kilos in weight at any distance at which the operator can shoot with the precision necessary to place a shot in a vital area of the target. Today, the GPR continues to live up to this ideal, offering shooters and hunters a versatile and reliable long-arm for a variety of applications.
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