Gun writer Jeff Cooper has been rightfully credited with popularizing the "Scout Rifle" concept, thanks to his coverage of such rifles through the 1980s. Rifles of that type have been around for decades, in a variety of short and fast handling bolt-action, semi-auto and even lever-action models that can deliver a high rate of fire, and which can be quickly reloaded - yet still offer a dependable degree of accuracy. Scout rifle shooters looking to fully tap that capability are turning to low magnification scopes mounted forward of the receiver.