Creighton Greene & Trent McMurtrey: Scout Arms

BUILDING THE ULTIMATE HUNTING RIFLE: THE STORY OF SCOUT AND THE PURSUIT OF PERFECTION 

On this episode of The Ryan McMillan Show, we sat down with the founders of Scout, a Montana-based precision rifle company dedicated to crafting high-performance hunting and tactical rifles. From their humble beginnings in a garage to a prime location in Bozeman, MT, the Scout team has built a reputation for innovation, precision, and a deep respect for the hunting lifestyle. 

THE BIRTH OF SCOUT: FROM MILITARY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT TO CUSTOM RIFLES Scout was founded by two veterans of the firearms industry—one a former Marine Corps Scout Sniper and the other an expert in the mechanics of precision shooting. Their journey started after years of working in law enforcement, military operations, and firearms manufacturing. Their motivation? Frustration with off-the-shelf rifles that never quite met their expectations. They wanted a firearm that was lightweight, durable, and capable of extreme accuracy in real-world hunting conditions. "We were buying rifles, but they weren’t truly what we wanted," they said. "So we decided to build our own—something second to none, with attention to detail, fit, finish, and performance." 

THE MONTANA MOVE AND STARTING FROM SCRATCH Starting a business is never easy, and Scout was no exception. One of the founders moved his family from Georgia to Montana, only to find himself without a job and staring at an uncertain future. But adversity has a way of forging strong minds. "It forced us to move forward with the idea. I was in Clyde Park, MT—population 300—with no job and no real opportunities. So we took the risk, and Scout was born." The first Scout rifles were built in an unheated garage, with five space heaters struggling to keep the Montana winter at bay. Fast-forward four years, and the company is now inside Schnee’s, a premier outfitter in downtown Bozeman. 

WHAT MAKES A SCOUT RIFLE DIFFERENT? Scout specializes in ultra-light, long-range precision rifles designed for mountain hunters. While they offer competition and tactical rifles, their bread and butter is the hunting market. Every rifle is custom-built based on the customer’s needs, with careful consideration of caliber, barrel length, weight, and shooting conditions. "If a customer says, ‘I hunt everything from antelope to moose,’ we build them something that can do both efficiently—like a 7mm PRC that can handle lightweight bullets for smaller game but also deliver the energy needed for big animals." Customers are not just buying a rifle off the shelf; they’re getting a firearm tailored to their exact specifications. 

PUSHING THE BOUNDARIES: THE FUTURE OF FIREARMS TECHNOLOGY Scout is constantly evolving, working on proprietary rifle actions and adopting cutting-edge materials like titanium-structured barrels. These new barrels promise to be even lighter and more rigid than carbon fiber while maintaining exceptional heat dispersion. "The industry has changed so much in the last 10–15 years. If you’re not innovating, you’re already behind. That’s why we’re pushing into titanium and our own custom actions—to stay ahead of the curve." They've also built strong relationships with suppliers to ensure consistency in quality, with brands like Grayboe providing precision stocks and Osprey delivering high-quality barrels. 

HUNTING AS A WAY OF LIFE More than just making rifles, Scout embodies the hunting lifestyle. The founders don’t just build guns; they live the experience, pushing deep into the mountains to test their equipment under real hunting conditions. "We don’t just send a rifle out the door. We take them to the range, verify their performance, and ensure they hold zero. Every rifle is guaranteed to shoot at least 1/2 MOA, and if it doesn’t, we start over." They also host the Precision Hunter Development (PhD) Course, a training program designed to extend a hunter’s effective range while reinforcing ethical hunting practices. "Just because you can shoot 1,000 yards doesn’t mean you should. We teach shooters to understand their limitations, improve their skills, and ensure they make ethical shots when the moment comes." 

MONTANA, BOZEMAN, AND THE CHANGING CULTURE Bozeman, MT, has changed drastically over the years, with an influx of new residents altering the traditional ranching and hunting culture. However, companies like Scout and Schnee’s are working hard to keep the town’s roots alive. "We’re manufacturing precision rifles on Main Street in Bozeman, in a place that used to be a gunsmithing shop 100 years ago. We’re keeping that tradition alive." 

HUNTING: MORE THAN JUST A SPORT For the Scout team, hunting isn’t just about the kill—it’s about the responsibility, the respect for nature, and the camaraderie that comes with the hunt. They emphasize the importance of teaching the next generation about ethical hunting and the deeper meaning behind harvesting an animal. "It’s not about just shooting something. It’s about providing for your family, understanding the effort and respect that comes with taking an animal’s life, and passing that knowledge down to our kids." This mindset is what drives their passion for building rifles—not just as tools but as instruments of precision, discipline, and responsibility. 

THE FUTURE OF SCOUT With their business growing, new innovations on the horizon, and a firm foothold in Bozeman, Scout is poised to continue making some of the best precision hunting rifles on the market. "We started in a garage with space heaters, and now we’re in one of the best locations in Montana, inside Schnee’s. The next step is continuing to push the envelope with new materials, new designs, and helping hunters take their game to the next level." For hunters, precision shooters, and those who demand the best, Scout isn’t just another rifle company—it’s a movement.