Savage 110 Scout At The Range (Finally)

DPris · June 22, 2018, 12:39 PM

Yesterday, finally.

Package deal from a Vista contact: rifle, scope, rings, 5 different Federal .308 loads (two 165s, three 150s).

Off the bench at 100 yards, 3-5 MPH winds, 95 degrees, scout scope dialed to lowest setting, it was probably a 1.5-inch average for three-shot groups, with one load putting three shots inside an inch.

Respectable for a utility rifle.
Easy shooter, the brake & soft rubber recoil pad make a difference.

Still think the mag latch spring should be stronger, and if I were keeping the gun I'd have it replaced.
Would also shorten the latch lever.
It held during shooting, but got accidentally nudged at one point.
Less stick-out & more spring pressure indicated.

I probably would keep the gun, if it had a flush mag, or a blind mag bottom metal.
I dislike large mags sticking out at the natural balance point for carry on foot.

Otherwise, with adjustable stock length & comb, a good buy.
Much more gun than their first two attempts.
Denis

PlatinumCore16 · June 22, 2018, 03:21 PM

As I also have a Savage scout, I am curious if you found this an issue:
When using the 10rd mag, mine latched thoroughly, but could be rocked backwards a tad. If it was rocked backwards, the bolt would catch on the back of the feed lips and prevent the bolt from being pushed forward. Did you also see this?

DPris · June 22, 2018, 08:08 PM

I didn't encounter it in use, but deliberately trying to duplicate it I can push up & back on the mag to cause the bolt to be slightly blocked by the mag.

It doesn't catch the bolt entirely, I can still run the bolt forward, but I have to use some effort to override the mag.

I wouldn't see that as being much of an issue in firing, unless you were resting the rifle on the mag to shoot it.

Were you?
How did you notice that?

There's definitely some play in the mag, but it hangs low enough when not pressured by anything to cycle without resistance.
Denis

FrankenMauser · June 22, 2018, 10:37 PM

What was the scope?

DPris · June 23, 2018, 12:46 AM

You had to ask....Hang on, lemme see if I can find the box.
Uh....Bushnell Trophy 2-7x 36mm Multi-X Scout 8-Inch Eye Relief.
Denis

FrankenMauser · June 23, 2018, 03:20 AM

Ewww.

Replace it with a Tasco and group size may shrink by 50%.

(Yes, my opinion of Bushnell is that low.)

DPris · June 23, 2018, 10:47 AM

I doubt I could shoot much tighter than that with better optics.

Denis

DPris · June 23, 2018, 11:24 AM

Having given this some more thought, I'll explain why.

When I use a scope in accuracy testing, normally I do it at a 100-yard range, on the same sized black bulls, with the lowest power setting.

If a standard X-plex reticle, I center the crosshairs in the middle of the black bull, and do my best to hold still enough to keep it there.

The quality of a given optic is more important in the field than it is at the range, for me.

The clarity of the image at distance, and the brightness of the image (light transmission), are more important in allowing me to SEE the entire picture on whatever I'm looking for or at, in the field.

Since at the range I only have to see a contrasting black dot of known standard size against a white background, at a standard distance, I don't think I could have shot any tighter with $3000 glass than I did with the Bushnell, in that setting.

Clarity & light transmission were both fine there.
Trying to differentiate between a buck & a doe in brush at 400 yards, you might want something better.
Or, for general use to 300 yards on a general-purpose rifle, the Bushnell could be just fine.

Denis

Don Fischer · June 23, 2018, 12:12 PM

It's a scout scope. I have no idea what that is!

A 2-7x Bushnell? What make's it a scout scope?

DPris · June 23, 2018, 12:25 PM

8 inches of eye relief that allow placing it forward on the rifle.
Denis

Don Fischer · June 23, 2018, 01:51 PM

Ah. Like a pistol scope. Met a guy in Alaska had a 8x57 he'd mounted on the barrel, really fast for picking up a target!

bamaranger · June 23, 2018, 02:44 PM

Well, technically a "scout scope" will have intermediate eye relief, and a pistol scope will have "long eye relief......IER versus LER. Some pistol scopes will work forward of the magazine mounted in "scout" fashion, and I suppose there are some IER's that will work as pistol scopes. .....maybe.

I have two Burris 2-7x scopes, one sold and labeled as a scoutscope, the other is definitely sold/labeled as a handgun scope. The pistol scope works fine at the IER distance. I could loose the ballisti-plex crosshairs on both of them for a standard duplex, and not be disappointed.

One issue I have had with IER scopes is seeing the crosshairs in low light. I fixed that in a Leupold 2.75x Scout by having a chunky German #1 reticle installed. You can see that thing way past most legal shooting hours. I test it against my deer 3D archery target from our porch....the German #1 is easier to see than all my cross hair scopes.

But the 2.75x Leupold did not allow counting points on deer management clubs and state lands so managed, and I felt it handicapped shooting groups and measuring accuracy provided with different loads. The switch to the variables adds some longer range versatility to my early Savage scout. The other 2-7x is on a Garand. I hunted them last season and was not overly disapppointed in the evenings as light waned. I felt more confident on ROW's and longish food plots with more X power too.

Ready for this........the 2.75X with the German #1 went on an AK!!!!!! Old man Klashnikov, and Garand are rolling in their graves.

agtman · June 24, 2018, 12:22 PM

Quote:

But the 2.75x Leupold did not allow counting points on deer management clubs and state lands so managed, and I felt it handicapped shooting groups and measuring accuracy provided with different loads. The switch to the variables adds some longer range versatility to my early Savage scout. The other 2-7x is on a Garand. I hunted them last season and was not overly disapppointed in the evenings as light waned. I felt more confident on ROW's and longish food plots with more X power too.

You know, as much as I tried to like a variable scout scope, I always shot better with a fixed power SS that was zero-ed for a specific range - say, 2" high at 100yds.

The three fixed-power SSs I have experience with: 2.5 Leupy; 2.75 Burris: 4x Weaver.

Currently, I have the Burris on two Mini-G Scouts, and the Weaver is on a Mossberg Scout. Sold the Leupy. Nothing wrong with it, I just seemed to shoot better with the others. All the scopes are mounted in low Leupy QRWs.

bamaranger · June 24, 2018, 06:15 PM

Once I put the #1 in the 2.75x Leupold, I thought I was sold on the rig. I zeroed just as you describe, 2" high at 100 and lived with it. I hunted it a good bit, killed a few deer with it, and it conformed to the low power theory as proposed initially with the Scoutscope concept. The 2.75x Leupold is lighter than the 2-7x Burris, and I can mount it lower as well. I really was not dissatisfied. I actually put a 2-7x on the Savage, and pulled it off to put on the Garand, and went back to the fixed 2.75x Leupold on the Savage. I've posted positively on that rig here on several occasions. As I said, I liked the rig.

I ran up on a killer deal on the second Burris 2-7x and decided I would try it again on the Savage. I'm not sold on it yet, but the higher magnification seems a plus in open areas and I believe I could pick deer/targets farther out more distinctly. With the bigger bells on the Burris, I think at lower power, (2.75-4/5x) it is a tad brighter than the Leupold in dim light. The Burris Ballistiplex is no way as visible as the German #1 in the Leupold.

The Leupold on the AK is a hoot,and I shoot that clunker better than ever with the scoutscope, but what I probably need to do is get second set of detach rings for the Leupold and set the 2.75x back on it, and get a quality dot for the AK.

stagpanther · June 24, 2018, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Replace it with a Tasco and group size may shrink by 50%.

Nothing is THAT bad--I once got a tasco to fall apart just by staring at it in the display case.

DPris · June 24, 2018, 09:58 PM

Had a pair of Tasco binocs at work years ago, bought when I couldn't afford a real pair.

Every time I needed to use 'em I had to bend 'em back into alignment, which would hold till I needed 'em again.

Last day of work, clearing out the company car, they went into the garbage.

Different people selling them now, but the impression lingers on.
Denis

PlatinumCore16 · June 25, 2018, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DPris

I didn't encounter it in use, but deliberately trying to duplicate it I can push up & back on the mag to cause the bolt to be slightly blocked by the mag.

It doesn't catch the bolt entirely, I can still run the bolt forward, but I have to use some effort to override the mag.

I wouldn't see that as being much of an issue in firing, unless you were resting the rifle on the mag to shoot it.

Were you?
How did you notice that?

There's definitely some play in the mag, but it hangs low enough when not pressured by anything to cycle without resistance.
Denis

Yes, I found that it would completely block the bolt from moving forward.
I found it by making sure the magazine was as far in as it could be as I thought it would fall out otherwise.
I'm glad to hear yours isn't as large of an issue.

On the subject of scopes, I'm running the Leatherwood 2-7 and I like it so far, but the rings came loose the first time shooting it and I retightened with lock tight/a good torque wrench, but haven't gotten back to the range yet. I like the ability to zoom, but I think I might like a fixed power in certian situations. Need another scope to give it a try, though.

DPris · June 25, 2018, 09:50 AM

I've always used a fixed Scout on previous Savage Scouts, and I think in an adjustable Scout scope I'd probably keep it on a low setting.

I'm way too old to do the both-eyes-open trick, but I'd leave this one on its lowest setting anyway.
Lose too much field of view cranking it up, slows down target acquisition.

I can lay the rifle on the kitchen table resting entirely on the mag & still run the bolt.
I can feel it meet the mag, but with a little effort it overrides.

I wouldn't ordinarily be resting the rifle on its magazine, and it's not a bolt-stopper in this sample if I did, so it may be a minor issue varying from either mag to mag or rifle to rifle.
Denis

PlatinumCore16 · June 25, 2018, 05:59 PM

I would like a flush mag anyways, so I will see if they give me the same fits.

DPris · June 25, 2018, 06:21 PM

Yep- me too.
Denis

Model12Win · June 25, 2018, 09:09 PM

I'm interested in a scout style defensive .308 bolt gun that I can use for hunting too. I like the 110 Scout!

PlatinumCore16 · June 26, 2018, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Model12Win

I'm interested in a scout style defensive .308 bolt gun that I can use for hunting too. I like the 110 Scout!

Would recommend that if you were going to go that route, you might think about taking off the break. It adds a good 2 inches on and a whooole lotta noise, though it does wonders on recoil. Idk how long your arms are, but if you could get used to the stock without all of the spacers, you could have a real nice, short, handy bolt action rifle. Even put a red dot on the forward mount if you wanted something real quick.

DPris · June 26, 2018, 12:04 PM

The brake noise is position-variable.

As the shooter, I've not noticed a problem directly behind brakes.

When I shot this one it was under a canopy that tends to aggravate the sound levels overall.
I didn't notice anything unusual.

Off to either side, probably, but not straight behind it.
The gun is a very light shooter, between the brake and the soft recoil pad.
Denis

June 22, 2018, 10:37 PM	#4
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,424	What was the scope? __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.

June 23, 2018, 03:20 AM	#6
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,424	Ewww. Replace it with a Tasco and group size may shrink by 50%. (Yes, my opinion of Bushnell is that low.) __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.

June 23, 2018, 02:44 PM	#12
bamaranger Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2009 Location: North Alabama Posts: 8,308	sort of Well, technically a "scout scope" will have intermediate eye relief, and a pistol scope will have "long eye relief......IER versus LER. Some pistol scopes will work forward of the magazine mounted in "scout" fashion, and I suppose there are some IER's that will work as pistol scopes. .....maybe. I have two Burris 2-7x scopes, one sold and labeled as a scoutscope, the other is definitely sold/labeled as a handgun scope. The pistol scope works fine at the IER distance. I could loose the ballisti-plex crosshairs on both of them for a standard duplex, and not be disappointed. One issue I have had with IER scopes is seeing the crosshairs in low light. I fixed that in a Leupold 2.75x Scout by having a chunky German #1 reticle installed. You can see that thing way past most legal shooting hours. I test it against my deer 3D archery target from our porch....the German #1 is easier to see than all my cross hair scopes. But the 2.75x Leupold did not allow counting points on deer management clubs and state lands so managed, and I felt it handicapped shooting groups and measuring accuracy provided with different loads. The switch to the variables adds some longer range versatility to my early Savage scout. The other 2-7x is on a Garand. I hunted them last season and was not overly disapppointed in the evenings as light waned. I felt more confident on ROW's and longish food plots with more X power too. Ready for this........the 2.75X with the German #1 went on an AK!!!!!! Old man Klashnikov, and Garand are rolling in their graves.

June 24, 2018, 06:15 PM	#14
bamaranger Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2009 Location: North Alabama Posts: 8,308	agree, sort of Once I put the #1 in the 2.75x Leupold, I thought I was sold on the rig. I zeroed just as you describe, 2" high at 100 and lived with it. I hunted it a good bit, killed a few deer with it, and it conformed to the low power theory as proposed initially with the Scoutscope concept. The 2.75x Leupold is lighter than the 2-7x Burris, and I can mount it lower as well. I really was not dissatisfied. I actually put a 2-7x on the Savage, and pulled it off to put on the Garand, and went back to the fixed 2.75x Leupold on the Savage. I've posted positively on that rig here on several occasions. As I said, I liked the rig. I ran up on a killer deal on the second Burris 2-7x and decided I would try it again on the Savage. I'm not sold on it yet, but the higher magnification seems a plus in open areas and I believe I could pick deer/targets farther out more distinctly. With the bigger bells on the Burris, I think at lower power, (2.75-4/5x) it is a tad brighter than the Leupold in dim light. The Burris Ballistiplex is no way as visible as the German #1 in the Leupold. The Leupold on the AK is a hoot,and I shoot that clunker better than ever with the scoutscope, but what I probably need to do is get second set of detach rings for the Leupold and set the 2.75x back on it, and get a quality dot for the AK.

June 22, 2018, 12:39 PM	#1
DPris Member Emeritus Join Date: August 19, 2004 Posts: 7,133	Savage 110 Scout At The Range (Finally) Yesterday, finally. Package deal from a Vista contact: rifle, scope, rings, 5 different Federal .308 loads (two 165s, three 150s). Off the bench at 100 yards, 3-5 MPH winds, 95 degrees, scout scope dialed to lowest setting, it was probably a 1.5-inch average for three-shot groups, with one load putting three shots inside an inch. Respectable for a utility rifle. Easy shooter, the brake & soft rubber recoil pad make a difference. Still think the mag latch spring should be stronger, and if I were keeping the gun I'd have it replaced. Would also shorten the latch lever. It held during shooting, but got accidentally nudged at one point. Less stick-out & more spring pressure indicated. I probably would keep the gun, if it had a flush mag, or a blind mag bottom metal. I dislike large mags sticking out at the natural balance point for carry on foot. Otherwise, with adjustable stock length & comb, a good buy. Much more gun than their first two attempts. Denis

June 22, 2018, 03:21 PM	#2
PlatinumCore16 Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2017 Location: Colorado Posts: 424	As I also have a Savage scout, I am curious if you found this an issue: When using the 10rd mag, mine latched thoroughly, but could be rocked backwards a tad. If it was rocked backwards, the bolt would catch on the back of the feed lips and prevent the bolt from being pushed forward. Did you also see this?

June 22, 2018, 08:08 PM	#3
DPris Member Emeritus Join Date: August 19, 2004 Posts: 7,133	I didn't encounter it in use, but deliberately trying to duplicate it I can push up & back on the mag to cause the bolt to be slightly blocked by the mag. It doesn't catch the bolt entirely, I can still run the bolt forward, but I have to use some effort to override the mag. I wouldn't see that as being much of an issue in firing, unless you were resting the rifle on the mag to shoot it. Were you? How did you notice that? There's definitely some play in the mag, but it hangs low enough when not pressured by anything to cycle without resistance. Denis

June 23, 2018, 12:46 AM	#5
DPris Member Emeritus Join Date: August 19, 2004 Posts: 7,133	You had to ask....Hang on, lemme see if I can find the box. Uh....Bushnell Trophy 2-7x 36mm Multi-X Scout 8-Inch Eye Relief. Denis

June 23, 2018, 10:47 AM	#7
DPris Member Emeritus Join Date: August 19, 2004 Posts: 7,133	I doubt I could shoot much tighter than that with better optics. Denis

June 23, 2018, 11:24 AM	#8
DPris Member Emeritus Join Date: August 19, 2004 Posts: 7,133	Having given this some more thought, I'll explain why. When I use a scope in accuracy testing, normally I do it at a 100-yard range, on the same sized black bulls, with the lowest power setting. If a standard X-plex reticle, I center the crosshairs in the middle of the black bull, and do my best to hold still enough to keep it there. The quality of a given optic is more important in the field than it is at the range, for me. The clarity of the image at distance, and the brightness of the image (light transmission), are more important in allowing me to SEE the entire picture on whatever I'm looking for or at, in the field. Since at the range I only have to see a contrasting black dot of known standard size against a white background, at a standard distance, I don't think I could have shot any tighter with $3000 glass than I did with the Bushnell, in that setting. Clarity & light transmission were both fine there. Trying to differentiate between a buck & a doe in brush at 400 yards, you might want something better. Or, for general use to 300 yards on a general-purpose rifle, the Bushnell could be just fine. Denis

June 23, 2018, 12:12 PM	#9
Don Fischer Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2017 Posts: 1,868	It's a scout scope. I have no idea what that is! A 2-7x Bushnell? What make's it a scout scope?

June 23, 2018, 12:25 PM	#10
DPris Member Emeritus Join Date: August 19, 2004 Posts: 7,133	8 inches of eye relief that allow placing it forward on the rifle. Denis

June 23, 2018, 01:51 PM	#11
Don Fischer Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2017 Posts: 1,868	Ah. Like a pistol scope. Met a guy in Alaska had a 8x57 he'd mounted on the barrel, really fast for picking up a target!

June 24, 2018, 09:58 PM	#16
DPris Member Emeritus Join Date: August 19, 2004 Posts: 7,133	Had a pair of Tasco binocs at work years ago, bought when I couldn't afford a real pair. Every time I needed to use 'em I had to bend 'em back into alignment, which would hold till I needed 'em again. Last day of work, clearing out the company car, they went into the garbage. Different people selling them now, but the impression lingers on. Denis

June 25, 2018, 09:50 AM	#18
DPris Member Emeritus Join Date: August 19, 2004 Posts: 7,133	I've always used a fixed Scout on previous Savage Scouts, and I think in an adjustable Scout scope I'd probably keep it on a low setting. I'm way too old to do the both-eyes-open trick, but I'd leave this one on its lowest setting anyway. Lose too much field of view cranking it up, slows down target acquisition. I can lay the rifle on the kitchen table resting entirely on the mag & still run the bolt. I can feel it meet the mag, but with a little effort it overrides. I wouldn't ordinarily be resting the rifle on its magazine, and it's not a bolt-stopper in this sample if I did, so it may be a minor issue varying from either mag to mag or rifle to rifle. Denis

June 25, 2018, 05:59 PM	#19
PlatinumCore16 Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2017 Location: Colorado Posts: 424	I would like a flush mag anyways, so I will see if they give me the same fits.

June 25, 2018, 06:21 PM	#20
DPris Member Emeritus Join Date: August 19, 2004 Posts: 7,133	Yep- me too. Denis

June 25, 2018, 09:09 PM	#21
Model12Win Junior member Join Date: October 20, 2012 Posts: 5,854	I'm interested in a scout style defensive .308 bolt gun that I can use for hunting too. I like the 110 Scout!

June 26, 2018, 12:04 PM	#23
DPris Member Emeritus Join Date: August 19, 2004 Posts: 7,133	The brake noise is position-variable. As the shooter, I've not noticed a problem directly behind brakes. When I shot this one it was under a canopy that tends to aggravate the sound levels overall. I didn't notice anything unusual. Off to either side, probably, but not straight behind it. The gun is a very light shooter, between the brake and the soft recoil pad. Denis