Decided on Savage 10FP w/ 24" Barrel

[montemon]

I finally decided on a Savage bolt 10FP .308 w/24" barrel, I'll probably order it next week. Thanks for all the comments and suggestions from my previous post.

It seems the consensus on scope is don't go cheap so I'm spending a little more on the scope than I originally planned. Decided to go with the “Bushnell Elite 3200†5-15x50. Good choice? I’ll be using it for target shooting at 100 yards most of the time but farther if I can find a range in my area.

How difficult is it to attach the scope? Any special skills or tools needed? Any recommendations on mounts and rings? Thanks!

 

[dakotasin]

leupold rings and bases. they come w/ their own torx wrench. other than that, you will need a crescent wrench to twist in the ring. do not use the scope for this, and do not buy the leupold ring wrench.

also, most gunshops will mount your scope for free if you buy either the gun or the scope thru them. might have them do it for ya.

 

[ocabj]

Most bases use a Torx head style screw (worst case a hex head). The Leupold bases come with the Torx tool, but I would avoid the Leupold STD bases if you plan on precision shooting (go with Badger or Ken Farrell).

If you have an inch pounds torque wrench, you'll want to go 25 in/lb for the base to receiver screws, and 15 in/lb for the rings. If you don't have an inch pounds torque wrench, most people use the 'L' shaped Torx/allen wrench by holding the small end and using the long end to screw in the base. Then hand tighten. Your fingers will hurt from the torque you're putting on it since you're going to be holding the small end. That's considered tight enough. Be sure to use blue Loctite on the base to receiver screws. Do not Loctite your rings together.

When you drop the scope in, keep the rings a little loose and move the scope forward and rearward while you verify your cheekweld to the rifle. Find the best position for your scope to your typical cheekweld. Make sure you mount the scope with proper eye relief without having to change your weld.

For a quick boresight, you can remove your bolt and firmly benchrest the rifle at the range. Look through the barrel from the rear and line up the rifle such that you are aiming the barrel right at your target. Make sure you keep it still. Then adjust your elevation and windage accordingly until your recticle is on the barrel's point of aim. This isn't perfect, but should get you on paper at 100, and definitely at 50.

 

[Quintin Likely]

Another way to install the rings into the base if you do go with the standard Leupolds is with a broomhandle. Bolt the rings together loosely, stick the end of the broomhandle in between them and twist.

I don't know if Badger makes a base for a short action Savage. There's nothing terribly wrong with the regular Leupold base and rings, but if you want to go waaayyyy out there, your scope of choice may not have enough internal elevation adjustment to make it out there (think like 1000 yards or so) so a Picatinney style base like the Badger system with a 20 MOA cant will be necessary. I use a standard Leupold 1 piece base on two of my bolt guns with satisfactory results, although I'm probably gonna go to the Badger setup on my M700 whenever I get another scope for it, probably a Leupold LR M1 or M3.

And re. scopes: Generally, you get what you pay for. I've got a Tasco 3x9x40 "World Class" on my Savage 10FP, and while it does what I want it to, it doesn't hold a candle to the Leupold Vari-X III I've got on my M700. My next scope will probably be another Leupold, one of their LR models, or a Nikon Tactical.

-Quintin

 

[montemon]

It’s amazing how much information I’ve learned in the last couple of weeks about rifles and optics by searching through The Highroad posts and by people’s suggestions and comments. Obviously I still have a lot to learn but, thanks to the friendly people here, I think I’m on the right track.

As for Leupold rings, should I go with the med height or low? Also, I’ve looked at the Leupold web sight and they list 1 piece mounts for the Savage models 10 thru 16 with the sporty barrel; I assume this would fit the 10FP.

I think I changed my mind about the scope again. So many people here praise the Leupold for their quality; after doing more research, I now want to get the Leupold Rifleman scope (may go with the 3-9x40 to save some bucks)…that’s of course if I don’t change my mind before ordering tomorrow.

 

[Quintin Likely]

Ring height depends on the size of the objective bell on the scope. Ideally, you want the scope to be mounted as low as possible without touching the barrel. Medium rings clear anything up to a 44mm objective, 50mm or bigger usually require high rings. Unless you're going to be doing a lot of shooting at dusk or in low light conditions, I'd stick with a 40-44mm objective.

And do a little more checking on the mounts, if your Savage has the Accutrigger, I don't think standard 10FP mounts will work, since the receiver is shaped a little differently.

-Quintin

 

[ocabj]

Yes, you must aware that there is a difference between the non-Accutrigger and the Accutrigger receivers. Here's a link to the Savage FAQ for scope mounts: http://www.savagearms.com/cs_scope.htm

 

[Onslaught]

If you DO have the AccuTrigger, Ken Farrell, Burris, and Weaver all make bases for it. Ken Farrell being the "tactical" route, Burris being the standard or dual dovetail style, and Weaver, well Weaver base

 

[montemon]

It seems the AccuTrigger version has the round top...that's where the difference is. Almost bought the wrong mount.

ocabj, that FAQ link was excellent! It gave me the exact part# I need...thanks!!!

 

[AZRickD]

Montemon,

Go to http://www.practicaltactical.net and e-mail Tim.

He has a Leupold 3-9x and is willing to sell it at cost.

Rick

 

[montemon]

Rick

Just sent Tim an email.

THANKS!!!

 

[AZRickD]

Ah, I forgot.

I'm pretty sure it's an M3 Tactical Scope

This here pretty one.... (New In Box).

 

[TimW]

Yes, it's an M3 Long Range tactical, 3.5-10x40mm mil-dot scope. Email sent back.