Do all 308 - thinking Savage scout or hog hunter?

[TrailWolf]

Hey all - trying to round out my collection before the fall and have a bday coming up. I have pretty much all my rifle and pistol bases covered except a 308 or 30-06 type bolt action hunter. Dont want to do 308 AR. I don't ever hunt with a scoped rifle so never had the need - use a shotgun, 30-30 marlin or bow for this.

Narrowed it down to the Savage hog hunter or scout - I like that it has irons as I'm in a brushy NC and relatively robust action. For all intents and purposes this rifle will not see much action other than fun at the range, but I just like having a 308 that doesn't need a scope and I can throw a red dot on.

So my question is, Savage hog hunter is 200 less than the scout. Any of you guys have first hand experience with either? Scout worth the 200 extra for 10 round detachable box, upgraded peep sights and a bit better stock? I don't intend on doing much upgrading if any.

Also checked out the mossberg and ruger scouts, but Savage seems like the best bang for buck with the quality there. 400-600 is my budget for essentially a rifle that is for my collection.

Thoughts? Thanks!!

 

[jmr40]

I like the Hog Hunter between the 2. Most of the features of the scout that run up the cost will never be used by me. I had one of them briefly a few years ago.

After comparing the Hog Hunter to the Ruger Predator, I chose the Ruger. For my intended use I like the lighter weight, $100 less cost, and detachable magazines. My Ruger weighs less scoped than the Hog Hunter naked. I have no use for iron sights. A scope on 1X or 2X is faster up close than irons or dot sights and does everything else better anyway.

Honestly, I think this is a better "scout" rifle than anything being sold as a scout rifle. It weighs 7 lbs as pictured.



Does this at 200 yards.

 

[tubeshooter]

I don't have experience with any of the "scout" rifles, but I do have a Hog Hunter in .223 and I like it just fine.

I think the answer to your question really boils down to how much certain features mean to you. I think for a lot of people for whom the detachable mag means more than the iron sights, somebody's "scout" rifle will be the better choice.


I offer my input knowing that you're asking something different from a .223 than you are from a .308 rifle. For the smaller caliber the iron sights are probably more useful. In my case I like having something that is iron-sighted and has a bit more range and punch than .22LR. I also like that the Hog Hunter's (admittedly basic) sights seem fairly rugged. None of that may mean anything to you for .308, and it may make a scout rail more desirable to you.



I consider my rifle a knockabout and don't care about the stock very much. In .308 the additional weight of a true wood stock might be very welcome for the sake of recoil, I would think. Another point about the Hog Hunter is what they call their "medium contour" barrel. The balance is different from other more traditional barrel styles you see, so be sure to handle the gun and see what you think first.

 

[Nullcone]

I have the big brother to the Hog Hunter, a Precision Carbine in 308, and it's been very good to me.

The upgraded stock and aperture sights (assuming I was using them) would be worth the extra $ for me. I'd strip off the scout mount and muzzle brake, and get a flush(er) mounting magazine to do something about the rifle's appearance.

I know... talking about esthetics on a Tupperware stocked Savage... lol.

If you're ok with the open sights on the hog hunter, it's by no means a bad choice.

hth

 

[Actionjrs]

I have the hog hunter for an all purpose/scout rifle I would probably go with the scout but detachable magazines are a big point for me. Also not sure how they compare on weight but the hog hunter is decently heavy

 

[chicharrones]

For open sighted range use, I'd pick the one with an aperture sight and a detachable mag. Detachable mags are easier to make a gun safe for cease fires than an internal mag.

However, between the Hog Hunter and new 11 Scout, I think I'd prefer to find a used model 10 Scout.

 

[JO JO]

I have a 308 hog hunter I like it jyst fine

 

[TIMC]

Had a Hog Hunter but sold it. I found the rifle stock to have more flex than any out of the box rifle I've ever seen. The action felt gritty but the gun did shoot accurately. I did put a better stock on the gun but still could not warm up to it. All in all the rifle just felt a little too cheaply made for me so it had to go.
No experience with the scout.

 

[philbo]

I have owned a hog-hunter in 308, and still own a Scout 10 in 308. The hog hunter was acquired new and the Scout was picked up in a trade, so in my case I had a little less in the Scout than the HH. I ended up selling the HH and keeping the Scout because i preferred the better sights and removable mag on the Scout. The threaded barrel on the HH was a nice feature, but not one I was ever going to utilize. If I were doing it again, I would give serious consideration to the Ruger American Compact in 308 before the Hog Hunter or the Scout

 

[stoky]

Unless you want the forward mounted optic (and I do like scout mounted red dots), I'd go with the Hog Hunter, it's a screaming deal.
The model 10 Scout didn't have the superfluous, IMO, flash suppressor and cheek riser. A Scout is suppose to have the scope mounted low enough that you don't need a cheek riser.

 

[jg1129]

Hog Hunter is solid

I bought a Hog Hunter in .308 and I really like it. First, I love the .308 round for hogs. Bang-flop. Second, the iron sights are easy-to-find for target acquisition. Good stuff if the hog starts to move. Third, the weight is maybe a pound more than others (I guess) but it feels solid when you shoot and feels good. It did not wave for me like the other person described. My HH is good with internal mag -- I'm not going to get more than five shots off in the field. Use the HH for what it was designed for and you'll be happy. Every modification takes it away from its original purpose. That Ruger American compact looks a lot like the Mossberg ATR 100 I have, and I love that one also for field work, but with a scope for 150 yards plus, where these old eyes can't work with iron sights on the HH. I really like the HH. It is part of my rotation when I get out there.

 

[stoky]

A detachable magazine is a meh for me.
If that's what it is, I'd want at least one magazine that seats flush with the stock.

 

[agtman]

The Savage Hog Hunter (.308) I picked up and fondled at a LGS didn't impress me. Weight-wise, it was at least as heavy as my old blind-magazine FP-10, which had its original heavy barrel cut from 24" to 16.1", and was then re-stocked in a quality synthetic years ago.

In its present form, my FP-10 is essentially what the Hog Hunter is. Adding a low-magnification 1.5-5x Leupy scope and mount increased the weight, making it a pain to lug around even as the low budget "beater" rifle that it is.

I'd keep looking at the Rugers.

 

[Jackal]

I want a Ruger American, with a stiffer forend, with a 16" medium profile .308, threaded, with a metal magazine. I want it for $450. Build it Ruger.

 

[farmerboy78]

I don't know your budget, but I too say go with the precision carbine!

 

[ROCK6]

I can’t speak to the new Model 11 Scout, but I do have the previous Model 10 DCM and bought my son the Model 111 Hog Hunter.

If you want a detachable magazine, the Scout is already set; however, I prefer the older DCM model as it came with a flush-mounted 4 round magazine and I had a couple of (expensive) aftermarket 9 round magazines. Plus, it also fits my Model 10 Precision Carbine.

Another choice between the two are the sights. Both have open sights, but the Scout has peep sights, which I prefer. If you’re putting optics on it, this becomes less of a concern as to which type.

Of course the Hog Hunter is set up more for a conventional scope mount as opposed to the forward-scout mount for IER scopes or red dots. If you’re just wanting to throw a red-dot on it, the Scout is ready to go.

What I liked about the previous Model 10 DCM Scout was the weight. I can’t remember the factory weight, but with IER scope, mounts and the heavier 9 round magazine, it’s only 7lbs 12oz. That’s pretty light for a field rifle.



Since the new scout is (I assume) on the Model 111 frame, I see the weights are a little more and more similar, so it’s a wash unless you’re looking for a lighter rifle.

So unless you don’t care for a detachable magazine and you don’t care for peep sights, the Hog Hunter is the better deal. However, if you want to add a detachable magazine, upgrade the sights or add a rail for a forward red dot, you’ll be spending well over that $200.00.

ROCK6

 

[VoodooMountain]

I have a hot hunter in 223 and one new in 308. I bought the 223 used, sighted it in, and haven't had a chance to really shoot it. I haven't even had a chance to shoot the 308, either.

I spent about $725 Total for these rifles and feel for the money they are tough to beat. The heavier barrel only adds a pound or so but it's been my experience that adding a pound dramatically helps felt recoil. They are light enough, I like the over size bolt knob, they are quick to shoulder, and I'm sure they will be accurate enough.

And if I decide down the road I cannot live with the rifle for whatever reason, I can always change the setup easily on a savage

 

[Scrumbag]

Think a Hog Hunter in 338 Federal would be great pig getter. Put a Pic rail on for swapping between night vision and regular day optics