I had Savage make me a .308 stainless 'scout' type rifle. Cost about $850 if I remember right. I got mine before Ruger had the Frontier on the market. Differences from the Ruger:
Shinier finish.
Black synthetic stock.
18 or 20 inch barrel? (I will have to look.)
4 round detachable box magazine.
Backup fixed sights - Large peep rear, front blade.
3 sling swivel studs.
Without scope aprox. 6.25 lbs.
Large knob bolt handle (can be ordered with smaller size.)
It also has a scope rail mounted forward of the ejection port as does the Ruger.
Accuracy- the gun is more accurate than I am! Accurate enough for my rudimentary skills.
A better recoil pad will help.
The website below is a great place to get more info on "Scout" type rifles like this.
http://www.steyrscout.org/savscout.htm
http://www.steyrscout.org/project.htm
Also from Friar Frogs website: http://www.frfrogspad.com/index.htm#Scout
"A Few Words on the Scout Rifle Concept
Since one must take care with one's speech it is appropriate that we address the issue of just what a "scout rifle" really is.
By the definition of the Scout Rifle Conferences held under the auspices of Jeff Cooper the scout rifle has been defined as a general purpose rifle suitable for taking targets of up to 400 kg (880 pounds) at ranges to the limit of the shooters visibility (nominally 300 meters) that meets the following criteria:
Weight-sighted and slung: 3 kilograms (6.6 lb). This has been set as the ideal weight but the maximum has been stated as being 3.5 kg (7.7 pounds ).
Length: 1 meter (39 inches)
Nominal barrel length: .48 meter (19 inches)
Sighting system: Typically a forward and low mounted (ahead of the action opening) long eye relief telescope of between 2x and 3x. Reserve iron sights desirable but not necessary. Iron sights of the ghost ring type, without a scope, also qualify, as does a low powered conventional position scope.
Action: Magazine fed bolt action. Detachable box magazine and/or stripper clip charging is desirable but not necessary.
Sling: Fast loop-up type, i.e. Ching or CW style.
Caliber: Nominally .308 Winchester (7.62 x 51 mm). Calibers such as 7 mm - 08 Remington (7 x 51 mm) or .243 Winchester (6 x 51 mm) being considered for frail individuals or where "military" calibers are proscribed.
Built-in bipod: Desirable but not mandatory.
Accuracy: Should be capable of shooting into 2 minutes of angle or less (4") at 200 yards/meters (3 shot groups).
Rifles that do not meet all of these specifications are technically not "scout rifles." Thus rifles of this general design in calibers other than those stated above are not true scout rifles but actually "pseudo-scouts." However, even though Steyr Mannlicher (and now Savage) are making production rifles of this general type (as well as some wild variations) they are under no legal obligation not to call their deviations "scouts" as a marketing tool. Thus, the Steyr .376 Scout also known as (and probably better referred to as the ".376 Dragoon" although the factory dislikes the term) nor the .223 variation are true scout rifles. For that matter neither are the custom made scout-like rifles made up in .30-06, .375 H&H, or what ever caliber. However, there are many parts of the scout design that can be handily used on non-scout rifles."
Hope you find this helpful.
