Savage 11 Scout
- Thread starter JO JO
- Start date
- Status
chicharrones
needs more ammo
The Scout purists dislike it, but it looks like a decent adaptable all purpose gun.
I've never fired one though, so no hands on experience.
I've never fired one though, so no hands on experience.
That is the 3rd gen of the Savage Scout. I owned one of the 2nd generation guns a few years ago. Mine was basically the same rifle with minor differences. It didn't do anything for me and I felt there were better options that did the same job better and cost less.
The forward mounted scope concept is flawed. The primary reason Cooper wanted it was to get the scope out of the way to reload military rifles with stripper clips. With a detachable magazine the scope is better used in the conventional position. Especially with todays scopes. I'm convinced Cooper would modify his position if he were still with us. The 10 round magazine is more in the way than a help, give me two 5 round mags any day.
Back up irons, more unnecessary costs. A quality low powered scope mounted conventionally does everything better and are just as durable. I've actually had more iron sights fail than scopes.
The forward mounted scope concept is flawed. The primary reason Cooper wanted it was to get the scope out of the way to reload military rifles with stripper clips. With a detachable magazine the scope is better used in the conventional position. Especially with todays scopes. I'm convinced Cooper would modify his position if he were still with us. The 10 round magazine is more in the way than a help, give me two 5 round mags any day.
Back up irons, more unnecessary costs. A quality low powered scope mounted conventionally does everything better and are just as durable. I've actually had more iron sights fail than scopes.
Newtosavage
Member
- Joined
- Nov 30, 2015
- Messages
- 2,918
I own a Model 10 "Scout" in 7.62x39 but I "de-scouted" it and run it like a conventional bolt rifle now. I enjoyed using it in the original scout config, and Weaver makes a great 4x scope that is just superb for these rifles and only weighs about 8 oz. That's not a typo.
These guns are a lot of fun to shoot as scout rifles. The forward scope is very comfortable to shoot and easy on the eyes. It also helps tame muzzle jump so that makes the gun more fun to shoot too.
For hunting I found the 4x scout scope to be limiting. The field of view and finding a moving critter proved too challenging IMO so I went back to a conventional scope and removed both the rear and front sights to reduce weight.
If you just want a range gun you might occasionally hunt with, I think scout rifles are very good, esp. when you have the option to use cheap surplus or steel case ammo.
These guns are a lot of fun to shoot as scout rifles. The forward scope is very comfortable to shoot and easy on the eyes. It also helps tame muzzle jump so that makes the gun more fun to shoot too.
For hunting I found the 4x scout scope to be limiting. The field of view and finding a moving critter proved too challenging IMO so I went back to a conventional scope and removed both the rear and front sights to reduce weight.
If you just want a range gun you might occasionally hunt with, I think scout rifles are very good, esp. when you have the option to use cheap surplus or steel case ammo.
This is a popular misconception. Stripper clip loading is *an* advantage of the forward scope. It is NOT the only advantage, nor even the main advantage. The main reason for the forward mounted scope is speed. It's a lightning fast sighting system, and Cooper explained it at great length in his writings.
I very much doubt it.
I agree with you there. There's nothing wrong with the option of a 10 round mag, although I think a flush 5 rounder would be a better all around choice. What is really unfortunate with the current crop of "scouts" is that they use a single stack 10 rounder in order to give the rifle M1A type styling. This results in a mag that sticks out twice as far as it should.
I picked up an 11 Scout and removed rear sight (can't see irons any longer) and scout rail. Replaced rail w/conventional bases and mounted a 4.5-14 Burris W/Ballistic E1 reticle. Worked up a load w/125 gr. NBT's that shoots 5/8" five shot groups @ 100 (repeatable from the bench) for predator hunting. Currently working on 168 gr. load w/Nosler Accubonds for use on nilgai.
The short barrel makes this a very handy rifle to carry and I made mine even handier by removing the muzzle brake. It was the loudest rifle I've ever shot under a tin roof! Muffs helped but still objectionable; ear plugs and muffs tamed it down pretty well.
The 10 round magazine makes for awkward carrying, but I normally carry on a sling so that's not a deal breaker. May get a 5 round magazine at some point.
Regards,
hps
Last edited:
Have owned several Savage rifles and all of them shot well. This one has been a bit tedious getting the light for caliber bullets down where I wanted them. I suspect the 165 AB or 168 NBT's will be a lot easier to get the groups I expect.
One other comment on the muzzle brake. This is the only rifle I've ever shot and been able to see the muzzle flash on a very bright day! Of course the combination of short barrel and 4895 didn't help and then the comp.!
The 4895 shot better than any other powder w/the 125's though.
Regards,
hps
One other comment on the muzzle brake. This is the only rifle I've ever shot and been able to see the muzzle flash on a very bright day! Of course the combination of short barrel and 4895 didn't help and then the comp.!
The 4895 shot better than any other powder w/the 125's though.
Regards,
hps
Last edited:
I have a Savage 11 Scout and I like it very much. Shooting military 7.62 NATO I get under an inch at 100 with a Burris Scout and under 2 inches at 100 with the irons. Using my load (with 147 gr fmj) cuts those groups almost in half (5/8 and 1 1/4). The scout mount does give quick acquisition. I've shot it alongside my Savage 10 PC and the muzzle break substantially reduce recoil. It is loud and bright. This will no doubt help recovery time if you need to shoot several targets fast. I don't find the 10 rd magazine a problem and like the fact they are interchangeable with my PC. While the 10rd mag isn't needed for hunting it is more in line with the do all concept Cooper envisioned.
FWIW, I had difficulty finding magazines for my PC. The PC and Scout has the mag catch built into the rifle. The Axis has the mag catch built into the mag (cost saving).I found if you cut off the plastic catch on the Axis magazine it will work fine in the PC or Scout.
FWIW, I had difficulty finding magazines for my PC. The PC and Scout has the mag catch built into the rifle. The Axis has the mag catch built into the mag (cost saving).I found if you cut off the plastic catch on the Axis magazine it will work fine in the PC or Scout.
What powder are you using w/the 147's, Griz? I tried H335, W748,BallC2, Varget and 4895 trying to get some Speer 130 TNT's to shoot in mine w/no luck. Finally gave up and went to the 125 NBT's and settled on 4895. Preliminary 150 gr. 4895 seems promising as well, but too soon to tell.
Regards,
hps
Regards,
hps
I use 23.0 grains of Accurate 2230C. CCI std LR primer. I give the charge as its on the jugs. Accurate says 23.5 on the jug for a NATO spec load. OAL? Not sure. I set up the seating die with a 7.62 NATO round and I crimp the bullet. I developed the load fot a 7.62 Tanker Garand. It shoots well in that and based on its performance in my other 7.62 NATO and 308s I've seen no reason screw with it.
I chronoed it when i developed it and come up with the same results when I've tried it under similar conditions. About 2525 fps and 25 fps extreme spread. Very, very consistent. I don't develop a load for a specific rifle. I have too many to do that. I get 1 1/2 @ 200 and 2 1/2 @ 300. Thats plenty of accuracy for me. I don't shoot benchrest.
It is a data powder and have seen others get good results with that loading. I don't know if this is available now. It supposedly is closer to A2460 in burn rate. I bought a good supply when it was cheap. Guess I'll have to go back to the drawing board.
seems like this is a decent shooting rifle , for me I use TAC for my rifle loads and sometimes 8208xbr, but I liked the iron sights on this scout model 11 if I do buy this I am interested in working up some loads of 150 gr and trailboss , thought the trailboss loads and iron sights would be a fun plinking/range set up for the kid and I to use , of course I would also develop some full house loads
Have never used Alliant powders but that sounds like it might be a good powder for the short barrel scout as it is a bit faster than 4895; should reduce muzzle flash as well. Somewhere I fount that only 95% of my 4895 load would burn in the scout.
Natchez lists 2230 (assume same as 2230c???) here:
https://www.natchezss.com/accurate-powder-2230-rifle-powder.html
Jo Jo, the scout should be a great rifle for a youngster, they are a lot of fun to shoot. The adjustable length stock would be great, too. Just give him some good ear protection!
That sounds like a good price, too.
Regards,
hps
Natchez lists 2230 (assume same as 2230c???) here:
https://www.natchezss.com/accurate-powder-2230-rifle-powder.html
Jo Jo, the scout should be a great rifle for a youngster, they are a lot of fun to shoot. The adjustable length stock would be great, too. Just give him some good ear protection!
That sounds like a good price, too.
Regards,
hps
Have never used Alliant powders but that sounds like it might be a good powder for the short barrel scout as it is a bit faster kthan 4895; should reduce muzzle flash as well. Somewhere I fount that only 95% of my 4895 load would burn in the scout.
Natchez lists 2230 (assume same as 2230c???) here:
https://www.natchezss.com/accurate-powder-2230-rifle-powder.html
Jo Jo, the scout should be a great rifle for a youngster, they are a lot of fun to shoot. The adjustable length stock would be great, too. Just give him some good ear protection!
That sounds like a good price, too.
Regards,
hps
A2230C is a data powder. Slower than A2230 and from what I've read (not done) is closer to A2460 as far as burn speed
When I run out of 2230C I'll probably get a pound of both 2230 and 2460 and see what I can work up.
Panzerschwein
member
These are very cool guns, Mossberg has a patrol rifle that is also a neat scout rifle.
I am more drawn to something like the Springfield SOCOM M1As for a scout rifle, though. More firepower. I think Jeff would prefer one if they were around in his day.
I am more drawn to something like the Springfield SOCOM M1As for a scout rifle, though. More firepower. I think Jeff would prefer one if they were around in his day.
chicharrones
needs more ammo
Thank you. It is a really handy little rifle. The tan stock seemed to pick up a lot of black smudges that were pretty stubborn to get off, so I put a rattle can camo job on it....problem solved.That's a nice looking rifle.
Thank you Griz, for the Alliant info. If the 4895 disappoints on my 165/168 gr. loads, I'll give one of those powders a try. I think I could use a bit faster powder advantageously in the 18" barrel.
Regards,
hps
- Status
