Interested in your feedback (honest feedback, guys 
) on how your Savage Scout shoots in the real world.
) on how your Savage Scout shoots in the real world.Your field reports on Savage Scout accuracy?
- Thread starter JNewell
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First, I do not own one. Buddy of mine did.
Second, I never got to shoot it on paper, so no hard numbers.
With that out of the way, It seemed to shoot maybe 3 MOA with the cheap surplus FMJ ammo he brought out. He claimed better than 2 MOA, but I never witnessed him shoot it on paper...
As far as I could tell, it was a nice little rifle.
I would have preferred a Picatinny rail over the action, but that could easily be installed. I think it would be nice with a 2-7x40 scope on QD rings.
Second, I never got to shoot it on paper, so no hard numbers.
With that out of the way, It seemed to shoot maybe 3 MOA with the cheap surplus FMJ ammo he brought out. He claimed better than 2 MOA, but I never witnessed him shoot it on paper...
As far as I could tell, it was a nice little rifle.
I would have preferred a Picatinny rail over the action, but that could easily be installed. I think it would be nice with a 2-7x40 scope on QD rings.
Mine shoots about 2 to 3 MOA with milsurp ball (2 MOA with good-quality Hirtenberger ammo, about 3 MOA with Australian 1980's-production stuff, in between those figures with South African or Portuguese ball). With high-grade hunting ammo, about 1½ MOA if I do my part.
A big factor in accuracy is the trigger. I replaced the standard Savage trigger with one from Sharp Shooter Supply, set to break at about 2 pounds. Very crisp, helps accuracy no end.
A big factor in accuracy is the trigger. I replaced the standard Savage trigger with one from Sharp Shooter Supply, set to break at about 2 pounds. Very crisp, helps accuracy no end.
Preacherman,
Hows that front bead work out? Seems like it would be tough to use well without a post. I was thinking of finding a used savage scout just to have a cheap general purpose piece but those irons have me creeped out.
Hows that front bead work out? Seems like it would be tough to use well without a post. I was thinking of finding a used savage scout just to have a cheap general purpose piece but those irons have me creeped out.
On the few occasions I've shot mine without a Scout Scope, the irons were OK - not brilliant, but OK. If I planned on using iron sights extensively, I'd probably install some Express Sights for greater clarity.
AK103K
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I get groups of just under an inch using my reloads (165gr Ballistic Tips over 4064) prone, from a bipod. I'm very happy with how it shoots and was really surprised, considering that cheesy scope mount. The bead fell out of my front sight, and actually, I'm glad it did. I dont really like the bead type sight and I just filed mine into a square post and it works very well.
Mine is MOA with surplus .308. Excellent accuracy. I used John Barsness' recommendation to scrub the barrel with a 100 strokes with a patch over a bore brush with JB Paste and it cleans up beautifully. Excellent rifle at a great price, particularly if you can find them.
Mine also does about 3" @ 100 with mil-surp. I've not shot much factory ammo, but it seems to do about the same with that.
With my reloads, accuracy is a different story. Most of my loads are sub-moa, with a few that consistently hover around 1/2" @ 100. The only difference in my loads is that I seat the bullets out toward the lands. My rifle has a "deep throat", so some of my loads approach 2.90" OAL (that's the max that the magazine will handle), most are between 2.82" and 2.87".
Factory Remington 180 Core-loct do about 3", but the same bullet, at the same velocity, in the same case, loaded to 2.82" (bullets almost touching lands), shoots under 0.75" consistently. I actually like the long throat becasuse it allows me to use heavier, longer bullets without taking up too much case volume.
I've given some thought to replacing mine with one of the new 16fcss (stainless, new type detachable mag) for more rust resistance (I take my Scout with me everywhere, and I'm in AK), if I do, should I let you know? (Although, I really HATE the idea of parting with it my Scout, it's my favorite rifle).
p.s. I used my Scout (308) for moose this year, instead of my usual 300 WM. The moose I shot dropped faster than any I've shot with my 300 WM, and I was able to hunt with a 2 pound lighter rifle, that recoils less, and is easier on the ears. I'm not saying the 308 works better, or one trial even means anything, but I was very happy with the Scout's performance. The 300 WM has been in retirement since the Scout arrived.
With my reloads, accuracy is a different story. Most of my loads are sub-moa, with a few that consistently hover around 1/2" @ 100. The only difference in my loads is that I seat the bullets out toward the lands. My rifle has a "deep throat", so some of my loads approach 2.90" OAL (that's the max that the magazine will handle), most are between 2.82" and 2.87".
Factory Remington 180 Core-loct do about 3", but the same bullet, at the same velocity, in the same case, loaded to 2.82" (bullets almost touching lands), shoots under 0.75" consistently. I actually like the long throat becasuse it allows me to use heavier, longer bullets without taking up too much case volume.
I've given some thought to replacing mine with one of the new 16fcss (stainless, new type detachable mag) for more rust resistance (I take my Scout with me everywhere, and I'm in AK), if I do, should I let you know? (Although, I really HATE the idea of parting with it my Scout, it's my favorite rifle).
p.s. I used my Scout (308) for moose this year, instead of my usual 300 WM. The moose I shot dropped faster than any I've shot with my 300 WM, and I was able to hunt with a 2 pound lighter rifle, that recoils less, and is easier on the ears. I'm not saying the 308 works better, or one trial even means anything, but I was very happy with the Scout's performance. The 300 WM has been in retirement since the Scout arrived.
You know, of all the phrases I had never, ever thought I'd see applied to firearms, that one is just about top of the list...
But I meant it in the sense of Watergate's "deep throat", not that "other" sense. Really, I did. I swear.
Heck of a shooter when I had it. With a handload it shot a group just around 1/2 MOA. Had not shot a group like that before or after.
Couldn't get used to the scope configuration.
Couldn't get used to the scope configuration.
A scout rifle isn't really about accuracy although I am surprised
at the 3 MOA comments. It is about a short, handy, light rifle that has good balance and feel; about taking a quick shot at targets at unknown distances and being able to hit. It is a general rifle. I think there are other rifles that can easily fit the bill in the current marketplace without the controversial scout scope.
at the 3 MOA comments. It is about a short, handy, light rifle that has good balance and feel; about taking a quick shot at targets at unknown distances and being able to hit. It is a general rifle. I think there are other rifles that can easily fit the bill in the current marketplace without the controversial scout scope.
I get right around 1" with handloads, never shot factory ammo out of it. It could probably do better if I installed a full rifle scope on it, but that would defeat the purpose of a scout rifle.
Ryan
P.S. Mine's in 7mm-08, not .308.
Ryan
P.S. Mine's in 7mm-08, not .308.
Mine will hold under an inch at 100 yds with Federal Match. About 2" with Port or Aussie milsurp (although the POI changes pretty significantly with either of these....)
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