Author Topic: Package Scope/Mounts (Read 1085 times)

MarkM · « **on:** November 17, 2005, 02:48:33 AM »

How good are the scopes and mounts on the Savage Hunter packages? Is it a waste of money getting one with the scope?

Mark

mountainview · « **Reply #1 on:** November 17, 2005, 06:28:39 AM »

I have 2 packages and been using them since I got back into the sport 2 years ago (did not have a ton o' coin to spend when I got them). For my usual 1/2 to day long trips for whitetail during November, the Simmons scopes and mounts have worked for me and I have not had reason to upgrade to a different scope yet even with frequent range practice during the summer. If you are an average or casual deer hunter and/or don't have a lot of money to spend, the scopes will probably be ok for you.

My main criticisms of the scopes is that the picture is ok but not as sharp or crisp as say a Leupold and that eye relief is limited to 3" (a possible concern with magnum calibers). Due to the 3" eye relief and my short stature, I needed to add an extended base on my 30-06 or cut the stock down (I chose the former).

victorcharlie · « **Reply #2 on:** November 17, 2005, 08:16:58 AM »

The Simmons scope on my .270 win is holding point of impact well..........What I really don't like about the scope is it's focused in the center but fuzzy from about half way out to the edges.....not terribly, but noticible, at least to me...........but hey........seems to be doing OK.........I'm planning an upgrade but probably not until after the hunting season.......

fj40 · « **Reply #3 on:** November 17, 2005, 03:31:18 PM »

I used mine for a couple of seasons. It was adequate for deer hunting. When I started using it for coyotes,and started shooting longer distances it (the simmons) was just to fuzzy to see well the the low light conditions. When I decided to upgrade the scope, the rings stripped so I switched to Weaver's. I kept the bases, and they seem to be working well.

bajabill · « **Reply #4 on:** November 18, 2005, 04:05:31 AM »

Mine came with scope rings that were the strap that hooked on one side, tightened with screws on the other. Those are the worst, change them if you have them.

For low cost, I get the Leupold Rifleman rings at walmart, about 16 dollars. The mounting rails are fine. I kept the scope and use it on another rifle. It is servicable, its about a $40 simmons eight point model.

Swamp Fox · « **Reply #5 on:** November 19, 2005, 08:26:12 AM »

I got a mod 10 pkg in .243 yesterday. Cleaned the very dirty barrel. pulled the scope assy. Cleaned and loctited the bases and put it back together.

Fired 4 factory rounds(to site in) and 12 hand loads.

The rifle was on paper at 25 yds with the first shot. Finished with a 3 shot 1/2 inch group. This is in the back yard standing free handed shooting.

The scope assy. came in place but sloppy loose.

The scope preformed better than I expected. Bullets went where I dialed them.

I'll go to the range today or tomorrow and do a more scientific shake down.

Swamp Fox · « **Reply #6 on:** December 03, 2005, 09:43:26 PM »

I should have posted this sooner.....

Off the bench and bags the Savage shot a 3/4" wide X 1 1/4" high 10 shot group. Typically, as the barrel warmed the group got higher. This tells me my safe range reloads accidentally were at or near an accuracy node.
This afternoom my son and I will try to stiffen the fore stock.
More range testing and load development in a few days.

mountainview · « **Reply #7 on:** December 05, 2005, 05:01:56 AM »

Yeah the barrels do seem to be dirty from the factory. Keep cleaning until it is tidy, will take some patches and time to get it nice and clean but the resulting groups should make it worthwhile. Watch the heat build up as the barrels are a tad on the thin side and the shots will walk as heat builds up. Shoot in groups 3 and let the barrel cool between groups good excuse to take a second rifle to the range or get a second rifle for this purpose :-) ) and you'll likely shrink the group down a bit.