Comments about my new .270

[ToadHill]

Well I finally got to sight in the new Savage .270 this past weekend.  Here are my thoughts on this package gun with a Simmons 3x9 scope.
1. According to the salesman it was bore sighted from the factory but the rings had a 1/4" gap on one side and no gap on the other.  The rear mount wasn't tight and I was able to tighten the screw over 1 full turn with my fingers.
2. I got it on target at 50 yards and then started to sight it in at 100.
3. It took about 5 rounds to get it reasonably on at 100 yards and then the next 5 rounds were in a 1" group about an inch high.
4.  Moved out to 200 yards and shot a 5 shot group that was within 2" at about 2 oclock.  A little more fine tuning with the scope and the last 3 shot group was dead on in the bullseye.
I guess everything I heard about Savage being accurate out of the box is true.  I just can't believe the sloppy job done at the factory mounting the scope.  The ammo used was Federal core lok 150 grain.

[mountainview]

One of the first Savage rifles I bought was a package gun in 7-08 I bought for my boy. I figured I had just got a lemon since I needed to have the scope leveled (not sure if the factory or the distributor mounted the optics) but my disappointment was rather shortlived. Boy oh boy does it shoot and it is not real particular about the fodder it gets fed.

[3006bluffhunter]

Was that a Simmons Prosport scope 3-9x40? Sounds like its doing well for you! Hope my 111 GL turns out well for me! Dale

[ToadHill]

That's the scope. 

[NATTY BUMPO]

The only rifle I ever bought with a scope attached was a Savage .25-06 I got in Montana a few years back.  The price was right on the rifle, and I'd always wanted a .25-06.  I gave the scope away, and put my choice of rings and base on the rifle, along with a a Leupold Vari-X II in 3x9.  I also put a synthetic stock on it.  I recently checked the trigger pull on it...2 1/2 lbs.  I don't trust other people to zero my rifles.  I mount good, quality rings, bases, and scope on it, bore sight it, and then go zero it.  It is a little unrealistic to expect a rifle to come zeroed from the factory, esp. since you don't know what make of ammo or bullet weight they used.  And even if it was zeroed perfectly at the factory, those boxes that they come in aren't exactly padded gun cases...there is ample opportunity for the scope to get knocked and the zero knocked off.  There are many times and places to trust other people in this ol' world, but trusting someone else to zero your rifle isn't one of them.  Do it yourself, and you'll always know it was done right.

[ToadHill]

I didn't expect it to be zero'd, I expected it to be bore sited with the mount tight and the rings properly adjusted to hold the scope.  That's how the gun was sold to me and I expected to get what I was told I'd get.

[Tom W.]

At least , after a bit of tinkering, you got a shooter!

[saltydog]

Nice rifle. Sounds like a big box (wally - mart) type deal. You have to remember it's only a $400 plus rifle with the scope w/scope package - factory can not spend alot of time on scope mounting and keep prices down. Big box store is not going to spend one minute extra on the sale - even if they had someone who could work on it. It is an unfortunate collateral issue because many of the folks attracted to a package deal on rifle and scope are those who really are not the best position to identify and correct the problems. Most local shops would have rechecked rifle upon delivery to you and fixed any issues - however they would not have been able to sell you the rifle as cheaply. You are fortunate you can do the work yourself and able to take advantage of the situation - if you have some additional funds I would move up to a Simmons Whitetail Classic scope 3x10 or 6.5x24 for about a $100 bucks. Savages accuracy out of the box is excellent.