Scope Pairing for Savage Precision Carbine

Z, it really depends on what sort of shooting you want to do. Lots of guys into the tactical type of shooting opt for something in the 10-15X range, and guys that are into precision types of shooting opt for scopes starting at the 22X range.

The DNZ Game Reaper mounts look to be pretty nice. My local optics dealer uses them and they say that they've had good results with them. These guys sell a lot of high end scopes and take their optics seriously, so that for what it's worth. I prefer to use a separate base and rings, personally. It leave more room for flexibility in the setup of your scope. I'd be looking at bases from people like Seekins for a budget solution. I run an all Nightforce setup and have no complaints.

I really like the Vortex PST line of scopes. They are a pretty good bang for the buck, although I don't know if you can get into a scope and mounting hardware for under $800.

Well, I'm a little late on this one. Bushnell is currently offering a $70 rebate on their Elite Series scopes. They're excellent scopes.

Seekins isn't what I'd call a budget solution. EGW is my standard choice. The rifle isn't a big kicker so the idea that you need some kind of uber rings and base that cost hundreds of dollars. Most "tactical" bases and rings are way over built and add a bunch of bulk and cost that simply aren't going to be realized at any point in any practical fashion.

I have a set of Seekins rings on one of my rifles, but they were included as a package deal with the scope that they are holding at a price well below what the scope typically sells for, so. Installing them didn't tighten up groups or offer me anything other than another set of rings of the correct size to mount my new glass. It didn't result in a more rigid or robust setup than the EGW base and Practical rings I have on another of my precision rifles. I would buy another set of the EGW rings but wouldn't go out and buy the Seekins again. They just don't add anything to justify the 2x premium in price.

There are a ton of scopes that coupled with an EGW or Weaver rail and any of the many budget priced quality rings such as Weaver Tactical or EGW Practical would fall comfortably within your budget. The Bushnell Elite Tactical scopes are a great choice. I like them enough that I own 3 from when they were part of the Elite 4200 line. Also don't rule out used scopes. If you're patient you can often find great deals on scopes that would normally be well out of your price range from people who need to unload them for whatever reason.

If you do go with a budget option for rings make sure to lap them. I picked up some of the Weaver tactical rings and they were a bit out of spec. Enough that the the scope tube was hanging up a few millimeters from the bottom of the bases. It didn't take long with a lapping bar to have good contact (as it seemed like only the lip/edge of the ring was burred/flashed a bit) but I'd hate to see what those rings would have done to the scope tube without the lapping.

Were they mounted on a rail or on split bases? The set of Weaver tac rings that I have mounted up perfectly square on a rail.