Going bare bones on my savage scout

[Jason_W]

After a little internal back and forth, I’ve decided to hang on to my Savage Scout rifle If for no other reason than it’s a huge hassle selling a gun and I’ll never get back near what I paid for it.

That said, my plan is to “convert” it from a scout into a bare bones rifle. I can’t/don’t want to spend the money it will take to buy a decent optic for it, and the way I was raised left me with the unshakable belief that optics are something of a crutch. I couldn’t call myself a decent shot if I’m relying on a scope to score hits at intermediate ranges. I want to become as good with a peep sight as I was when I was 12, head shooting nuisance red squirrels with my .22.

This means I’ll be removing the scope rail as it obscures much of the sight picture when using the rifle’s peep.

What I’m having trouble locating are plug screws to keep debris out of the screw holes. Does anyone know how to determine what side/thread I’ll need. The manual lacks this information.

Also, is there a click adjustable peep sight that might be able to replace the stock WRGS that came with the rifle? Something that could be adjusted with a little more precision would be nice.

 

[mustanger98]

For the plug screws, I'm pretty sure you need 6-48's. Last I checked, MidwayUSA has those in 10pk.

Does this Savage Scout Rifle have the AccuTrigger, or is it the earlier flat-bridge? If it's the flat-bridge, you can get on eBay and find Lyman's #57 pre-1974... back when they made them totally from steel. Or, last I knew, MidwayUSA has the newer aluminum Lyman #57 and Williams Foolproof. From what I've heard, rifles made after about 1970, you'll probably need the left side drilled and tapped. Or, you can check New England Custom Gun (NECG) and see what they have to fit a Savage Model 10, Accutrigger or earlier... probably mount to the top of the bridge.

Another thing... how's your stock's comb? Does it have enough drop that you can look through the aperture and light a .308 without busting your cheekbone?

 

[Jason_W]

The comb is adjustyin the chinciest possible way. It’s a plastic piece that slides up and down. I have to remove it completely to comfortably use the peep.

The stock is pretty awful all around. Even savage knows this, which is why they upgraded the stock just after I bought mine.

 

[greyling22]

take the screw that holds the mount on to your local fastenal or hardware store. they should be able to tell you the pitch and have what you need.

but I know how you feel. I too have a savage rifle I'd like to sell but I'm going to take a pretty big hit on......

 

[LUCKYDAWG13]

So did you give Savage a call and ask the for the screw plugs

 

[Jason_W]

So did you give Savage a call and ask the for the screw plugs

It never actually occurred to me to try that.

I figured I’d be on my own.

 

[LUCKYDAWG13]

https://www.savagearms.com/customer-support let us know how there support help is

 

[mustanger98]

I haven't seen a Savage M10/110 type in a while that was configured to my taste. Seems the folks who have older, more basic versions don't much care to trade, so they're not showing up much on the used racks around here.

I'm assuming this is a later version to have the type stock I'm picturing. If I were to look at retro-fitting one, I'd be thinking of a basic wood stock... kinda like maybe fitting a pre-Accutrigger 111G into a stock from a 110D, if y'all can picture that, or looking into a Boyd's. But from what I understand, the Accutrigger models... the stock will be inletted different.

 

[Newtosavage]

So I basically did this exact same thing. I had a 7.62x39 Savage model 10 Scout rifle that I stripped down, put in a tupperware stock, slapped a 2-7x33 Leupy on it and got the total weight under 7 lbs. Once I did all that, it quickly became my favorite rifle on the range and in the field, as well as that of many of my friends who shot it. I was offered good money for that rifle many times! LOL

 

[Jason_W]

This is the version I have

https://goo.gl/images/cS2uwo

Shortly after I purchased mine, Savage changed to a stock that changes comb height via interchangeable stock inserts.

https://www.savagearms.com/firearms/centerfire/model-110/110-scout

 

[mustanger98]

Okay, if you upgrade the rear sight, you'll still need a top-mount. As I recall, Williams Foolproof won't fit the round top bridge... the base and range of elevation won't get together. If you only shoot one load, that set-and-forget sight you have should work. But it's not the same as a good quality steel sight with 1/4MOA clicks.

For the stock, I'd see what Boyd's has. This is a .308, isn't it? A tad extra weight would help soak up some recoil. I've also heard stories about some of these new synthetic stocks not being stiff enough... made the rifle look like a lemon.

And I second the suggestion to call Savage customer service about the plug screws.

 

[chicharrones]

I've used black silicone gasket sealant as "plug screws" on my Ruger GSR. I just squeeze it into each hole and "squeegee" it flush with the outer surface.

What I like about the silicone is it can't rust in place like a screw, it keeps water or debris out of the threads, and it removes quickly in virtually one piece with a metal pick.

While black silicone wouldn't look proper on a polished blue rifle, it looks fine in a small blind hole on a matte blue or black rifle.

 

[ontarget]

Good idea and if you use the automotive RTV sealant it should be impervious to cleaners and oils.

 

[Jason_W]

I've used black silicone gasket sealant as "plug screws" on my Ruger GSR. I just squeeze it into each hole and "squeegee" it flush with the outer surface.

What I like about the silicone is it can't rust in place like a screw, it keeps water or debris out of the threads, and it removes quickly in virtually one piece with a metal pick.

While black silicone wouldn't look proper on a polished blue rifle, it looks fine in a small blind hole on a matte blue or black rifle.

I like that idea.

 

[chicharrones]

That said, my plan is to “convert” it from a scout into a bare bones rifle. I can’t/don’t want to spend the money it will take to buy a decent optic for it, and the way I was raised left me with the unshakable belief that optics are something of a crutch. I couldn’t call myself a decent shot if I’m relying on a scope to score hits at intermediate ranges. I want to become as good with a peep sight as I was when I was 12, head shooting nuisance red squirrels with my .22.

Depending on my my middle aged eyes and my glasses prescription, I either need a scope or I can get by without one for short range. Currently, I have a good prescription and have my GSR set up with only the sights the gun came with. I'm sure I'll be scoping it again at some point, though.

The nice thing about your Savage Scout and my GSR is that they did come with sights. Centerfire bolt action rifles with sights don't seem to be common these days, but it sure puts the fun back into shooting for me.

 

[Jason_W]

Depending on my my middle aged eyes and my glasses prescription, I either need a scope or I can get by without one for short range. Currently, I have a good prescription and have my GSR set up with only the sights the gun came with. I'm sure I'll be scoping it again at some point, though.

The nice thing about your Savage Scout and my GSR is that they did come with sights. Centerfire bolt action rifles with sights don't seem to be common these days, but it sure puts the fun back into shooting for me.

Okay, I like the .22 WMR with a scope better. Call me a hypocrite. Lol.
View attachment 809969

I’m moderately near sighted myself. I tend to really struggle with traditional iron sights (anything with a notched rear sight) but do fine with aperture sights.

For me, this is about getting back to basics and scraping the rust off fundamentals and also not spending several hundred dollars on a scope. I’d rather put the scope money toward ammo or a handgun purchase.

If life takes a turn and it looks like I’ll have an opportunity to hunt big game again, I’m sure I’ll want to scope it.