Sav. 24 in 22LR/20GA - scoping?

[russlate]

OK - I know it's stamped on the barrel not to shot the 20 ga. with a scope attached.

Now, I have scoped a Nylon 66 with a 4x32 Simmons Pro-Diamond shotgun scope, despite it's shaky stamped sheet metal receiver cover by using 3 ring/base mounts ( two in front of the adjustment knobs and one behind ) and found them to snug things down nice and solid, and it's 5.5" eye relief adequate for me. Kind of like the Tough SOB triple mounts for the T/C Contender.

The Sav. 24 has it's top ( 22 ) barrel cut for the 3/8ths grooves mounts. By going with a Simmons shotgun/black powder scope in 2.5x20 I'd cut the weight to 7 ounces, and by going to a straight bell, I'd be able to mount the scope using not two or three ring/bases, but 4, 2 in front and 2 behind the adjustment knobs. The lower power scope adds another half inch eye relief for 6.0"

I AM ASSUMING that the reason for the markings saying not to shoot the shotgun barrel with a scope on it is due to the 3/8ths 22 grooves not being able to hold the scope and gun together when mounted with only 2 ring/bases mounts. That may not be true if you double the mounts.

Measuring the Nylon 66, the Sav. 24, and mounts it appears it would work. That is, of course as long as the limitation isn't because the recoil will pull the 22/20 barrel's apart.

Suggestions/Comments ( helpful type preffered ).

 

[mainmech48]

IMO, the warning is probably predicated by the assumption that users would mount a scope that doesn't have enough eye relief to keep it from smacking them in the face.

Probably not completely unwarranted. Most of the M24s sold likely went home with folks who wanted/needed their idea of maximum utility for the least money. Slap the cheapest 3/4" ".22" scope they could find at Western Auto on it without considering that it even COULD bite them when they touched-off the shotgun.

Then they'd go after Savage to kiss the boo boo with dollars for not doing their thinking for them.

FWIW, I've got a Williams "5D" receiver sight on mine. Works just fine with both barrels, but I do have to re-zero for slugs. Doesn't seem to make much difference with shot loads. Close enough to drop rabbits and quail, anyway.

 

[Dienekes]

I have a M 24 .22LR/20 ga. Camper Special with the same markings. I'm sure its there to preclude scope scars from insufficient eye relief with the 20 ga.

I used to occasionally think about mounting a peep sight but settled for a flip-down take-off from a M70 and a gold bead front. It shoots pretty well for what it is.