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I am not a golfer, but I do know most golfers carry a bag full of clubs because each one has a different purpose. While a putter can be used to tee off, most golfers use a wood or an iron designed for that purpose. Why do they use a driver? They are the best tool for the job. Rifles are no different. PRS rifles are designed for precision accuracy at long range, a sniper rifle’s primary function is to put one well-placed shot where the sniper is aiming. These are specialty rifles built for a single purpose.
Yes, they can perform many functions, however they are at their best when they are performing the task it was designed to do.
Another rifle which comes to mind is the Scout rifle. The Scout concept was developed more than 40 years ago by Col. Jeff Cooper. The reason behind the Scout rifle, was in Cooper’s words “… to place a well-aimed shot, maybe two, on a target in a combat situation or a hunting scenario.” Target acquisition on a Scout rifle is second to none, due to utilizing both eyes while engaging the target. This is accomplished by a forward mounted scope.
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While there are a handful of manufacturers and models of Scout rifles, the elements that make up a Scout rifle remain the same. Recently, I had an opportunity to handle and shoot the Savage Magpul Scout rifle and was curious on how close Savage kept to the original design made famous by Cooper.
Savage 110 Magpul Scout
For me, the most important element of any rifle is the action and the barrel. Savage’s 110 Magpul Scout is built on one of their blueprinted 110 actions which is a great start. The Savage’s reputation for accuracy is unequaled even against rifles costing hundreds of dollars more. The rifle is equipped with a 3-position safety and the Savage Accutrigger.
The Savage 110 Magpul Scout 16.5-inch barrel is fitted with a muzzle brake, however, a suppressor could easily take its place. It is suppressor-ready machined with a standard 5/8 -24 thread. The Scout concept rifle is generally short to keep the overall length of the rifle under the 1-meter threshold developed by Cooper.
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Another of Cooper’s threshold is the weight of the rifle. The 110 Magpul Scout comes in 1.75 pounds heavier than ideal, but much of this additional weight is due to the barrel contour. If I were going to add weight, a slightly heavier barrel is where I would want it. As Cooper stated, “…the parameters are a recommendation.” An extra 1.75 pounds is not a deal breaker.
Sighting System
In Cooper’s synopsis, a forward mounted scope is mounted with the eye piece of the scope mounted just above the front ring of the receiver of the rifle. This is accomplished on the 110 Magpul Scout by an 11” scope base which mounts to both the receiver and the barrel. The rear section of the base has an adjustable peep sight which is removable. The barrel is equipped with an AR style front sight post. These auxiliary sights are present in the event the scope is bumped off zero or damaged.
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The Magpul stock provides adequate handling of the rifle and is equipped with sling mounting on either side of the stock and is equipped with M-LOK slots for accessories such as a sling stud on the upper section of the stock. The stock has an aluminum bedding block which keeps the action in place. The inletting is generous to allow the barrel to free float ensuring superb accuracy. The length of pull is adjustable with spacers included with the rifle from a minimum of 13 inches to a maximum of 15 inches.
The rifle uses an AICS 10-round detachable magazine. The ambidextrous magazine release is located directly in front of the trigger guard.
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110 Magpul Scout At the Range
Though several manufacturers produce a scout scope, I opted for Vortex’s 2-7x 32mm objective scope and mounted it on the rifle using high Warne QD rings.
One hot afternoon I made an impromptu stop to the range to test several loads. The target using the long eye relief scope was not conducive to pinpoint precision accuracy. That said I was still able to shoot a 1.375” group. I was not satisfied and was sure the rifle could do better with a conventionally mounted scope. I attempted to mount a 40mm scope on the rifle. However, the scope objective would not allow the scope to seat on the base due to interference of the scope base even with the high rings.
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In desperation, I grabbed a spare AR cantilever mount and mounted a 3x9x 40 Leupold Freedom. The next afternoon I dropped by the range once again. The 110 Magpul Scout chambered in .308 Win with a 1-10 rate of twist really liked the Hornady Custom ammo with a 150 SST bullets. The session ended with a 0.562 shot group. Other ammo specs printed acceptable group sizes under 1 ½” all with a 3 x 9 hunting scope a far cry from a precision target scope.
Overall
The Savage 110 Magpul Scout lived up to Cooper’s idea of what a scout rifle should be. What purpose does it serve? I am thinking a hunting situation in thick brush or a deer drive or any place where fast target acquisition is needed.
SPECIFICATIONS: Savage 110 Magpul Scout
- Caliber: .308 Winchester
- Barrel: 16.5 inches
- OA Length: 38.5 inches (.978 m)
- Weight: 8.4 lbs. (3.81 kg) (empty)
- Stock: Magpul (FDE)
- Sights: None
- Action: Bolt
- Finish: Matte black
- Capacity: 10+1
- MSRP: $1,099
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PERFORMANCE
| Hornady Custom 150-grain SST | |
| Average Velocity | 2,617 FPS |
| Best Group | 0.562 inches |
| Barnes VOR-X 168-grain TTSX | |
| Average Velocity | 2,564 FPS |
| Best Group | 1.312 inches |
| Federal Fusion 180-grain | |
| Average Velocity | 2,455 FPS |
| Best Group | 1.425 inches |
Bullet weight measured in grains, velocity in feet per second (fps) by chronograph and accuracy in inches for best three-shot groups at 100 yards.
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The post Hands On With Savage 110 Magpul Scout appeared first on Athlon Outdoors Exclusive Firearm Updates, Reviews & News.
