Thanks for the review. I'm seriously considering the FCP HS Precision with 24" barrel. It is currently running just under $1000 with certain distributors.
anybody else get the feeling that primary arms optics will be considered one of the top dogs in 10 to 15 years? it seems like they really got they're shit together...
I've mounted enough scopes poorly to finally learn my lesson. Start out with the base, then the rings. About the 2nd time I did a great mounting job on a factory loose base I learned my lesson. I take the base off, then use a bit of blue lock-tite on everything going up. No more moving optics.
Good show !! I took the same challange after a friend of mine spent huge $$$$ on an AI rifle and a SB scope. I bought the same Savage 10, but worked up my own load. 175 SMK over 42,4 gr of H4895 I did use la Bushnell 3.5-21X50 Elite 34mm tube & a G2 DMR FFP reticle. It is the nut behind the butt plate. at 71 years Ive been thet nut since 1962 . Paint and chrome don't get ya home.
got to check out the SWFA SS 10x42. for $299 there is nothing else out there that can even come close. great optics, perfect turret adjustments, and not to mention as rugged as they come.
Nice series and I enjoyed the project discussion. Unfortunately, I'm a bit critical of most consumer optics in general, often scoffing at budget glass. It was nice to hear that you were satisfied with a $229 scope! The only thing that could have made it better if if there not been any internal floaties or artifacts.
I did this same build a year ago with the same exact rifle and ended up with the BSA 4X14 and have been happy with the results so far. Try the following scopes SWFA SS fixed power (IMO best value fixed scope on the market) BSA 4X14 FFP (only avaiable from Midway similar to the Primary Arms) Falcon Menace (the scope the PA and BSA seem to be based off of) Keep up the great videos!!
I personally have been very happy with the SWFA scopes in fixed 10X and fixed 16X in Mil/Mil configuration. Very good glass and great accurate adjustments that track reliably. Other than paying a grand or more for a scope these are great options to 1000 yards for $300. Cant beat the price
I have that scope with the ACSS illuminated reticle, for $279.95 + the sunshade. IMO, it is outstanding, and the reticle is a big part of its attraction, along with the clarity. Thanks for your project. I intend to purchase a Savage 10T based on your results. Thus far I've used the scope on a 5.56 20" AR, 69 gr, and VG groups at 200yds with the 100 yd zero. With the dials noted, I'll zero the Primary Arms for both weapons.
Thanks MAC for helping me decide on the PA scope for my budget build. I went with the Mossberg MVP Flex 7.62 for the rifle (on sale for $498). I can't wait to get her to the range.
I know I’m late to the party here, but you really need to look into SWFA scopes. The fixed 10x and 12x are still (in 2018) right around $300! The are exceedingly tough and track with absolute precision. I understand that they are not variable power with fancy features, but the optical clarity is outstanding and they won’t break.
Glad to see Primary Arms coming through for the win, they have by far the best quality products for the money, and you just proved that. Great vid Tim!
@Military Arms Channel great series! I have a Savage model 10 LE I recommend the SWFA SS scope 299 you can't beat it! Next time you do a long range rifle series I highly recommend you do a review on the SWFA SS scope. They are a military spec optic and in my opinion are just as good as a Leupold mk4. I read the reviews prior to my purchase nothing but good reviews. The ONLY complaint I have with it that's it's 14" long to long to be mounted on my PTR-91 On the PTR-91 the charging handle rubs up against the bell. That's why on my PTR-91 I am looking at a couple of scope options for my DMR/hog gun project the Burris Mtac, the Leupold vxr patrol 3-9x40mm and the Leupold mk4 LR/T 4.5-14x40.
Thanks for this series. I have am opportunity to get a new Savage Model 10TR in .308 at an on-sale price that will leave something left over for other gear and still stay under the $1K. I had an older (2009) version of the Bushnell scope, same specs, on a Savage 12FTSS in .223, and it was an excellent performer. Sold it to a friend in a moment of weakness - he's still getting excellent service from it. Some of the scopes that people discuss on RU-vid as "budget" are either not easily available in Canada, or very, very costly. So, the range of choices is a bit different. I realize this series is now almost 4 years old, but everything you've mentioned is still applicable to putting together a $1K rifle that'll do 1000 metres. That's the hope, anyway! Thanks for posting.
I just ordered my Primary Arms 4x14 FFP scope!!! cant wait to put it on my Savage 10 FCP SR in 308!!! Thanks to this video i think I made the best choice for my budget. Thanks guys!!!
I went with the rem 700 sps tac and topped it with an swfa 10x42. The rem was 628 out the door and the glass with rings was 359 shipped to my house. Glass is really clear and crisp too!
my buddy had a bushnell 2400 elite on his .223 bolt weatherby vanguard and same thing, we tried and tried to sight that bugger in and at 100 yrds and we would go two clicks down, no movement, another 2 then three and we ended up at the bottom of the turret and it was still sitting 6 inches high at 100 yards.... we couldn't get it to move down whatsoever, I haven't seen or heard the greatest things about bushnell optics and with my personal experiences and now this I don't think ill ever purchase one, thanks for the interesting video MAC!
I'm surprised you're not considering a SWFA 10X. I'm very happy with the quality. Mine tracks perfectly and has a crisp clear image. The best part is I bought it on sale for $269 including rings.
Where did you buy it? Top rated scope! Navy special ops specs, Gov contract number so the scope build or specs, cannot be changed without approval from US Navy.
I have both the SWFA 10x and 3-15x and love them! Good glass, accurate adjustments and practically bullet proof. Don't get me wrong, I love my Euro optics, but nothing can touch the SWFA quality for their price.
I have the Primary Arms Scope on my Ruger American in .270win . I'm no sharpshooter by any means but this combo works like a champ, I'm very satisfied with the setup.
Military Arms Channel scope problem solved swfa super sniper 10x mrad turrets and mil quad reticle. 299.00 any better fixed powered scope will cost you 1200.00 us optics
Damn right. I have a Savage 10FP in .223 with a 12x SWFA SS scope and SWFA rings. 1/2 minute groups all day long, and the occasional 1/4 minute groups. (with handloads).
Thank you for trying to do this! There are alot of people that want to do this very same thing. I am going to try that Primary arms scope too but I am getting the newer one that cost a little more, "Primary Arms® New 4-14X44 Front Focal Plane Scope with Patented ACSS® Orion Reticle for .308/.223/30-06 Springfield $259.99". And I found a Savage 10 FCP-SR 24" barrel friday! I cant wait got to the range!!!! So thank you for help guide my choices! You were a big help!!
I have a Savage Model 10FP with a 24" heavy barrel and a Burris Fullfield II 3-9x50 w/BDC reticule that shoots like a dream... with hand loads. The Savage does poorly with most factory ammo, but once I started loading for it, my groups dropped to (no, I'm not lying) sub 1/4 MOA. 44.0gr of Varget behind a 168gr Hornady match bullet is magic. I am now wanting to upgrade my scope so that I can readily adjust out to 1000yds or more (I live at high elevation) but I'm not a MilRad guy. I have a Vortex Viper PST 6-24x50 FFP w/MOA reticule on my .338 Lapua that I love, but that's almost a $1000 scope on its own, so I will have to look at some other alternatives.
A fixed power scope is your friend in this quest for a budget of $1000. Check out Mueller, Weaver, or SWFA. I'm looking forward to the next installments in this series.
With some people there vids they blatantly lie about ranges 1,000 is actually 500 ect that’s why I love this guys because he never does you can tell when he fires you hear the steel 3 seconds later. And I love how he hit 1,000 yards with the $200 scope when the $450 one couldn’t
Primary Arms has some rock solid products. I own their CompM4 red dot clone and a 2.5x scope and love both. They have several new red/green dots worth checking out.
I might suggest a fixed power SWFA SS. I believe our Navy uses the 10x, but for $300 you can get the 12x, 16x, or 20x scopes too. Better yet you can get adjustments and reticle both in mils. Although I probably have to pick up a couple Primary Arms FFP to replace my budget MOA/mils scopes.
Mine? A standard M1917 with a brand new Criterion barrel. Removable scope mount with a Vortex Viper 6.5-20x 50mm PA. Using good .30-06 will tag stuff at 1000 all day long (or rather until the barrel gets hot).
I have the same scope and caliber on a Remmington 700 with a Timney trigger. It ends up at $1,500 all in but that also includes a great aluminum bedded stock.
Vortex Optics Viper HS-T Rifle Scope 30mm Tube 6-24x 50mm Side Focus VMR-1 MOA Reticle Matte, I'm happy about it, and easy to play, crispy eyesight.The 308 Savage FCP I have it as a gun smooth and accurate
Oh welcome to my life! I'm doing the same project with the same rifle. Mounted a Nikon 6-18 Buckmasters, scope worked well for about 200 rounds then came loose inside. So I debated for a while and got a Vortex Viper 3-9 in MOA, which lasted for 2 rounds before it began to wander!!! No problem, I'll switch to my 10/22's instead, had a Nikon P-22 2-7 on it that lasted for 3-6 rounds, sent it back to midway in exchange for a Vortex Crossfire II... that one was defective also!!! WTF!!! Switched to an AR with a Vortex viper PST 1-4x24, got 50 rounds into it and shots started stringing horizontally... Problem? Not sure, but I've got to box up and return at least 3 more scopes for repair, 2 that NEVER WORKED from the start. I'm thinking Zeiss Conquest next, or a Leupy VX-2 3-9x40.
Thanks for these reviews. they help a lot as i decide which optic to go with on my dad's old .30-06. With the results you achieved, $229 is a great deal.
One time I had occasion to talk to a Bushnell tech and he told me that the most common cause of a scope needing repair is that the rings were tightened to a higher torque than needed. Maybe that means they use a thinner tube material in their scopes. But that bit of information tells me something.
4:38 - I think I see the accuracy problem. I noticed a can of Mt Dew in the background. Every time a friend and I would shoot, he'd bring me a Mt Dew so my caffeinated trigger finger would be twitchin', so his shooting looked better by comparison.
This video is a game changer for Primary Arms scopes!!!!! And just think when you said "If you have time to get to the Primary Arms" Almost never happened!
+Mark White Actually, since this video was made and some time before this was made, Primary Arms has been sky rocketing in their popularity. PA is about the ONLY company that has put respect into Chinese built optics. Their 50, 000 hour $170 red dots are making wavestoo. Check out the finest DMR reticle in the world, their own in-house ACSS. Phenomenal!
It seemed like you were saying the strict head position behind the scope is a bad thing. I count that as a plus in my book because it will make you lined up exactly with with the scope and make sure you have the perfect cheek weld which is also good for holding the rifle steady. Also, are the mils on the scope and the spotting scope the same? That would cause lots of problems if they are not.
Military Arms Channel Thanks for this project I am getting a Ruger Predator 308 to do the about the same thing you are doing in this series. I really like the Primary Arms Orion 4-14 Scope that I figured would be awesome for hunting 100-500 yards but I wanted to be able to play at the 1000 yard range. I will be getting the Primary Arms Glass for sure.
Nice job that's a dang cool gun ur first video is what inspired me to get that .308 savage 10 but id got the fcp-k when I got to the range I was like what that's a bad boy I dig it man thanks for ur videos.
I'm building a .308 AR, keeping budget in mind, shopping around, but going for accuracy. I have budgeted in $500 for an optic, but then I saw the Primary Arms FFP scope, both the one you used in this video and the one with the ACSS/HUD reticle, both obviously under $300. I'm blown away by the apparent quality of the scopes and am pretty much sold...but, my question to you is, given the budget for a scope, are there any better choices out there? FFP is definitely a must for me.
I realize this is an older video but still i wish i had watched it sooner. I bought a Savage Axis in .270win that was barely used. The previous owner put a Bushnell on it and two different mounts on the rifle as well. Needless tl say i corrected that and am also having issues with the Bushnell scope getting it to consistently place shots. As soon as I am able I may look into a primary arms piece to replace it.
Love the video. Also love you tried multiple optics. I am in this 1000-1500$ price range shopping as we speak and it's nice to see a rifle that will do it. Especially less than 600$. Thanks for the video. I think I just found my next rifle.
I haven't had time to check out all of your videos, but have you tried the Leatherwood Cam-Puter 2X10 scope? I got one that I mounted on a PTR91. Haven't got it dialed in yet but have had issues with it not ranging to the 1000 mark. Can't turn it past 700 yds or so! Kind of annoyed about that. Supposedly you should be able to turn it EASILY to the 1000 yd mark but with both hands I can't! Called and asked questions and the fellow was helpful, but when I e-mailed that I wanted to return it to see if there was a problem I never heard anything back in over 8 months. Even after several e-mails. If you've tried the scope how did it work for you? Keep up the great videos!!
I have a Savage Law Enforcement Series Model 10 .308 Win in a Field Strike Cadex Chassis with a TRACT Toric 30mm FFP 4-20X50 MRAD PRS scope in a Spuhr 30mm Mount. And last a Terminator TT Brake. Obviously not a $1000 setup. More like a $4500 setup 😂 definitely a tack driver though as it should be. I added a Area 419 Arca Rail to the Chasis and shooting from a Tripod is on another level of awesome!
I've had similar experience with Bushnell scopes. Not impressed at all with their rifle optics anymore. I'm using a Redfield now due to budget constraints, and it has been fantastic - this is on my Savage .308. No 1000 yd ranges near me, but I have had it out to 600 without issue hitting sub 2" groups.
Hey Tim check out the SWFA SS line. Really good solid optic, good clarity,30mm tubes, positive tactile adjustments MIL/MIL Fixed 6,10,16,20X scopes for sub $300
i put a 280$ 6.5 CM 26" barrel on a 100$ savage 308 from a pawn shop, model 10. put a rifle basix ttrigger on it 145$, and a good heavy stock, and a vortex viper 4-16 FFp i had on a shelf, its a 1 mile gun
***** tnoutdoor I have the FCP in the HS precision stock and handload for it. It is a very accurate rifle, with the Viper 6-24 FFP. Fantastic combo, but more like $2k. Anyway, you can't go wrong with that rifle.
I have the 0 moa mounted, which I see will do for 1000 yards, but I'm going to get the 20moa when I start looking to reach out to 1 mile. Thanks for the reply!
I have the same rifle and I only shoot to 500Yrds (hunting), the rifle is a good bang for the buck and as far as the scope I use a Nikon 4-20 ( Bushnell/Nikon) awesome cheap rifle.
Falcon Menace, Primary Arms, and BSA all produce a 4-14x FFP optic. However only the BSA adjusts in 1/10mil increments and uses the TMD reticle, making it superior to the Primary Arms and Falcon Menace. I run it on my M1A EBR, it's held it's zero for nearly a year of regular shooting.
Hey Mac greetings from Northern Germany! i noticed that you use a strange pattern to tighten the Bolts on the scope mounting rings. i work as an engine desinger for a student motorsport team and when seating of a multiple bolt connection is crucial, like with a cylinder head or also the mounting rings on your scope, i would recommend using a Cross or Helix Pattern to tighten the bolts (Middle Left, Middle Right, Front left, Rear Right...) that way the surfaces will seat properly without "bumping" which could lead to losing zero on your scope multiple times after mechanical shocks, like firing.
Have you ever tested or heard of IJK Optics? i have one on the 1,000 yard rifle and it works fairly well. just need to sight it in better. It's their 6-24x50.
Common problem with low cost Bushnell scopes. I had one retical drift like that right out of the box, and several did it after shooting with large caliber rifles.
The SWFA Super Sniper is a great pick for under $300 its right at 299 in most places. 30mm 10x mil-dot reticule wit a 1/10 elevation and windage MRAD adjustments.
I have liked all of the videos I have seen on your channel. You are very thorough and knowledgeable. I would like to see a similar video to this one only with a cheap standard ar15 build. Keep up the awesome videos.
Great topic for a video, and well done and very enjoyable. Thanks. I'm a big fan of the Savage rifles, but I'm trying to go you one better. I bought a 6.5 Creedmoor Thompson Center Compass for under $200 in a crazy promotion deal. I put a 4-14X Vortex scope on it and my goal is a half MOA rifle for under $350. My TFP (Tree Fiddy Precision) rifle. I may need a better scope and I may need to work up some hand loads to get an honest .5 MOA. Next up - range time.
I have a Savage 10 FLCPK with a Redfield 6-9x40 Revolution Tac with weaver rings and EGW 20 moa scope base and a leather cheek pad/ammo holder made in Russia very nice quality. I have a black Brownells Competitor Plus M1907 Rifleman sling on it. The only problem is I have not been to the range yet and sight it in to see how it does I'm hoping to soon one of these days.
I love those Savage rifles (still making payments on a 110ba..lol). Not to hijack this vid for the Savage, but I just picked up a Howa (yeah I know, it's Japanese) Targetmaster 1500 heavy barrel (20" brl) in .308 with a Nikko Sterling 4-16x44 scope on a whim ($800 out the door), and i'm blown away by it. It's now my favorite bolt gun in my collection. Just a hair under 1/2 moa (with 168g Fed sierra match) out of the box, just made sure everything was tight first. Give it a try if you can get over the "Made in Japan" thing, it blows away any of my 700's for accuracy out of the box. And the trigger is just beautiful, 2.3-2.5 lbs. I don't work for them, just still giddy about the rifle...lol
I just picked up a similar rifle. Howa 1500 .308 bolt action rifle with Blackhawk Axiom stock and Nikko-Sterling Nighteater scope for $970 out the door in that configuration. I haven't shot it yet; but, I continue to hear good things about it. Gotta pop its cherry at the range this weekend.
Great info, I too am building a 1000+ yd rifle, and now you have me thinking about my scope options. Was planning on going with the Vortex Viper Pst 6-24x50 ffp. But if the Primary Arms can deliver the results for 1/3 of the price I may be changing my mind. Thank you , as always for the Honest review of these products.
So your at $829 now. What can you do with the remaining $171? Can't replace the stock for that little. You seem satisfied with the trigger and a bipod isn't very expensive. Maybe putting some extra ka-ching into better scopes is the way to go?
MAC, check out the Falcon Menace FFP 4-14X44 FALM14IR. It is very similar in features to the Vortex Viper PST 4-16x50 for about half the price. I believe SWFA is the only US retailer that carries it.
That Premier Rifle scope looks nice for the cost especially with a FFP. I'd like to see them make a FFP like the one but preferably in the 4-16x50 range and I would totally buy!
Regardless of what you found, If the scope does not move, or moves 3 for two, the reticle ring is probably sticking. If you move it and nothing happens, then tap the turret and it moves, you can be sure it is sticking. There is no real fix in the home shop. Send it back to them for repair and they will probably replace it.
I'll say this. SWFA and others in that price range are in trouble if more people start trying out Primary arms 4x14 line. I am terrible at working out firing solutions and now with the ACSS/.308 reticle it takes about 5 seconds and no turret cranking or "0" to be concerned with. Have fun, Gerry
make sure you do some stress testing of the optic. some people have reported quality issues related to high recoil rifles. ive nothing against primary arms, in fact i just recieved my md-06L from them and love it. just doing some due diligence as a critic :)
"...looks like there was definitely a problem with the Bushnell..." SHOCKER!! I had to return two bad pairs of Bushnell binocs (severe collimation issues right out of the box) before switching to Vortex...and I'm never going back.
Excellent video MAC, glad to see the project is working out. I have had really good luck with several SWFA Super Sniper scopes (now called SS I believe) and Vortex Viper’s when my budget has been tight. I have not tried nor heard of Primary Arms... I look forward to seeing the tracking tests with the PA scope. A other option in the market is always a good.
I'm really glad your doing this video because I want to get into longer range shooting but I don't want to spend $2,000+ on a set up. If you can please do some more reviews on some more and better scopes
I don't know a lot about savages, but I have the action screws on my Remington 700 at 65 inch-pounds. I don't know if that will increase your rifles precision though.
