Savage Arms has re-entered the Scout Rifle club with their new Model 11 Scout Rifle. When the first round of popularity for the scout rifle hit, Savage offered the Model 10FCM Scout. The new Model 11 Scout Rifle takes the original idea and adds a few technological advancements to enhance the overall functionality of this iconic rifle.
This new Model 11 Scout Rifle is another very nice offering in a line of new rifles produced by Savage Arms, that combine traditional features of popular rifles, and improve on those rifles with the latest enhancements in rifle manufacturing. Savage continues to produce rifles that can compete with the other major rifle manufacturers, and in some ways outperform them. The Savage Accu-Trigger started an explosion in adjustable weight triggers with the famous front trigger bar that provides the shooter outstanding trigger awareness and pull.
The term “scout rifle” was first solidified as a rifle concept by the famous Col. Jeff Cooper. There were specific design features that had to be a part of the rifle, to be considered a true “scout” rifle. In essence Cooper ‘s “scout rifle” would be a .308 caliber or 7mm-08 carbine, with a few extra features to set it apart. Those features included:
Cooper Scout Rifle Features
- Unloaded weight – 3 kg (6.6 lbs.) with accessories; max 3.5 kilograms (7.7 lbs.)
- Overall length – 1 meter (39 inches) or less
- Forward-mounted telescopic sight, typically 2x – 3x (not mandatory)
- Ghost ring auxiliary rear iron sight, and typically a square post front sight
- “Ching” or “CW” sling – Cooper advocated using a sling as a shooting aid
- Caliber – .308 Winchester/7.62×51mm NATO or 7mm-08 Remington
- Accuracy – Capable of shooting 2 MOA or less (4″) at 200 meters/yards (3 shot groups).
These weight and length of Cooper’s “scout” rifle place them into the general class of carbines. The use of a forward mounted, low magnification scope/optic preserves the shooter’s peripheral vision, while keeping the ejection port open allowing the use of stripper clips to reload the rifle. It also eliminates any chance of the scope striking one’s brow during recoil. This feature, though very beneficial to a “scout” rifle, was not mandatory to Cooper, a former Marine Lt. Colonel, who appreciated a “rifleman” who still shot accurately with just the iron sights.
Savage Arms Model 11 Scout Rifle
- Series – Law Enforcement
- Caliber – .308 WIN
- Length – 40.5″
- Barrel length – 18.0″
- Weight – 7.8 lbs.
- Trigger – AccuTrigger
- Stock – AccuStock
- Magazine – Detachable box (10-round)
- Stock material – Synthetic
- Barrel material – Carbon Steel
- Stock finish – Matte
- Barrel finish – Matte
- Stock color – Natural
- Barrel color – Black
- Sights – Adjustable iron sights
- Features – Includes a one piece rail (mounted)
- MSRP – $794.00.
Savage Model 11 Scout Features
There are several features that I appreciate on the Model 11 Scout from Savage. First, and foremost, is the inclusion of the incredible Savage Accu-Trigger. The Accu-Trigger allows the shooter to manually set the trigger weight to their desired level, and has the favorable trigger bar that extends outward past the middle of the actual trigger. This trigger bar acts as a positive point of reference to the shooter, without the concern of a negligent discharge. When extended the trigger bar prevents the trigger from retracting to fire.
In addition to this positive contact, the Accu-Trigger provides the shooter a safe pre-squeeze motion before the actual trigger is engaged. This feature allows the shooter to get into a very good trigger pull even before engaging the trigger, and then has the added benefit of knowing the trigger is being engaged once the trigger bar meets up with the actual trigger. I have fired the Accu-Trigger on several occasions and have found it to be an excellent trigger.
A close second is the design for a detachable box magazine. I have written on several occasions of this superior design to enclosed box magazines. Detachable box magazines are much easier to load, and load properly. In addition, they provide higher capacity, and much quicker magazine changes. They are truly a force multiplier, and in my opinion, a must have for a serious law enforcement rifle.
The next feature that stands out to me is the adjustable cheek weld. There is no way a manufacturer can design a mass-produced rifle to fit every shooter’s face and length of pull. The adjustable cheek weld give the shooter the ability to place the stock exactly where their shooting eye needs to be for straight on sighting. This is a huge feature that cannot be underplayed. A partner to the unique positioning of the Savage Model 11 are the easily installed or removed rubber butt stock extensions. Though not as finely adjusted as the cheek weld, these inserts can provide almost every shooter the length of pull that will fit their needs.
The Model 11 Scout comes with a nice set of iron sights, including an adjustable ghost-ring rear sight. The muzzle break is nicely designed to reduce recoil on the shorter and lighter Scout rifle, while directing muzzle blast away from the shooter’s sight picture. The enlarged bolt head is another great feature, that provides the shooter with a much greater assurance of grasp and running the bolt. Like Cooper desired, Savage has added a forward-mounted Picatinny rail to allow the shooter to mount the scope or holographic optic of their choosing. However, if the shooter prefers a more long-distance accuracy, the Savage Model 11 is already drilled for traditional scope mounts. Finally, there are three sling mounts, so the shooter can carry the Savage Model 11 Scout in the method they prefer.
Law Enforcement Applications
The Savage Model 11 Scout is an interesting rifle that I feel has a unique place in law enforcement. Initial shooters have commented on its accuracy, though it may not be as accurate a law enforcement snipers must have. However, the lightweight, shorter Scout rifle could provide a sniper, or at least an especially trained police marksman, a much greater ability to put rounds on target than most traditional patrol rifles chambered in 5.56mm.
The larger caliber .308 is an excellent round, and does not have as harsh a recoil as the .30-06 or 7mm magnum. The officer is able to provide .30 caliber rounds, with moderate to excellent accuracy using an appropriate magnified scope. The Scout rifle allows an officer to move quickly and fairly unencumbered, and can be quite helpful in penetrating intermediate barriers such as glass, hollow doors, furniture, car doors, etc. should the need arise.
The time it takes to call out a SWAT team, with its snipers, is usually around an hour from the time of call. The Scout rifle, placed in the hands of properly trained police patrol marksman, could be an excellent rifle to assist in ending a threat that may not be capable of stopping with more traditional means. This can be particularly beneficial to smaller agencies that do not have their own SWAT team.