Pix of my new savage FCP-K

[timelinex]

So I just got my savage FCP-K in, and put everything together. I thought I would upload some pix for anyone thinking about getting one. I'll try to get some better quality pix but for some reason these came out bad. The setup is with a Vortex Viper 6.5-20x50mm, EGW 20moa base,and burris XTR low rings.

The only problem I had was finding a good location for the scope. I had to put the rings as far back as I could to where the objective still had clearance and the scope as far back on the rings as I could. Even after all this and making the setup look off centered, Its barely far back enough for a semi-comfortable cheek position. If it was up to me I would have it a full 1-1.5 inches farther back.

Am I doing something wrong or is the eye relief on this scope just not that great?

 

[egomaniak06]

Very nice! congrats on the new rifle

 

[Jimro]

It sounds like you are having a problem wrapping your body around the rifle.

Place the rifle in your firing shoulder, drop it across your body, place your cheek on the stock. Raise your firing elbow high to create a good pocket. If that doesn't give you plenty of eye relief. When you are shooting, from standing, sitting, or prone you should keep your non-firing shoulder further forward than your firing shoulder.

The advertised 3-3.3 inches of eye relief should be more than enough unless you are placing your head very far back or are a very small person. If you are very small you should have the stock cut down. Check length of pull by placing the buttpad in the crook of your firing elbow, your trigger finger should be able to easily reach the trigger. If not you need the stock cut down.

Jimro

 

[timelinex]

Took it to the range yesterday. Eye relief ended up being ok with this current setup. With recoil it ALMOST hit's me though, but not quite. I can't comment on the accuracy, as the entire time I was working on zeroing, and getting used to the recoil of the rifle. For what its worth I had a 3 shot group at 50 yards that was basically all in one hole. But most my other shooting was not so great.

The recoil from the rifle onto my shoulder was nonexistant. The pad and brake did its job. Didn't feel a thing.

My absolute favorite thing about this rifle so far is the trigger. I love the accutrigger. When I'm preparing I squeeze the insert, and when Im ready just a very slight squeeze fires. It takes almost no effort and breaks like glass. It still 'surprises' me every time how easily and crisply it breaks, even 30 shots later. I never thought my trigger was too bad on my 22, but after this I went back to my 22 and thought I never released the bolt. Turns out I just didn't press hard enough on the trigger, felt like trying to push a wall with my finger.

I will try out the recommendations you posted Jimro

 

[Smaug]

I was about to comment on the eye relief. I put a Pentax 4x32 on my Marlin 1894 in 44 Magnum, and mounted it far back enough that I had just the right eye relief for a full scope picture. A couple of times, it hammered me in the safety glasses hard enough that I felt like I'd been hit in the nose.

Some folks say this rifle "has no recoil" but I beg to differ. With a 240 gr. bullet and a full charge of H110, it is a healthy kick, and my shoulder was bruised after about 50 rounds.

In the end, I decided to give up on the elusive full scope picture and settled for maybe 3/4 scope picture in the interest of not getting hammered in the face any more.

I've never heard of the scope brand you've got. I try to at least stick with known optics companies, if I can't afford the big scope brands. Pentax is a good value. I've also found the middle and higher end BSAs to be good. Weavers are more expensive than BSA and Pentax, less expensive than Leupold, but optically are as good as Leupold, Burris, and Nikon. Just food for thought if you decide to change scopes.

 

[ndking1126]

I like those Savages, glad to hear it seems to live up to their name.

But I gotta ask.. seems like on one hand you are saying you had to get used to the recoil and it almost hits you in the face, but then on the other hand you say the recoil felt non-existant on your shoulder?

 

[timelinex]

Hey Smaug, Im not sure how you haven't heard of vortex. They are a dominant company no days. Their glass and quality are up there with the best.

Let me try to clarify what I meant by recoil. I have mainly only used 22's, which have virtually no kick back. The recoil on this rifle was enough that it pulled the rifle out of it's place, and it was harder for me to keep still and 'follow through' on the shot. This could very well be just my inexperience with larger calibers. On the other hand why I said you don't feel anything on the shoulder is it comes with a 2-3 inch thick super soft recoil pad on the stock. So while my shoulder might have moved from the recoil, I felt not one bit of discomfort after 30+ shots in one day.

 

[Rimfire5]

timelinex

I have a Savage 10 FP in .308 and also love it.

The recoil pad is great.
I also iniitally had some concerns about the movement of the rifle after it fired, although the recoil didn't bother me, the movement did.
I felt that by letting the rifle get out of control, I could be causing it to be less accurate than it could be.

I worked on my position, my hold and then found out about front loading the bipod. Since you have a bipod mounted I'll assume you are using it.

After I get set up and about ready to shoot, I lean my shoulder forward just enough to put some forward pressure on the bipod, Since the legs fold forward, this makes the bipod steady and become firm and when I fire, the bipod doesn't jump up, the whole rifle just comes back into my shoulder.
It works well enough that I don't lose the target in the scope, although the scope moves enough to go grey/black for an instant as the rifle moves the scope back closer to my eye but the sight picture recovers as the rifle settles back to the original position.
At 100 yards, the scope gets right back on the aimpoint and I can see the new hole in the target.
Before I worked on my technique, I had to move the rifle to find the target again.

Working on my techinque has really helped my set up and accuracy with all my rifles that I shoot off a bipod. With my .223 CZ 527, the rifle movement is so light that I can see the bullet hit the target at 100 yards.
With my .22-250 Remington 700, I can see the bullet hole just after it hits.

You have a great rifle there and I'm sure you will really enjoy it.
Try to find a hold that is comfortable, lets you relax without getting loose, and lets the rifle come straight back instead of moving around and losing the target. Then you won't even notice the 'recoil' because it won't take you off the target aim point.