So, I picked up a savage Rascal because I am lucky enough to have two boys (age 5 and 2) and two young nephews of the exact same age. I figured that I better get ready to show the young lads what it is all about and the Rascal seemed to fit the bill perfectly. I did go to the store with the intention to buy a Savage Cub, but the updated Rascal won me over. I put 400 rounds through it during my first outing and I was able to hit empty 12g shells at 50m with the peep sights off the bench. I figured that perhaps this wee rifle was capable of much more, so I though I better scope it just to see. Now, I have zero intention of keeping it scoped. It just seemed to point and shoot better with the peeps, but for the sake of testing I mounted a 3x9x40 Bushnell Trophy scope. No one has mounts for this wee rifle yet (including Savage) so I had to make some up to fit, but they ended up working perfectly. Here is the subject all ready to go:
Now, I decided only to try basic regular Canadian tire type bulk ammo. I figured that this rifle will only see that anyway, as the young lads will prolly be trying to get minute of pop can at 25m anyway, so only bulk and cheap ammo was tested. I had the range to myself here in beautiful BC
I zeroed the scope at 50m and for the first time ever for me I had found a rifle that was very accurate with Winchester Wildcat! This is a 10 shot group shot from the bench. It was by no means a fluke, as all the Wildcats grouped very well out of this rifle. The second best grouping ammo was CCI Blazer. Again, I have never had or even seen a rifle that shot Blazers even slightly well.
Now, I am going to mention that this rifle is a very smooth and easy to operate rifle, BUT it does not like to be dirty. I started to get quite a few extraction/ejection issues after 500 rounds. I am willing to forgive this as it is a new gun and it is very accurate, so it gets a free pass from me on this. After a quick spray with some brake cleaner and a little lube it was fine.
Overall I am giving this kids rifle 8/10 and I would highly recommend it to anyone. It lost points for the reliability issues after only 500 rounds. I figure it is a kids gun and a single shot, so it should be VERY reliable.
Now, I decided only to try basic regular Canadian tire type bulk ammo. I figured that this rifle will only see that anyway, as the young lads will prolly be trying to get minute of pop can at 25m anyway, so only bulk and cheap ammo was tested. I had the range to myself here in beautiful BC
I zeroed the scope at 50m and for the first time ever for me I had found a rifle that was very accurate with Winchester Wildcat! This is a 10 shot group shot from the bench. It was by no means a fluke, as all the Wildcats grouped very well out of this rifle. The second best grouping ammo was CCI Blazer. Again, I have never had or even seen a rifle that shot Blazers even slightly well.
Now, I am going to mention that this rifle is a very smooth and easy to operate rifle, BUT it does not like to be dirty. I started to get quite a few extraction/ejection issues after 500 rounds. I am willing to forgive this as it is a new gun and it is very accurate, so it gets a free pass from me on this. After a quick spray with some brake cleaner and a little lube it was fine.
Overall I am giving this kids rifle 8/10 and I would highly recommend it to anyone. It lost points for the reliability issues after only 500 rounds. I figure it is a kids gun and a single shot, so it should be VERY reliable.
