Savage Arms and Leupold Optics - A Match Made In Heaven?
Matt and Brad from NIOA TV visited Savage Arms and Leupold Optics to test and showcase the raw capabilities of products from these iconic shooting brands.
Savage’s gunmakers helped the NIOA guys assemble their own rifles, unmodified and fitted with newly-made Leupold VX5HD scopes. Competing in distance-based shootouts, Matt and Brad asked whether it’s equipment, skill - or both - that makes a marksman.
Savage Arms
Inventor Arthur Savage founded the now-iconic Savage Arms in 1894 based on long-standing traditions, personal hunting experiences and innovation.
Senior Materials Supervisor Wayne Kratochvil helped Matt create a Savage UltraLight 110 in camo, while Brad opted for the Savage Impulse Mountain Hunter - both from scratch.
Assembling his 6.5mm Creedmoor Impulse rifle under expert instruction, Brad achieved impressive precision - 2.10lb trigger pressure off the bat demonstrating Savage’s refined assembly processes. Matt’s more complex UltraLight took longer, but turned out well.
Did you know? Optimum trigger pressure is around 2 - 3 lb, leaning to the higher weighting for lower temperatures or challenging quarry.
Leupold Optics
Leupold & Stevens’ journey started when Marcus Leupold, frustrated by subpar hunting optics, sought to create the world’s leading rifle scopes. Driven to outdo themselves, Leupold uses custom assembly tools to create exceptional scopes carrying “a lifetime guarantee you’ll never use.”
Matt and Brad visited Leupold’s Beaverton, OR factory, where they chose Leupold VX5HD 3-15x44 riflescopes. Made from T6 aircraft aluminium, they’re rigorously tested to facilitate progressive learning and improvement. Cold, impact, heat, salt fog, military and underwater vacuum testing ensure perfect seals preventing fog and maintaining clarity.
With excellent contrast, colour and a 3-15x magnification range, the VX5 is versatile enough for any shooting situation - especially target shooting across increasingly challenging distances in adverse conditions.
The Shootout - Part 1
At a frigid Westfield, MA outdoor shooting range, the pair tested their new Savage rifles. With the VX5-HD’s ultra-wide magnification and light transmission, they easily sighted a 175 yard target despite snow and atmospheric haze - and Matt’s prolific excuses.
The boys exchanged rifles, the combination of rifle and scope compensating for Matt’s self-confessed skill deficit.
Proving Savage’s meticulous gun manufacturing processes and component craftsmanship, Matt and Brad achieved clean shots and regular grouping consistent with their respective capabilities and weapons.
“Good optics - great guns - awesome shooters!”
The Shootout - Part 2
Contrastingly, part two took place under blue skies on the arid Leupold range in Madras.
The VX-5 ensured even competition with outstanding glare reduction and unwavering clarity that facilitated precise shooting despite the bright sun. As target distances increased, Brad and Matt maintained accuracy with impressive fine-tuning and extra elevation from the VX5’s CDS® ZeroLock® 2 dial.
Shooting over 204, 470, 570, 686, 850 and 1,004-yard distances, Brad achieved almost uniform centre hits - easily beating his personal 470-yard longest shot record. Matt struggled somewhat, but achieved impact at each distance. “Brad had a lot more encouragement,” came the dry quip.
The verdict? It’s the rifleman that counts - but with tools like Savage and Leupold’s in your hands, you’ll improve and succeed exponentially.
