Mounting a Scope to Your Savage REVEL

The new Savage REVEL lever action rimfire rifle is perfect for plinking at the range or hunting small game. If you want to stretch the legs on your new REVEL, the receiver is drilled and tapped to accept a scope mount for attaching your favorite optic. We’ll go through the process of where to find your REVEL scope base and how to properly attach it to the rifle so you can get out to the field in no time!

Before you get started – make sure your firearm is unloaded, clear of ammunition and the safety is on.

Getting Started

• Savage REVEL

• Scope

• Scope base 

• Rings

• Thread locker

• Cleaning cloth

• Isopropyl alcohol

• Torque screwdriver

• Work area with something to securely hold the rifle, like a shooting rest

**Be sure no ammunition is present.**

A good mounting job starts with the right mounting accessories – rings and bases. Before you begin, make sure that your rings and bases are compatible with each other, the rifle and optic. A Picatinny REVEL scope base is currently available from Evolution Gun Works. The REVEL’s receiver is drilled and tapped for size #6-48 screws. 

You will want to mount the scope as close to the barrel of the REVEL as possible. If you’re not sure which size of scope rings to pick, contact the scope or ring manufacturer for recommendations.

Attaching the Scope Base

We recommend "dry fitting" the bases and rings with the scope before applying any thread locker or torque. The orientation of the bases or rings may need to be moved to ensure proper eye relief and fit, so it's best to know where your pieces need to be before they are torqued properly. Some shooters prefer to snug down the scope base screws, install the scope rings and position the scope before coming back to thread lock the base.

1. Use a cleaning cloth to ensure all surfaces of the receiver, bases, rings, and optic are clean. Use a de-greaser or isopropyl alcohol to remove grease, oil, dirt, and debris. 

2. Check that the screw holes on the base align with the holes in the receiver. The EGW REVEL scope base is designed specifically for the Savage REVEL, so it should be a perfect fit!

3. Apply a small amount of thread locker onto the scope base screws. 

Important Note - Make sure you do not apply an excessive amount of thread locker onto the scope base screws. The use of excessive thread locker can cause the excess to run into the action causing cycling issues.

4. If the base has two different lengths of screws, make sure you have them placed in the correct positions (longer screws go in the rear, shorter screws go in the front).

5. Use a torque wrench to tighten the base screws into the receiver. Follow the base manufacturer's recommendation for torque specs. Alternate between the front and back screws to distribute the force. Make sure you’re using the proper screwdriver tip to avoid gouging and marring the screws.

Mounting Your Scope

After your scope base is securely attached to the rifle, it is time to position and mount your scope and rings! 

Installing Scope Rings and Positioning the Scope

1. Loosely mount the rings on the base, tighten screws just enough to hold everything in place.

2. Remove the top halves of the rings (we recommend keeping them in sets).

3. Place your scope in the bottom halves of the rings.

4. Replace the top halves of the rings and loosely tighten the screws – again, snug enough to hold everything in place for right now. This is so you can adjust the optic’s position for proper eye relief.

5. With the optic on the lowest power setting, shoulder the rifle (pointed in a safe direction) and look through the optic.

6. Move the optic forward or rearward until you have a full sight picture through the optic. You don’t want to see a dark ring around the edges.

7. Check the sight picture with the optic on the highest power setting

8. Once the optic is positioned properly, mark the tube with a marker, a piece of tape, or in some other way so you have a reference of its position when you come back to tighten the screws.

9. Use a leveling tool on the receiver to make sure the firearm is level with the ground for mounting

10. Level the scope. You can use the "old reliable method" by hanging a plumb bob or a weight on a string across the room. Look at the string through the optic and adjust the scope to ensure the reticle is plumb. You can also use bubble levels, which are often included in most scope mounting kits.

Tightening Screws

Now you can start tightening the screws! Since you have already positioned the scope for good eye relief and level reticle, we recommend only working on one ring at a time.

1. Remove the top half of one ring.

2. Snug down the ring screws in an alternating pattern.

3. Repeat this process with the other ring.

4. Once all the screws are snugged down on both rings, it’s time to finally tighten with a torque screwdriver. Check the ring manufacturer's recommendation for torque specs. Typically, 15-20 inch pounds is sufficient, but it can vary based on design. It’s important to not over-tighten the screws – this can cause damage to the optic.

Once your scope is successfully mounted to your Savage REVEL, it’s time to head out to the range to get it zeroed!

Safe firearm ownership is your responsibility. When something does not sound, feel, or look right, seek the advice of a professional gunsmith immediately.

If you have any questions, please refer to your owner’s manual and call our customer service team at 1-800-370-0708 (Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm ET)