Elevate Your Long-Range Precision: The Leupold BackCountry Cross-Slot 20 MOA Base for Savage 10 Rifles

For serious shooters, hunters, and precision rifle enthusiasts who demand unwavering accuracy and robust performance, selecting the right scope mounting system is paramount. It’s often said that a rifle is only as accurate as its weakest link, and a subpar scope base can undermine even the finest optics and firearms. If you're looking to push the boundaries of long-range shooting with your Savage 10 Short Action rifle featuring a round receiver, the Leupold 171337 BackCountry Cross-Slot 1-Piece Base with 20 MOA Cant is engineered to provide the foundational stability you need.

This isn't just another piece of rifle hardware; it's a precision-machined component designed to optimize your rifle's performance at extended distances. But what makes this specific Leupold base a crucial upgrade for your Savage 10, and why is a 20 MOA cant so beneficial for long-range applications? Let's delve into the specifics and explore how this base empowers shooters to achieve their most ambitious ballistic goals.

Unleashing Long-Range Potential: Why 20 MOA Matters

One of the standout features of the Leupold 171337 BackCountry base is its integrated 20 MOA (Minutes of Angle) slope. For those new to long-range shooting, or perhaps wondering "Why do I need an angled scope base?", understanding MOA is fundamental. MOA is an angular measurement used in ballistics and optics to quantify adjustments and trajectories. A 20 MOA cant means the scope base is subtly angled downwards towards the muzzle, effectively pre-loading your scope's elevation turret.

What does this achieve?

• Maximizes Elevation Travel: When shooting at extreme distances, bullet drop becomes significant. Your scope has a finite amount of internal elevation adjustment. By canting the scope down at the muzzle end, you inherently point the reticle "up" relative to the bore. This consumes 20 MOA of your scope's downward adjustment range, but in return, it frees up 20 MOA of upward adjustment. This is critical because long-range shooting primarily requires upward adjustments to compensate for bullet drop. Essentially, it allows you to utilize more of your scope's valuable elevation range for actual shooting at extended distances, preventing you from "running out of clicks."
• Optimized Zeroing: While you might initially use more of your scope's elevation to zero at 100 or 200 yards, this ensures that your optical sweet spot (where the lenses perform best) is maintained further into the long-range spectrum.
• Reduced Stress on Optics: By not having to dial your scope to its mechanical limits for elevation, you reduce stress on the internal mechanisms, potentially prolonging the life and maintaining the precision of your valuable optic.

This 20 MOA cant is a game-changer for anyone serious about hitting targets at 600 yards, 1000 yards, or even beyond. Without it, many shooters find their scope's internal adjustments simply aren't enough to compensate for the dramatic bullet drop over such distances.

The Robust Foundation: Crafted from 7075-T6 Aluminum

The Leupold BackCountry Cross-Slot base isn't just about clever angles; it's also about uncompromising strength and durability. Constructed from premium 7075-T6 aluminum, this base represents a pinnacle of material science applied to firearms accessories.

Why is 7075-T6 Aluminum superior for scope bases?

• Exceptional Strength-to-Weight Ratio: 7075-T6 is an aerospace-grade aluminum alloy known for its incredible strength, often compared to steel in terms of tensile strength, yet it remains remarkably lightweight. Weighing in at a mere 1.80 ounces, this 1-piece base adds minimal bulk to your rifle system, which is crucial for maintaining balance and maneuverability, particularly in hunting scenarios or competitive shooting where every ounce counts.
• Outstanding Durability: This alloy offers excellent resistance to fatigue and stress cracking, meaning it can withstand the repeated shock and recoil generated by powerful rifle cartridges without deforming or losing its integrity. This translates directly into unwavering zero retention, giving you confidence in every shot.
• Corrosion Resistance: Aluminum naturally forms an oxide layer that protects it from corrosion, ensuring that your scope base remains pristine and functional even in harsh environmental conditions, from damp hunting grounds to dusty desert ranges.
• Precision Machinability: 7075-T6 aluminum can be precisely machined to incredibly tight tolerances, which is essential for a scope base where every thousandth of an inch matters for perfect alignment and stability.

The matte black finish further enhances its durability, providing a non-reflective surface that resists scratches and blends seamlessly with most rifle aesthetics.

Seamless Integration: Designed for Savage 10 Round Receiver Short Action

Compatibility is key, and the Leupold 171337 BackCountry base is specifically engineered to provide a perfect fit for Savage 10 rifles with a round receiver and short action. Savage Arms is renowned for its accurate rifles, and pairing one with a purpose-built Leupold base ensures that you capitalize on that inherent precision.

What does "Savage 10 Round Receiver Short Action" mean for compatibility?

• Savage 10: This refers to the specific model family of Savage bolt-action rifles, known for their "floating bolt head" design and adjustable AccuTrigger.
• Round Receiver: Savage offers rifles with both flat and round receiver designs. This base is precisely contoured to mate flawlessly with the round profile, ensuring maximum surface contact and stability.
• Short Action (SA): Rifle actions are categorized by their length, corresponding to the cartridges they can chamber (e.g., .223 Remington, .308 Winchester are short action cartridges, while .30-06 Springfield, .300 Win Mag are long action). This base is dimensioned for the shorter bolt travel and receiver length of short action cartridges, guaranteeing proper alignment and minimal footprint.

This dedicated fit eliminates any potential for play or misalignment, which can severely impact accuracy, especially at long ranges. The 1-piece design further enhances rigidity, providing a rock-solid platform for your chosen optic.

Versatile Mounting: Picatinny and Weaver Ring Compatibility

The "Cross-Slot" design of this Leupold base is not just a feature; it's a testament to its versatility. It is designed to accept both Picatinny- and Weaver-style rings, offering shooters maximum flexibility in their choice of scope rings.

Understanding Picatinny vs. Weaver:

• Picatinny (MIL-STD-1913): This is a standardized rail system characterized by specific slot dimensions and spacing, allowing for precise and repeatable mounting of accessories. It is known for its robust and secure locking mechanism.
• Weaver: A slightly older, less standardized system than Picatinny, but still widely used. Weaver slots are generally wider than Picatinny slots, and while Picatinny accessories can often fit Weaver rails (though sometimes loosely), Weaver accessories typically won't fit Picatinny rails due to the slot width.

The Leupold BackCountry Cross-Slot base bridges this gap, providing slots that are compatible with both prevalent ring types. This means you won't be limited in your choice of high-quality scope rings, whether you prefer Leupold's own rings or those from other reputable manufacturers. The cross-slot design also ensures a positive engagement with the recoil lugs on your scope rings, effectively preventing scope creep under heavy recoil.

A Component Designed for Performance and Reliability

When considering an upgrade for your rifle, the Leupold 171337 BackCountry base isn't just an accessory; it's a performance enhancer. It's built for the shooter who understands that precision is a sum of its parts, and every component contributes to the final outcome downrange.

Key advantages of this Leupold base include:

• Enhanced Accuracy: By providing a stable, precisely aligned platform and the critical 20 MOA cant, it directly contributes to more accurate shot placement at extended distances.
• Unwavering Zero Retention: The robust 7075-T6 aluminum construction and 1-piece design ensure your scope stays zeroed, even after repeated shots or during transport in challenging terrain.
• Lightweight Design: At just 1.80 ounces, it adds negligible weight, maintaining the balance and handling characteristics of your rifle.
• Ease of Installation: This 1-piece base comes with all necessary mounting hardware, making installation straightforward for anyone with basic gunsmithing knowledge. Proper torque specifications should always be followed for secure mounting.
• Leupold's Legendary Quality: Leupold is a name synonymous with American-made quality, ruggedness, and a lifetime of performance. This base carries that tradition forward, engineered and rigorously tested to withstand the harshest conditions.

Is This the Right Scope Base for Your Needs?

If you frequently ask yourself questions like:

• "How can I extend the effective range of my Savage 10 Short Action rifle?"
• "What's the best way to ensure my scope holds zero under heavy recoil?"
• "I'm running out of elevation adjustment on my scope at long distances, what's the solution?"
• "Which scope base offers the best blend of strength, lightness, and versatility for my Savage 10?"

Then the Leupold 171337 BackCountry Cross-Slot 20 MOA Base is likely the answer. It solves the common problem of limited elevation travel at long range, provides a rock-solid mounting foundation, and ensures compatibility with a wide array of rings. Whether you're a competitive PRS shooter, a dedicated long-range hunter, or simply a marksman looking to maximize your rifle's potential, this base is an indispensable tool.

When investing in such a critical component, choosing a reputable source is important. This Leupold BackCountry base, identified by its UPC 030317011963 and MPN 171337, is available at DEGuns, a trusted retailer for genuine Leupold products and firearms accessories.

Product Specifications Summary

Feature	Detail
Brand	Leupold
Model	BackCountry
Series	Cross-Slot Base
Firearm Fit	Savage 10 Round Receiver Short Action
Pieces	1
MOA Cant	20
Material	7075-T6 Aluminum
Color	Matte Black
Mount Type	To Receiver
Style	Cross-Slot (Picatinny & Weaver Compatible)
Weight	1.80 oz
Length	6.30"
Includes	Mounting Hardware
Rings	Not Included
SKU	101045
UPC	030317011963
MPN	171337