Optimizing Your Rifle's Performance: The Leupold BackCountry Cross-Slot Scope Base for Savage 110/Axis Long Action Rifles

For any serious shooter, hunter, or precision rifle enthusiast, the foundation of an accurate system isn't just the rifle itself, nor the optic; it's the critical connection between the two. A robust, reliable scope base is paramount, acting as the bedrock upon which all subsequent accuracy depends. This is precisely where the Leupold BackCountry Cross-Slot Scope Base, specifically designed for Savage 110/Axis Round Receiver Long Action rifles, stands out as an indispensable component for achieving consistent, long-range precision.

Imagine preparing for that critical shot, whether on a distant steel target or elusive game, only to find your scope's adjustments are maxed out, or worse, your zero shifts due to a flimsy mount. This common frustration is precisely what the Leupold BackCountry base is engineered to eliminate. It provides an unyielding platform, ensuring your valuable optic remains precisely aligned and your elevation adjustments are maximized for those challenging extended distances.

Why Is a High-Quality Scope Base Crucial for Your Savage 110/Axis?

The Savage 110 and Axis series rifles are renowned for their out-of-the-box accuracy and exceptional value. However, to truly unlock their full potential, especially for long-range engagements, a superior mounting solution is essential. Generic or low-quality bases can introduce flex, inconsistent torque, and unreliable zero retention, undermining the rifle's inherent precision.

A premium base like the Leupold BackCountry addresses these issues head-on. It ensures:

• Consistent Zero Retention: Your point of impact remains true, shot after shot, even under recoil or harsh environmental conditions.
• Optimal Scope Performance: Allows your scope to operate within its optical sweet spot, reducing image distortion and maximizing clarity.
• Enhanced Durability: Protects your valuable optic from shock and impact, ensuring a long service life.
• Maximized Elevation Adjustment: Crucial for reaching distant targets, particularly with a canted base like this 20 MOA model.

Unpacking the Advanced Features of the Leupold BackCountry Cross-Slot Base

The Leupold BackCountry 171339 is not just another piece of metal; it's a meticulously engineered component built for serious performance. Let's delve into the specific features that make this base a top choice for your Savage 110/Axis Long Action:

Engineered for Lightweight Strength: 7075-T6 Aircraft-Grade Aluminum Construction

When selecting rifle accessories, the balance between strength and weight is always a key consideration. The Leupold BackCountry base is crafted from premium 7075-T6 aluminum, a material widely recognized in the aerospace industry for its exceptional strength-to-weight ratio.

• Superior Rigidity: This alloy offers outstanding stiffness, minimizing flex and ensuring your scope remains perfectly aligned with your bore.
• Reduced Weight: At a mere 2.20 ounces, it adds negligible weight to your overall rifle system, which is critical for maneuverability and reducing fatigue during extended carry or competition.
• Corrosion Resistance: The inherent properties of 7075-T6 aluminum, coupled with the matte black finish, provide excellent resistance to the elements, making it ideal for use in diverse hunting and shooting environments.

This material choice is a direct response to shooters' demands for equipment that can withstand rigorous use without adding unnecessary bulk, allowing for a lighter, more agile firearm without compromising on ruggedness.

The Advantage of a 20 MOA Slope: Reaching Distant Targets

Perhaps the most significant performance-enhancing feature of this Leupold base is its 20-MOA (Minute of Angle) slope. For those new to long-range shooting, a canted base like this might seem counterintuitive, but it's a game-changer.

• What is 20 MOA? It means the base is angled downwards by 20 MOA from the rear to the front. This slight tilt effectively "pre-loads" your scope's internal elevation adjustment.
• Why is this beneficial? When shooting at extreme distances, the bullet experiences significant drop due to gravity. Your scope's internal turrets provide a limited amount of upward adjustment to compensate for this. By using a 20 MOA base, you're effectively starting with your scope's reticle already positioned "higher" relative to the bore axis. This frees up a greater portion of your scope's valuable internal elevation travel for dialing in compensation for bullet drop at those very long ranges (e.g., 800, 1000, 1500 yards or meters). Without this cant, you might "run out" of elevation adjustment before reaching your desired long-range target.
• Who needs 20 MOA? This feature is indispensable for precision long-range shooters, hunters targeting distant game, or anyone pushing the effective range of their Savage 110/Axis rifle. If your shooting primarily occurs within 300 yards, a zero-MOA base might suffice, but for anything beyond that, 20 MOA becomes a necessity.

Universal Compatibility: Picatinny- and Weaver-Style Ring Acceptance

The cross-slot design of this Leupold BackCountry base offers exceptional versatility, accepting both Picatinny- and Weaver-style scope rings.

• Picatinny Rail Standard (MIL-STD-1913): The Picatinny rail is the industry standard for mounting optics and accessories, known for its precise slot spacing and robust locking capability. Most modern, high-quality scope rings are designed to Picatinny specifications.
• Weaver Style: Weaver bases are an older, but still widely used, standard. While similar to Picatinny, Weaver slots are not uniformly spaced, and their width can vary slightly.
• Your Advantage: By accepting both, the Leupold BackCountry base ensures you have maximum flexibility in choosing your preferred scope rings without compatibility concerns, whether you're using existing rings or purchasing new ones. This eliminates guesswork and potential frustrations during setup. The precise machining of the cross-slots provides maximum clamping surface for rings, ensuring a rock-solid connection and repeatable zero.

Precision Fit: Tailored for Savage 110/Axis Round Receiver Long Actions

One of the cornerstones of a reliable scope mount is a perfect fit with the rifle's receiver. The Leupold 171339 base is specifically engineered for a seamless integration with Savage 110/Axis Round Receiver Long Action rifles.

• Model Specificity: This isn't a "one-size-fits-all" solution. Leupold understands the nuances of various rifle platforms, and this base is custom-designed to match the contours and screw hole patterns of the Savage 110/Axis long action receivers with a round profile.
• Benefits of a Perfect Fit: A precise fit minimizes stress on the mounting screws and the receiver, preventing shifting or damage. It ensures that the base sits flush and true, providing a stable foundation that is absolutely critical for accuracy. Trying to adapt a generic base to a specific receiver can lead to alignment issues and compromised performance.
• Long Action Distinction: The "Long Action" designation means this base is designed for cartridges like .30-06 Springfield, .270 Winchester, .300 Win Mag, and 7mm Rem Mag, which require a longer receiver and bolt throw compared to short action cartridges.

Subtle Yet Effective: Matte Black Finish

The Matte Black finish of the Leupold BackCountry base is more than just aesthetic.

• Non-Reflective Surface: This finish is crucial for hunters and tactical shooters, as it eliminates glare and reflections that could alert game or compromise your position.
• Durability: The finish is robust and resistant to scratches, chips, and corrosion, maintaining its appearance and protective qualities even after extensive use in rugged environments. It blends seamlessly with most rifle and scope finishes, offering a professional, integrated look.

Real-World Applications and Use Cases for the Leupold BackCountry Base

Who stands to benefit most from installing the Leupold BackCountry Cross-Slot 20 MOA base on their Savage 110/Axis Long Action rifle?

• Long-Range Hunters: If you hunt deer, elk, or other game in open country where shots often exceed 300-400 yards, this base is indispensable. The 20 MOA cant ensures you have enough elevation to compensate for significant bullet drop at those distances.
• Precision Rifle Competitors: For disciplines like PRS (Precision Rifle Series) or NRL (National Rifle League) where targets are often engaged at varying and extreme distances, maximizing your scope's elevation travel is a competitive advantage.
• Varmint and Predator Hunters: When targeting small, distant targets like prairie dogs or coyotes, pinpoint accuracy is vital. A stable base and ample elevation adjustment are key to consistent hits.
• Reloaders and Ballistics Enthusiasts: If you meticulously handload ammunition and enjoy experimenting with different loads and ballistic solutions, this base provides the consistent platform needed to accurately test and verify your data at extended ranges.
• Rifle Upgrade Enthusiasts: For any Savage 110/Axis owner looking to upgrade their rifle's long-range capabilities or replace an existing, less robust mount, the Leupold BackCountry offers a significant performance enhancement.

Frequently Asked Questions About Scope Mounts and 20 MOA Bases

As an expert in optimizing firearms for performance, many common questions arise regarding scope bases:

• "What's the best scope base for my Savage 110 Long Action?"
  For a Savage 110/Axis Round Receiver Long Action, especially if you plan on shooting at extended ranges, the Leupold BackCountry Cross-Slot 20 MOA base is a top-tier choice. Its specific fit, durable construction, and 20 MOA cant provide an excellent foundation for precision.
• "How does the base material affect performance?"
  The material, in this case, 7075-T6 aluminum, directly impacts the base's rigidity, weight, and durability. Higher quality materials like 7075-T6 resist flexing under recoil and are less prone to wear and corrosion, ensuring your scope maintains zero. Lesser materials can lead to accuracy inconsistencies and premature failure.
• "Do I really need a 20 MOA base for hunting?"
  It depends on your typical shooting distances. If your hunting scenarios involve shots routinely exceeding 300-400 yards, a 20 MOA base is highly recommended. It allows you to utilize more of your scope's elevation adjustment for bullet drop, preventing you from "running out" of adjustment at critical moments. For closer ranges, a flat (0 MOA) base is sufficient.
• "Is this base compatible with all scope rings?"
  The Leupold BackCountry Cross-Slot base is designed to accept both Picatinny- and Weaver-style rings. This covers the vast majority of modern scope rings available on the market, offering excellent compatibility and flexibility for your setup.
• "What are the benefits of a cross-slot design over a traditional two-piece base?"
  A one-piece cross-slot design (often referred to as a Picatinny rail) offers several advantages. It provides a continuous mounting surface, allowing for greater flexibility in ring placement for optimal eye relief. It also generally offers superior rigidity and strength compared to separate two-piece bases, reducing the chance of flex or misalignment, which contributes to greater accuracy and consistency.

The Leupold Legacy: Trust and Reliability

Leupold has been a trusted name in optics and mounting solutions for over a century. Known for their commitment to precision, ruggedness, and American manufacturing, Leupold products are engineered to perform in the most demanding conditions. The BackCountry line exemplifies this heritage, offering a blend of cutting-edge materials and thoughtful design that shooters have come to expect from the brand. When you choose a Leupold scope base, you're not just buying a component; you're investing in a piece of equipment backed by decades of optical excellence and a reputation for unparalleled reliability. This attention to detail ensures that the Leupold BackCountry base is a worthy companion to your precision Savage 110/Axis rifle and high-performance optic.

This particular Leupold BackCountry Cross-Slot base, identified by its UPC 030317011857, is a prime example of their dedication to providing shooters with the tools they need to succeed. It's an investment in your rifle's long-term performance and your confidence on the range or in the field.

When considering where to acquire such a critical component, sources like DEGuns offer a wide selection of premium firearm accessories, ensuring you can find the right Leupold base for your specific rifle needs.

Product Specifications and Details

Attribute	Detail
Brand	Leupold
Series	BackCountry Cross-Slot Base
Model	171339
Firearm Fit	Savage 110 / Axis Round Receiver
Action Type	Long Action
MOA Cant	20 MOA
Material	7075-T6 Aluminum
Finish	Matte Black
Mount Type	To Receiver
Ring Compatibility	Picatinny & Weaver-style rings
Pieces	1
Length	7.10 inches
Weight	2.20 ounces
Includes	Mounting Hardware
Firearm Type	Rifle
UPC	030317011857
SKU	101047