I took the scope and rings off and tried them on another rifle. No problem there. Shot fine with no alignment problems. After tearing down the rifle it seems that the base is not aligned with the rifle and this is noticeable looking right down the base. Is this part of savages poor QC from years ago? my calipers aren't small enough to look at the hole alignment on the base but its down to the base and the rifle. I tried using heavy fish line and running it from the muzzle to the rear base hole. the holes seem to be aligned when eyeing it up.