After months of searching, OZKP has found the perfect candidate for a vintage optic test rifle: The Remington 511 Scoremaster. Now from the images it might look like a dog, but after many hours of research and contemplation, the 511 checks all the boxes.

The Scoremaster was first introduced in 1939 as the magazine fed version of Remington’s “500 series” of rifles. It occupies the middle ground between the single shot 510 and the precision-built 513 Matchmaster. Though there are small variations between each model, all 500-series are built around the same basic receiver and bolt design. Now, what this means for OZKP: We have a lot options as it relates to interchangeable and available parts, AND our test rifle is built on the same platform as a premier target rifle of the 40’s/50’s/60’s.

To note, there are some significant distinctions between the 511 and the 513. The 513 is much heavier, it features a bull barrel and target stock to name a few. A 511 will never be as accurate as the 513, after all, the 511 was designed and marketed as a sporting 22LR. But with that being said, we have a handful of modifications in mind to see how accurate we can get this rifle without sinking a ton of cash into it. Per the various internet forums, the 511 is capable of 1-inch groups at 100yds with good ammo. We’ll see. If true, that’ll be more than acceptable for our tests. Now summarizing the reasons we picked the 511, it’s much easier to list them out:

• Parts are cheap and available. Remington produced 380,000+ of them from 1939 to the early 1960’s. The 511 also shares a lot of parts with other 500-series rifles, which is another huge plus.
• The 511 is an inherently accurate rifle, it’s fundamentally the same platform as the 513.
• 511’s are reasonably priced (unlike the 513). I overpaid for this rifle, and it was still $276 out the door at Bass Pro.
• At the end of the day, there are only so many spots in the gun safe. This is the OZKP test rifle, but I also wanted some additional utility as a varmint and small game rifle. A heavy barrel target rifle is relatively limited in its capabilities as a field gun.
• For ammunition testing and hunting, a removable magazine is critical. Single shots and tube-fed rifles are fine, but for our purposes not ideal.
• We wanted to select a rifle and make modifications to something that is available to the general audience. Should any of this be useful to the reader, you’re hopefully not gonna have to save a month’s worth of rent to duplicate it.

Lastly, some of the changes we’re planning on doing, or at least researching to see how they impact the rifle’s accuracy (and should be the subject of future articles) are:

• Replacing the stock with a 513 stock (current one unfortunately has a large chunk broken off)
• Drilling and tapping for a top rail to mount an optic
• Bedding the stock
• Adding a secondary action screw
• Polishing the trigger
• recrowning the barrel

I’ve included some photos below of our Scoremaster prior to any modifications, this should be a great project to follow along and enjoy the photos.

The Scoremaster, our example was made in October of 1945

A closer look at the Remington stamp

She’s a beaut!

A future state, plenty of changes to come!

Thanks for reading and I look forward to posting many more updates on this rifle and our testing of it. Should you have any thoughts or questions, feel free to contact us via our contact page. Cheers!

- Hayes