Savage Arms has made a name for themselves as one of the most respected gun manufacturers in America, providing extremely accurate, durable and well-priced firearms for all outdoorsmen and shooters alike. For more than 120 years, they have built great rifles and shotguns perfect for target shooting, big-game hunting and self-defense purposes. Today we're going to focus specifically on Savage rifles, the best ones they make for a variety of practical purposes. Single-shot, semi-auto and bolt-action rifles, this company builds a little bit of everything.
These rifles are light, affordable, and most importantly of all, accurate and built to last. Savage is also one of the few companies to put a heavy focus on left-handed models, making it easy to find your favorite cartridge and action offering for southpaws. Best of all, their guns are made right here in the USA, so you're supporting American jobs. We have been lucky enough to test several rifles from this storied company over the past few years and a number of them really stood out from the competition. Here are our top seven Savage rifles on the market today.
Savage Model 110
We'll start things off with a classic. This rifle is the oldest continuously manufactured rifle in North America and Savage just keeps making it better with every passing year. They offer a bevy of variants and barrel lengths for this classic hunting rifle's buttery-smooth action. Want a synthetic stock and stainless steel barrel for dealing with the elements? They've got that. Looking for accuracy at distance? Consider the "Long Range Hunter" models. Their "XP" packages come with scopes already mounted and bore-sighted. These rifles also offer Savage's signature AccuFit system which allows you to adjust the length of pull, comb height and even trigger pull through the company's popular "AccuTrigger." Savage also keeps adding new caliber options for this platform. I picked up a Model 110 Apex Hunter XP in .450 Bushmaster this year for hunting Michigan's "restricted firearms zone." It ended up helping me put a nice 8-point buck in the freezer. This is a solid and affordable platform and I'm already looking forward to using my Savage 110 again next season.
Savage Axis
From a value based standpoint, it would be hard to compete with the Savage Axis, as it provides accuracy that you would expect to see in a $1,000+ rifle, as well as the durability standard that Savage is known for, while also being offered at an affordable price. For a hunter looking to feel his or her freezer this fall, or a range enthusiast that loves to test his distance limits, this is the rifle for you.
These guns feature detachable box magazines, synthetic, camo, and hardwood stock offerings, and the adjustable AccuTrigger system. They even offer a stainless model that comes in at under $500. Savage offers a precision Axis rifle that costs a fraction of the more expensive offerings on the market. Chambered for popular calibers like .223 Remington, .308 Winchester, 6.5 Creedmoor, .243 Win, .270 Win and more, you're sure to find a caliber you like. They have even started to offer popular straight wall rounds like .350 Legend for hunters in states with firearms restrictions for deer. Just like the Model 110, Savage also sells "XP" packages that include already mounted and bore-sighted optics, helping you get from the range to the field faster. Many of the Axis rifles come in under $400, making it possible for hunters on almost any budget to finally upgrade to a new gun.
Savage 64 F
When you think of Savage rifles, your mind probably doesn't automatically jump to semi-automatic, and that's understandable. But the Savage 64 F has become a major contender in the semi-automatic market due to its extremely light recoil.
For new shooters, I wouldn't recommend starting with a semi-automatic rifle. However, the 64 F is offered in a .22 LR caliber, making it a great choice for young shooters interested in exploring semi-automatic options. While they may not be quite as reliable and simple as a bolt-action, the 64 F is reliable, easy to control, and accurate.
Savage Trophy Hunter
For the hunter who doesn't want to mess around with mounting optics or making a lot of adjustments to their weapon prior to the hunt. The Trophy Hunter series of rifles are fitted with Nikon 3-9X40 BDC reticle scopes already attached and bore sighted. Head to the range, sight it in, and hit the field. Simple and efficient. Savage builds this rifle with wood and synthetic stock options and carbon steel and stainless barrels depending upon your preference. The standard version of this rifle comes with a 22-inch barrel, but they also sell a "compact" variant with a 20-inch barrel. These guns also come with the AccuTrigger system and are chambered for a bevy of ammo options. There are the standard deer hunting options like .270 or .30-06 Springfield, but there are also offerings like 204 Ruger, .22-250 Remington, .300 Winchester Magnum, .300 WSM, .338 Federal, and .338 Winchester Magnum to name just a few.
Savage Rascal
Is there a better round to teach a youth hunter or shooter on than .22 LR? Yeah, we didn't think so either. The Rascal is the perfect choice for young shooters to handle while they're learning the ropes, and will allow you to feel safe as they become more comfortable. It's a single-shot, ultralight rimfire rifle that weighs less than three pounds. It's simple to load and unload and has a manual safety to help develop safe firearms handling skills. It's telling how much Savage believes in their AccuTrigger system when they take the time to even build it into the tiny Rascal platform. Savage builds this rifle with both synthetic and laminate stocks and it comes in a huge color palette that's sure to please your young hunter or target shooter. The other great thing about the Rascal is the price, these guns come in at only around $170, making them an excellent birthday or holiday gift idea.
Savage A17
If there was ever a gun designed solely for the purpose of varmint hunting as well as plinking, the Savage A17 is it. Looking for a serious plinking or varmint hunting rimfire semi-auto? You might want to give one of the Savage A17s a look. These guns are chambered for .17 Hornady Magnum Rimfire. You'll also find the A17 HM2 rifle, which has been optimized for the blisteringly fast .17 HMR Mach 2 caliber. We're talking over 2,000 feet per second with that one. We had the opportunity to spend time at the range with it and believe me, it's incredible. These guns feed from a 10-round rotary magazine and cycle through a delayed blowback action. You'll be able to put shots where you want them thanks to the accurate 22-inch, button-rifled barrel. As if all that wasn't enough, these guns are also fitted with that awesome AccuTrigger system. You'll be hard-pressed to find another .17 HMR that performs this well for the $350-$420 price point of the A17.
Savage Mark II
Looking for a simple, yet accurate rimfire gun? Look no further than the Mark II series. Savage makes these guns chambered for both .22 LR and .17 HMR. One of the characteristics that makes this gun so versatile is the limitless options for stock and barrel configurations. These rifles are fed through detachable box magazines that hold either five or ten rounds. Some variants, like the Mark II FV-SR, come with fluted and threaded carbon steel barrels. They also build a few versions of this gun that would be perfect for competition like the Mark II BTV, which has a laminate thumbhole stock for exceptional accuracy. The best part is the price. Starting out at just $200 for the base model, this is perhaps one of the greatest budget rifles on the market.
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