First impression on new Savage 110 Ultralight

[std7mag]

While at the Harrisburg, PA Outdoors Show i stopped at the Savage booth to check out their new 110 Ultralight.

At first glance, it's not too ugly of a rifle. Still not Model 70, or ABL pretty. But not too bad.
Stock is their gray and black AccuStock. With spacers to adjust LOP and comb height. Buttpad is sufficiently squishy to absorb the recoil from such a light rifle.

The action is a lightened 110, but looked more like a lightened Axis action to me.
Bolt is spiral fluted with decently large bolt handle.
Barrel was a 22" Proof Research carbon fibre, with threaded muzzle. Contour about equal to a steel #2.

22" barrels for 6.5CM, 308, 30-06, 270, 280Ackley.
Why manufacturer put a 22" barrel on a 280Ackley is beyond me!
24" barrel for 300WSM, 6.5PRC, 28 Nosler.

No 7mm Rem Mag, 300 Win Mag, or 338 Win Mag.

The first thing you notice upon picking it up is, yeah, it's light! At 5,3/4lbs for the display in 308.

The next thing you notice is the cheap plastic stock feel.
There is a LOT of flex in the forestock!
Touching the barrel, even with the generous free floating, with the forestock is easy.
I asked the rep about this, as it's been a major complaint for years, and got AccuStock, bla bla blaaa.

The adjustable AccuTrigger, as always was nice.

Back to that bolt handle..
It's a good thing the handle is a decent size. Bolt lift was rather hard, and sliding the bolt back and forth rather stiff. Even with the fluting.

Overall...
Good idea, half execution.

At $1,100 retail, i'm not willing to shell out my hard earned money for a rifle that needs a stock, and action work before i take it hunting.

Your money is better spent on a Tikka T3X, or a Mauser M18, even if it does weigh 7lbs.

 

[muleman69]

sounds like they have the makings of a decent rifle. I have about three or four Salvages, no matter how I dress them up they are still a Salvage

 

[std7mag]

True, but still this one is very rough around the edges.
As i said, i'm not willing to shell out $1,100 and still need a stock and action work done.

It's way past time Savage addresses the issue with their stocks!

 

[K22]

Never understood the logic behind a light weight 30 caliber rifle that kicks like a mule in heat unless you love recoil and pain. A 5 3/4 lb 308 - are you kidding me! Why would you want something like that???

I carry a heavy varmint rifle (No. 5 contour barrel - 26" in length) roaming the fields hunting groundhogs and I'm in my 70's - can't understand why a 7 1/2 lbs rifle in 30 cal would be such a burden to carry. I long for the old days, those old Rem 700's and Win 70's with 24" barrels and wooden stock that had some heft to them.

I do have some light weight Rem 7's in 223 that I use when I plan on doing a lot of stalking but these are a mild recoil caliber rifles.

Just venting - don't mind me.

 

[Zero333]

Never understood the logic behind a light weight 30 caliber rifle that kicks like a mule in heat unless you love recoil and pain. A 5 3/4 lb 308 - are you kidding me! Why would you want something like that???

I carry a heavy varmint rifle (No. 5 contour barrel - 26" in length) roaming the fields hunting groundhogs and I'm in my 70's - can't understand why a 7 1/2 lbs rifle in 30 cal would be such a burden to carry. I long for the old days, those old Rem 700's and Win 70's with 24" barrels and wooden stock that had some heft to them.

I do have some light weight Rem 7's in 223 that I use when I plan on doing a lot of stalking but these are a mild recoil caliber rifles.

Just venting - don't mind me.

I agree. For hunting big game rifles I like between 7.5 and 8.5 lbs regardless of the cartridge being shot.

A 7.5 pound 308win kicks so there is no reason to make them lighter.

Traditional hunting rifles are the best looking and most comfortable to carry all day.

I don't like the newer looks of some hunting rifles with adjustable spacers and comb. They're just FUGLY !

 

[284winner]

It's offered in the 6.5 PRC ?

 

[codybrown]

For that price, I think I'll stick with my Kimber Montana's

 

[Outrider27]

Having put a few rounds down range with my .338 win mag, I think I understand why they don't make one in that caliber.

I'm surprised they make one in 300WSM.

 

[std7mag]

It's offered in the 6.5 PRC ?

Yes.

I already have a Forbes 24B in 280 Rem.
With scope, sling & 3 rounds weighs just at 7lbs.

Much better for carrying on long forays into the woods than my custom Mauser at 10lbs!!

No less accurate either. Both rifles can "get it done" out to 600 yards.
That simply because i haven't really had the chance to shoot further.

 

[284winner]

Yes.

I already have a Forbes 24B in 280 Rem.
With scope, sling & 3 rounds weighs just at 7lbs.

Much better for carrying on long forays into the woods than my custom Mauser at 10lbs!!

No less accurate either. Both rifles can "get it done" out to 600 yards.
That simply because i haven't really had the chance to shoot further.

Is the muzzle threaded for a brake or can ?

 

[std7mag]

Yes....

Wait...

You mean the Savage, right???
The Forbes, no.

 

[284winner]

Yes....

Wait...

You mean the Savage, right???
The Forbes, no.

Yes

 

[Tommie]

I’m plenty secure enough in my masculinity to admit the lightweight .308’s are off my list.

 

[K22]

I don't want or need a light weight rifle that knocks the snot out of me at my age. I never found it a burden to carry an 8 lbs. rifle (w/ scope / sling) in the field. In fact I never found it a burden to carry a 10 lbs. varmint rifle in the field if you sling it right with the right sling.

I guess these ultra light weight rifles have their place if you're hunting sheep in high steep mountains but how many of us are going to do that?

I love Tikka's but the 308 in the lite model is a bear for me to shoot so much so I had go to reduced loading to make it enjoyable to shoot. If you're just a once a year deer hunter, and just shoot three sight in rounds at the start of deer season and shoot one or two at a deer if you get lucky then this might be the rifle for you but if you're like me and shoot all year around and like to practice a lot then this isn't the way to go at least for me.

 

[boltman13]

I have hunted with a Winchester Model 70, one of the last rifles to come from the new Haven factory in 300 WSM. It has a very flexable fore stock that is free floating the barrel. Topped with a Weaver 3X10 Grand Slam, and Warne rings with a 1" nylon sling and 3 rounds it weights 7# 12 oz. It is a delight to carry in the Colorado mountains after elk. With the 180 grain Barnes Triple Shock and a stout load of Re22 it clicks 3025 fps and groups 3 shots in 1.25" at 100 yds. I have made 3 one shot kills on bull elk at ranges from about 75 yards to 225 yards. Yesterday I killed a cow elk at 250 yards with one shot. Fortunately this rifle, scope, load combination has not changed it's point of impact ever as shooting off a rest is very unpleasant. I hardly notice recoil when I shoot at game, however. I would never subject myself to more than a few shots off the bench to check my zero, and any very light rifle firing a high intensity heavy bullet is subject to the same laws of physics. My rifle also has a fairly rough bolt throw, and a trigger pull of at least 5#. So far it hasn't failed me hunting elk.