Savage Arms

Savage builds the most accurate rifles for the money in America -- and their AccuTrigger changed what every shooter expects from a factory gun.

Arthur Savage started his company in 1894, and they've been making practical, accurate rifles ever since. You'll find Savage in more deer camps and on more precision rifle ranges than any other budget brand, and there's a simple reason -- they shoot better than they cost.

The company made its name with the Model 99 lever-action that ran for nearly 100 years. Then came the Model 110 bolt gun in 1958, still their bread and butter today. But the real game-changer hit in 2002 -- the AccuTrigger.

Before AccuTrigger, every hunting rifle came with a heavy, gritty trigger that most serious shooters replaced immediately. Savage put a crisp, adjustable trigger on a $400 rifle and forced every manufacturer in America to step up their game.

Revelyst (Vista Outdoor's outdoor products spinoff) owns them now, and they build rifles in Massachusetts and Ontario. They're a SAAMI member and still focused on the same thing -- accuracy you can afford.

The Model 110 platform dominates Savage's catalog, and for good reason. It's a 65-year-old design that keeps getting better.

Savage Model 110 platform breakdown by category and price point

You get the AccuTrigger, synthetic stock, and sub-MOA accuracy with decent ammo. Hard to beat for a first hunting rifle. The 110 Hunter starts around $450.

Weather-resistant options include the 110 Storm -- stainless steel with synthetic furniture that'll handle rain and snow without complaint. About $550.

Precision-oriented models span from the 110 Tactical (heavy barrel, threaded muzzle, around $750) up to the 110 Precision with its MDT chassis system for $1,300. The 110 Precision will run with rifles costing twice as much in competition.

Popular configurations include:

• •110 Magpul Hunter with modern furniture
• •Various tactical models for long-range shooting
• •Standard calibers: .308, 6.5 Creedmoor, .300 Winchester Magnum

A Savage 110 in 6.5 Creedmoor delivers sub-MOA groups with factory ammo for under $500. No trigger job needed. No bedding work needed.

Key milestones in Savage Arms development and platform expansion

Savage's rimfire rifles deserve attention too. The Mark II in .22 LR runs about $250 and shoots better than most centerfire rifles did 20 years ago. The FV-SR variant comes threaded for suppressors -- excellent choice for precision rimfire work.

They make a .17 HMR rifle (93R17) for varmint hunters and a semi-auto .22 called the A22 that uses a delayed blowback system instead of the usual blowback action.

Beyond rifles, Savage offers the Model 220 bolt-action slug gun -- the standard for Midwest deer hunting where shotgun-only zones dominate. Their MSR 15 enters AR-15 territory, though it's unremarkable compared to their rifle work.

The Renegauge semi-auto shotgun competes in the hunting and competition market. They even make a striker-fired pistol called the Stance, though handguns aren't their strength.

Every discussion of Savage comes back to the AccuTrigger, and it should. This isn't marketing fluff -- it's genuinely the finest factory trigger system available.

The trigger adjusts from 1.5 to 6 pounds without tools or gunsmith work. It breaks clean and crisp every time. The blade safety prevents accidental discharge if the trigger face gets hit directly, but you'll never notice it during normal shooting.

Compare this to competitors:

• •Ruger's Marksman trigger is good but heavier
• •Tikka makes excellent triggers but they're not user-adjustable
• •Remington's X-Mark Pro has a checkered reputation
• •Savage's AccuTrigger stands alone for quality and user control

Shooters love Savage rifles for accuracy and value. The AccuTrigger gets universal praise. The AccuStock bedding system actually improves precision over standard synthetic stocks.

Out-of-box accuracy regularly hits sub-MOA with factory ammunition.

The complaints are predictable -- fit and finish is utilitarian. You'll see tool marks and rough edges on budget models.

Stock quality on entry rifles feels cheap. Some owners report extraction or ejection issues, though most rifles run fine.

Savage doesn't do pretty. They do functional. If you want a rifle that looks like art, buy a Browning. If you want one that shoots like it but costs half as much, buy a Savage.

Savage Arms makes the most accurate rifles for the money in America, period. The AccuTrigger alone justifies the purchase -- it's a $200 aftermarket upgrade that comes standard on every rifle they make.

I've seen more shooters get their first sub-MOA groups with budget Savage rifles than any other brand. The 110 platform has 65 years of refinement behind it, and it shows in the accuracy department.

The rifles aren't beautiful. The stocks are plastic. The fit and finish is workmanlike rather than refined.

But they shoot straight, and that's what matters when you're trying to fill a deer tag or ring steel at distance.

If you're shopping for your first hunting rifle, precision rifle, or rimfire trainer, put Savage at the top of your list. They've earned their reputation one accurate shot at a time.