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Savage Stevens 320 Field Combo 12-gauge Shotgun

March 13, 2026Product review, Shooting hardwarecombo, field grade, model 320, savage, savage stevens, stevenscoldboremiracle

Introduction

Pump shotguns are perhaps the backbone of the shotgun market.They offer reliable function for an affordable price while still taking on nearly every duty a shotgun might be charged with. Today we are taking a look at one of these affordable options, we will be reviewing the Savage Stevens 320 Field Combo. A combination shotgun that comes with both a 28-inch hunting barrel and an 18.5-inch security barrel.

Savage, stevens, savage stevens, 320, model 320, 12 gauge, shotgun, field grade combo, — the Stevens 320 was a joy to shoot

Savage Arms has a long history with American firearm enthusiasts. A popular brand for affordable firearms, which was further broadened with the purchase of Stevens Firearms some time later. These days it appears that the Stevens name has been brought back by Savage as a discount brand with firearms manufactured overseas. This may or may not be a big selling point for some, but in today’s example it was reason enough for me to purchase this firearm.

the disassembled 320 for cleaning

The Stevens 320

The Stevens 320 action is a rotating-bolt pump-action, the bolt-carrier changes the linear motion of the pump into a rotating action where the bolt engages the breech of the barrel. The gun is fed from a tubular magazine that holds 5-rounds when the plug is removed.

the magazine plug to reduce capacity to hold 2-rounds

While the 28-inch barrel has the traditional rib with a sight-bead at the front, the shorter 18.5-inch barrel has just a simple bead. The aluminum alloy receiver is drilled and tapped for mounting a sight rail to allow additional sight options.

receiver is drilled and tapped for mounting sights

The action is fed from a traditional tube magazine that gives the gun a total capacity of 5-rounds. This particular model is the Field Grade combo, that also includes an 18.5-inch security barrel. This gives you the option for a great 28-inch field gun for hunting upland game and waterfowl, as well as a compact choke-less barrel for investigating bumps-in-the-night.

easy controls make operation simple

The Stevens 320 uses simple and inexpensive polymer furniture, and also includes both a front and rear sling stud should you wish to install one. There is a safety at the front of the trigger-guard, and the bolt-release is just behind the trigger-guard. On top of the receiver, it is drilled and tapped for mounting a sight rail.

Stevens 320 Background

Savage has been around for quite some time in the American firearms market. The Stevens name comes from the late 19th century manufacturer that was later purchased by Savage. After the end of the Great War, Savage and Stevens continued making firearms as independent brands. In more recent times like the current century, Savage brought back the Stevens name, releasing several models branded so. It appears to at least the author that the Stevens name is being used to delineate between American made Savage products and foreign built Stevens models.

The Stevens model 320 copies much of the design from the very popular Winchester model 1300 shotgun. Using the same rotating bolt design and other features of the iconic Winchester who’s demise came a short few years before the Stevens 320 was released. I remember those dark times when Winchester died …

For now, the Stevens 320 shotguns are manufactured in China, and imported to the US by Savage for sale here. It’s a long way from Shandong Province to Westfield Massachusetts, but the popularity of this shotgun would suggest they are doing a good job there.

Into the Field

To give the Steven 320 Field Grade shotgun a good test, we took it for a round of hand-thrown clays. Together with a couple other shotguns for comparison, I figured it would be a great opportunity to get a feel for it.

Savage, stevens, savage stevens, 320, model 320, 12 gauge, shotgun, field grade combo, security barrel, — the field combo adds great value with two barrels

We brought a couple cases of White Flyer clay targets, as well as an assortment of ammo. I had brought both Remington Gun Club as well as Winchester Target both with 1-1/8 ounce loads. The 320 came with a Modified choke from the factory, and since it uses the Win Choke system (.812″-32 tpi), there are plenty of options you can change it to. With the Modified choke we would be fine for now.

Shooting The Stevens 320

It didn’t take long to get the Stevens 320 warmed up, we would take turns throwing clays for each other and rotate shooters. Loading the tube magazine is straight-forward, and allows 2-rounds with the plug installed. We did notice that at first there was a touch of a challenge to get the shells past the retaining clip. But this went away with some use.

Savage, stevens, savage stevens, 320, model 320, 12 gauge, shotgun, field grade combo, loading,

The sticky grip of the rubber recoil pad made it stay in place against your shoulder. And I found that I liked the angle of the grip area, giving great position for the trigger finger. The controls were simple and quick to operate, even the novice’s amongst us. Running the pump was smooth and easy, which only got better as the gun broke in a little bit.

Looking down the rib of the barrel to lead the clays reminded me of my early years of shooting my old Remington 870. The broad rib with the bead at the end makes a very familiar and clean sight picture.

Shootability

The Stevens 320 points very well, and I liked the stock angle and grip as mentioned. It shoots just like you would expect a classic pump-gun to shoot. The grip areas have texture and grooves to hold onto, the trigger feels fine, and its light weight make it an easy swing.

The added bonus barrel in the 18.5 Security barrel, gives you another option as well. The short barrel makes the gun even more portable and quick to get on target, both great features for a defense shotgun.

Savage, stevens, savage stevens, 320, model 320, 12 gauge, shotgun, field grade combo, bolt, bolt carrier, breech, bolt lockup, — details of the barrel breech where the bolt locks up

Reliability

We shot nearly half-a-case of ammo through the 320 that first trip. And we’ve shot easily another half through it since. Not once during our testing did the Stevens not function as expected. The simplicity of the pump-action manifests over and over, using a variety of ammunition of both 1-oz and various 1-⅛-oz loads.

Quality

Despite it’s low price, I found the 320 to have little to complain about. Perhaps the finish was a bit lower quality than I’d prefer, but it was fine. There were no obvious tool marks or flaws in the finish. And it was a touch sticky when it came to loading the mag for the first little bit. Not sure if we just figured it out or it broke in. As an entry level shotgun with an MSRP of $329, I was quite happy with the level of quality.

Value

This is where the Stevens 320 absolutely shines. With basically two shotguns in one, for a street price under $300, the Steven is an excellent buy. Despite being very inexpensive, this gun appears to be built just as well as the shotgun I bought 30 years ago. A shotgun that still performs perfectly today. The 320 offers a field shotgun for hunting birds and other game, as well as a home defense type shotgun. It does this with great reliability and comfortable performance.

Pros and Cons

If the great shooting, and economic price weren’t enough, the Stevens 320 also enjoys support from the aftermarket. With various stock configurations, magazine extensions, and other items. I’ve already mentioned it shoots well, and hasn’t malfunctioned a single time yet. It is affordable for even the most economically challenged amongst us, and it comes with some great features like the extra barrel. The drilled and tapped receiver allows you to mount a sight rail like this one from EGW, allowing installation of red dots or other optics. All this makes the 320 an easy choice for an inexpensive shotgun that you can customize to your needs.

As long as you keep in mind that this is an entry-level gun, and remember what you paid for it, I don’t think there will be many complaints. I do wish it came with a couple other chokes, but for those interested they can be had for under $25 on Optics Planet. The impression of an inexpensive shotgun manufactured beyond the reach of the health and safety department are fine with me. I don’t mind a little working around rough edges to save some money.

Pros

Inexpensive
Shoots great
Reliable function
Extra barrel
Drilled and tapped receiver

Cons

Made in China
Only comes with one choke

Savage Arms B17 Precision

August 4, 2025Product review, Shooting hardware17hmr, b17, mdt, precision, savage, savage armscoldboremiracle

Preface

Precision rimfire rifles are possibly the most fun you can have outside the house, and they are getting better. I kinda skipped the rimfire rifles in my younger years when most people get good with them. Circling back to rimfire as an adult when you have adult money is more fun anyways. Today I am doing exactly that, and I look forward to sharing the experience with you. Today’s subject is the Savage B17 Precision rifle, a bolt-action .17 HMR in an MDT chassis from the factory.

I’ve played with these Savage rimfire rifles before, and when coupled with a good chassis and scope I was excited for some great results. I was expecting a squirrel-sniper, the next few days would show if I’d garner my quarry for stew.

The Savage B17 Precision

The B Series Precision rifles uses Savage’s unique rimfire action, unique in that the cocking piece rides in the bold-handle raceway. This results in a slightly longer action than some other models. I’ve always preferred the cleaner design that mimics centerfire actions, but this little Savage might change my mind.

The B series uses the very popular Accutrigger from Savage, something I again never cared for aesthetically but have no real problem with. On top of the action, you’ll find an included picatinny scope rail for easy mounting.

The rifle feeds from a curious polymer 10-round rotary magazine. The curious design uses a spring-tensioned rotor with cutouts for each round. The magazine has a spring loaded retention-clip at one end and is canted into the chassis to seat the mag. It is an interesting design, and I looked forward to putting it into action.

The MDT chassis definitely sets this rifle apart from its competition, MDT is one of the biggest names in chassis-guns and competition rifles. Bringing their engineering expertise to this little rimfire rifle could be a match made in heaven. With an adjustable buttstock and cheek-rest, you can make this rifle fit most shooters. The rigid chassis also has M-Lok slots up front for adding any of your favorite accessories.

Specifications

Savage B17 Precision
Caliber	17 HMR
Length	36.6 Inches
Weight	7.3 Pounds
Trigger	1.5-4 Pound Adjustable Accutrigger
Chassis	One-Piece Aluminum MDT
Length of Pull	12.75-13.75 Inches
Magazine	Detachable Rotary 10-round Polymer
Barrel Length	18-Inches
Barrel Twist Rate	1:9 Inches
Muzzle Threads	½-28 with thread protector
Finish	Black Matte
MSRP	$679

Range Ready

Prior to shooting, this little rifle would need a good scope. I happened to have a brand new Bushnell R5 6-18 x 50 which would make a great choice for the little rifle. The illuminated DOA-LRH800 reticle would allow a great many holdover points for the little .17 HMR cartridge. I mounted the scope using a one-inch scope mount, which might have been a touch high. But the adjustable comb of the rifle made short work of that issue.

I’d also add a couple other accessories, first would be a Harris bipod. I would be doing a lot of supported shooting, and its hard to beat a bipod for for that purpose. The last thing would be a suppressor, and for that I chose the SilencerCo Spectre II. It would take the M out of the HMR and make it a little more pleasant to shoot.

On the Range with the Savage B17

My initial trip with the Savage B17 would be to my local range. I’d brought along everything to get the rifle zeroed and tested, what I needed more of was self control due to range squirrels.

I’d brought three types of ammunition to shoot in the rifle, some OG Hornady 17 grain ammo, some CCI TNT 17 grain hollow points, and some Federal V-shock 17 grain. I figured one of those would shoot well enough to match my purposes.

Savage B17, bushnell r5, 6-18, silencerco Spectre II, 17hmr, rimfire, MDT chassis, prairie dog, — we also used the B17 for a prairie dog shoot, it was very effective

I sat down on the bench and started loading the curious magazines. Ten-rounds at a time would be fine for the kind of shooting I do. I boresighted the rifle to get it as close as possible to zero before shooting a shot. After making a correction or two, the rifle was shooting right where I aimed. I tested all three ammunition types, and it seemed the one that shot the best was the original Hornady 17 grain V-max.

Into the Rockies

After getting very comfortable with the B17, it was time to take it into my Rocky Mountain haunt to do some field shooting. And with any luck, get those squirrels that the .17 is just perfect for. Armed to the teeth and with my squirrel hound at my heels, we pursued the distant chirps of our prey.

I laid behind the rifle, the sharp sticks and grass of the parched summer ground dug into my skin. But that’s just part of the game, I watched through the bright Bushnell scope as an adult grey squirrel popped her head above the edge of a rock. The 103 yard distance and some switchy winds might make for a little challenge, but I was ready for it.

I’d zeroed the rifle at one-hundred yards, so I simply held a little bit into the wind coming up the canyon. With the reticle dot level with my target’s nose, I began pressing the trigger. The shot broke just like hundreds before it, perfectly clean release and the rifle barely moved as I focused through the scope. I watched as the bullet impacted the squirrel right through the nut processor and some hair and other material scattered in the breeze. It was simply too much fun not to repeat the process over and over.

The balance and feel of this rifle was fantastic in field shooting. I am used to heavier guns so the seven plus pounds felt light to me. Watching impacts through the scope as this rifle churned through ammo was as close to childhood bliss as I can imagine.

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A typical 5-shot group from the Savage B17

the **Bushnell R5 6-18 scope** was a perfect match

Savage B17, bushnell r5, 6-18, silencerco Spectre II, 17hmr, rimfire, MDT chassis,

Savage Impulse Mountain Hunter 7 PRC

July 14, 2024Product review, Shooting hardware7prc, impulse, mountain hunter, savagecoldboremiracle

Preface

Every so often there is a new development in the firearms industry, sadly it is a practice that is definitely against the norm. But thank goodness for those that keep trying. Today we are looking at a newer design from well known manufacturer Savage Arms. Savage has long been a great US firearms producer, and today we are are looking at one of their new rifles, the Savage Impulse Mountain Hunter chambered in 7mm PRC.

Savage Impulse Action

The Savage Arms Impulse rifle is based on the Impulse action, which is very different from typical rifle actions. The Impulse uses a straight-pull bolt design, supposedly to reduce loading time and simplify movements. Straight-pull actions are nothing new, but Savage engineers went about it in an incredibly interesting way.

savage impulse bolt — the bolt-head of the Savage Impulse, note extractor and locking balls

The bolt is operated by a lever at the rear, in the same position as other bolt handles. But when pulled to the rear the handle pulls an internal linkage. At the front of the bolt, where it engages with the action there are 6 ball-detents that are pushed out to the receiver to lock the bolt in place. So as the bolt-handle is pulled, the balls collapse into the bolt-body allowing it to be pulled to the rear. And when pushed forward, after chambering a round, the balls are then cammed into place locking the breech of the rifle closed.

savage impulse — note bolt stop/release, and left-hand bolt handle attachment point

The bolt also allows ambidextrous operation. The handle can be moved from one side of the bolt to the other, allowing lefties to use the rifle as well.

The bolt itself is kept from rotating by a keyed slot in the bolt-body, and it also has a button on the bolt-shroud to run the bolt without dropping the striker. Otherwise the trigger must be pulled to extract cartridges from the chamber. Just below that is the tang-mounted safety. The design makes the action slightly larger than comparable actions, both the bolt-body diameter and length seem bigger than that of traditional bolts.

the Savage Impulse bolt (front) compared to a Ruger long-action bolt

The Savage Impulse Rifle

Aside from the action the Impulse rifle is very Savage, the Mountain Hunter model seems to come with some added benefits. Up front there is a carbon fiber-wrapped barrel from Proof Research, this one being chambered in the venerable 7mm PRC cartridge. The muzzle is threaded 5/8-24 and features a radial muzzle break to take down recoil.

The twenty-two inch barrel uses the typical Savage barrel nut, and is nested neatly in the synthetic AccuStock. Underneath the action you’ll find a detachable box mag that holds two 7 PRC rounds, my rifle came with two magazines. On top of the receiver is a 20-MOA picatinny rail for mounting your scope of choice. The Savage standard AccuTrigger is adjustable from 1.5 to 4 pounds, though I felt no need to adjust it from its factory settings.

Muzzle brake detail (loosened for photograph)

Aluminum bedding is part of the stock to improve rigidity, and a soft rubber recoil pad at the back for comfort. The entire outfit comes in just over seven and a quarter pounds, which is very acceptable for a long-action hunting rifle.

Range Preparation

In order to outfit this rifle for some proper testing, I knew it needed a few important accessories. For a scope, I settled on the Primary Arms GLx 3-18×44 which I have used extensively with excellent results. The scope was mounted using an Area 419 one-piece scope mount, which is more than a typical hunting rifle needs but I was feeling fancy.

7 PRC — the detachable magazine with two 7PRC cartridges inside

After the fancy had passed, I grabbed a Harris Bipod and stuck it to the front of the rifle. I had a few boxes of Hornady Precision Hunter 175 ELDX and Match 180 ELDM ammunition which would do for testing the rifle. I also wanted to shoot the rifle suppressed, so I grabbed a few different suppressors. But ended up using mainly the Guardian Defense 30M.

With everything ready, I loaded the truck and headed into the Utah wilderness where this rifle was meant to roam.

Savage Impulse Mountain Hunter Review

Shootability

The weight and balance of the Impulse was exactly what I’d anticipated. It has all the feel of a good lightweight hunting rifle. Running the straight bolt took some time getting used to. Mainly becauseit took a bit to overcome the muscle memory I’d built up. Pulling the bolt straight to the rear was indeed faster than a typical bolt, but I did find a few things I didn’t like.

Its likely that both of these things are simply training that can be over come. But none-the-less; Multiple times while running the bolt, the bolt-shroud actually touched my nose. Just barely of course, but it seems to me that the bolt of the Impulse is significantly longer than others. I could definitely see in the heat of a hunting moment where you might crash the bolt into your face.

Secondly, the camming of the bolt-handle was a little more friction than I’d like. Occasionally it gave the sensation that you were pulling the gun into your shoulder before the bolt started moving.

Accuracy

I have always liked Savage rifles for their accuracy. The Impulse seemed to fit well into that group. Average groups with match ammunition were sub MOA, with the better groups measuring .6-.7 MOA. That is more than enough accuracy for most typical hunts. And I have no doubt that the Impulse could shoot better with a little more ammunition exploration and handloading.

Reliability

Other than the little issues I outlined above, the Impulse worked almost without fail. The reason I say almost is because we did have a couple feeding issues. I am very confident that these issues were based more on my misunderstanding of the rifle’s operation. And I expect that after a few trips to the range with this rifle you will figure out the rhythm of the Impulse and this wont be an issue.

Value

With a street price just under two thousand dollars, the Impulse isn’t an inexpensive rifle. It certainly has all the features you would expect for a rifle at that price though. What I don’t think it has is that certain something that makes me want it over my other guns. Things like detachable box mags, 20 MOA scope base, threaded carbon fiber barrel and so forth are all fantastic. I just don’t know that I would spend that much money on the Impulse over something else of a comparable price. For example, I absolutely loved the Springfield Armory Redline 2020 which cost’s a bit more than the Impulse. And if it didn’t shoot terrible accuracy I would have kept it. I have a Bergara HMR Carbon that does everything the Impulse and Redline do. And for over four hundred dollars less than the cheaper of those two.

Ergonomics

While I didn’t really care for the bolt manipulation of the Impulse, I am fully prepared to accept it is simply my preference. The rest of the rifles ergonomic features were perfectly acceptable in my opinion. The stock textures and grip areas are well contoured making the rifle easy to shoot and maneuver.

Final Thoughts

After spending some time shooting the Savage Impulse Mountain Hunter, I feel I have a pretty good grasp of its potential. While some of its functions might not be my cup of tea, I certainly wouldn’t feel under-gunned with it. And I would be perfectly confident taking it as my primary hunting rifle on a Rocky Mountain elk hunt.

The added complexity and size of the Impulse don’t particularly add anything for me. So while I might feel confident shooting and hunting with it, I don’t think I would spend the money on one myself. Not with other options available for a more economic price.

As I mentioned at the top, the firearms industry is a bit hostile towards innovation and new ideas. And even though I don’t find the Impulse as appealing as others, I can still applaud Savage for trying it. Who knows, perhaps they will continue refining the Impulse and come out with something I like more than my traditional bolt guns. Either way, if you are interested in the Impulse, get behind one and see if you like the action. The rest of it seems pretty much textbook Savage Arms, which is a good thing.

-CBM

Savage Elite Precision 110 6.5 Creedmoor

May 30, 2023Product review, Shooting hardware6.5 creedmoor, mdt, modular driven designs, savage, savage 110coldboremiracle

Introduction

One of the fastest growing sectors in the sport of shooting is that of precision rifle, organizations like the Precision Rifle Series (PRS) and the National Rifle League (NRL) has rapidly grown the sport worldwide. Today I present to you one example of the rifles that are driving this craze; the rifle is a Savage Elite Precision 110 chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor, married to a Modular Driven Technologies ACC chassis.

I say one example because there are so many great examples it would be daunting to list them all. Today’s subject is a great example to start with, precision shooting and long-range were once a rich man’s game using only custom built rifles. This rifle however is every bit as competitive, and is much easier to obtain for mainstream shooters looking for entry to the precision shooting circuit.

The Savage Model 110

Savage has been in the bolt-action rifle business for a long time, and in my opinion they have done a pretty good job of offering an affordable rifle that punches above its weight. Back when it was all custom rifles, Savage model 10’s and 110’s were often the choice for an effective donor action that wouldn’t break the bank.

The model we’re testing today utilizes Savages popular Accu-trigger, floating bolt-head, and tang-mounted safety. These are common and popular features for the Savage, and well tested over the past decade. On top of the tubular action is a 20 MOA scope mounting rail, also very common on long-range rifles. The base gives a canted starting point for your scope, which allows the internal movement of your reticle a wider range of travel, and helps keep it further from the extreme ends of its travel.

A twenty-six inch stainless barrel is mounted in the action, and it features a heavy profile and a one-in-eight-twist. The threaded muzzle carries a dual ported muzzle brake to help reduce recoil. Before the Fudd’s chime in about 6.5 Creedmoor’s being weak and not in need of recoil reduction, let’s make it clear: Recoil reduction in competitive shooting isn’t about weakness, it’s about spotting your own hits and misses. Muzzle brakes keep you on target so you can hopefully see your impact.

The MDT ACC Chassis

MDT has been building precision rifle chassis for quite some time, and their ACC rifle chassis is one of their more popular competition models. The chassis is compatible with many of the more popular rifle actions, allowing users an upgrade.

The chassis is built from aluminum, and features a skelotonized buttstock with completely adjustable positions. An adjustable pistol grip also allows customization for the user, making the rifle as comfortable as possible. MDT’s chassis is also compatible with the standard Accuracy International pattern magazines, which is a must have nowadays. The foregrip of the rifle is M-Lok compatible to allow adding accessories like weights and barricade stops. Or any other ad-on that PRS type shooting utilizes. There is also a built in ARCA rail on the bottom of the foregrip, this allows the rapid attachment of other support accessories and mounting the rifle atop a tripod.

But how comfortable is it?

I wasted no time prepping the rifle to be range-ready, I added a Harris bipod mounted to an ARCA clamp for easy adjustment on the ACC ARCA rail. And for a scope, I wanted something that would match the rifle’s needs, so I mounted my Kahles 318i in a set of Vortex rings. Once everything was together, I laid behind the rifle to adjust everything to my taste and prepared for the range.

Ready for the range with **Hornady Match ammunition**

In the field

As I lay on the firing line, looking through my little Kahles. I couldn’t help but think; this rifle is quite comfortable. And in no time I would produce some great results because of it.

I loaded a magazine with my Hornady Match ammo, closed the bolt and focused on the target. Tightening up my grip against the trigger, I pressed till it broke. It felt great, the recoil was linear and even, I ran the bolt fast and fired another. And continued till the mag went empty.

The TiN coated bolt of the Savage 110 action was smooth as could be. But I did notice there was a slight hitch in the feed as the cartridges went forward. Every so often I would have to pause my push of the bolt and start again to get it to feed right. I think perhap it didn’t like that particular magazine. Because it seemed to go away when I tried it with a polymer magazine from Magpul.

The rifle shot great besides that. It was easy to keep shots on target though the best I could get the rifle to group was around 1/2 MOA but average was more like .75 MOA. Not bad but also not what competitors would look for. Competition rifles often shoot sub .5 MOA and even as small as .4 or .3 MOA.

I ran the rifle through an afternoon of shooting, burning up my ammunition. It was very enjoyable and ended up teaching me a few things. I also added a Accuracy Solutions B ipod extender to see how it affected the rifle and its shooting, the results were steadier.

The MDT chassis played a big part in the comfort and ability to shoot the rifle well. I was quite pleased with how it felt in my shoulder, and adjusted properly it was a perfect fit for me.

Pros & Cons

I guess there are few things I wish were better, first and foremost would be accuracy. The rifle is apparently not new so I have no idea how many rounds it has downrange. It wouldn’t surprise me if it was excessive.

The magazine hiccup was also a little disheartening. Though I don’t think it’d be hard to correct with a little lip adjustment. But other than that I think the rifle is an outstanding piece of work, chassis and rifle both fit very well together.

The chassis is easily and quickly adjusted to fit any shooter. Its forend is easily adapted to accept accessories with its M-Lok slots and ARCA rail at the bottom. The feel of the chassis was excellent with a naturally occuring “gas-pedal” for the thumb (if you don’t know you gotta look that one up).

The Savage action is like every other savage action I’ve ever shot, not exactly tight but still runs like a sewing machine. All these years later I still don’t particularly care for the Accu-trigger. I usually take them off on personal rifles, but I must admit it is not bad. The muzzle brake was very effective at reducing recoil, and keeping the rifle on target.

In Closure

Despite being a little bit let down by this particular rifle’s accuracy, I still overall liked this setup. With a drop in barrel replacement it could be back in sub-half MOA accuracy if needed. Making everything about it helpful to any shooter in a competitive shooting scenario.

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Ashbury Precision Ordnance Savage 110 6.5 Creedmoor

May 19, 2023Product review, Shooting hardware110, 6.5cm, apo, ashbury precision ordnance, savagecoldboremiracle

Introduction

I’ve been a precision rifle junkie for over two decades now. Having been part of the community all these years I’ve seen a few things come and go. There has been a great deal of equipment presented by a plethora of manufacturers, and today we are going to revisit a couple of those. Today we are looking at the Savage 110 6.5 Creedmoor.

Ashbury Precision Ordnance (APO) has been a big name in the industry for some time. Manufacturing rifle chassis and rifle systems. Savage Arms is another big name in the shooting sports that has been well known for making all kinds of firearms, but particularly as it relates to today’s subject. Savage is well known for making affordable precision for those that have perhaps a tighter budget. The rifle we are discussing today is a combination of the above two companies. It is a Savage Model 10 6.5 creedmoor rifle combined with APO’s Saber chassis system.

Ashbury Precision Ordnance

APO is an international manufacturer and broker of firearms and their accessories, offering high performance shooting equipment. I was made aware of APO years ago when I began to see more and more of their rifles and chassis systems show up on the scene.

My initial impression back then was that APO’s designs were specifically focused on shooting performance. By that I mean their rifles and chassis were built quite robust. Rigid and perhaps even overbuilt is one way you could describe them. For static accurate shooting, this is not a bad approach. But for fast moving competitive shooting styles it could be perhaps a little less ideal.

In recent years APO has all but disappeared from the places I remember seeing them so often before. So much in fact I wondered if they had moved on to another market. These are of course only one man’s opinions, and perhaps I am simply less observant than most.

Savage Arms

I bought my first Savage decades ago, I was already deep into the dark art of rifling and even had custom rifles built prior. But that old Savage 10FP just hit right, and I had to have it. It quickly because my favorite due mainly to its flat-out performance. I would make some of the best shots of my career with that rifle because of the consistent use and familiarity.

This is a common thread among Savage shooters. In my opinion, despite the lower cost of Savage barreled-actions they frequently punch above their weight. A reputation like this has led to a cult-like following by many who have had the same experience I did. On many occasions I watched as my little Savage outshot rifles two and three times the cost (possibly due to the shooters skill). Today’s subject is a direct descendant of my old 10FP. The Savage model 110 being a more modern version of the same design.

Shop Savage bolt action rifles, because you are civilized

Unboxing

When I first opened the box I wasn’t sure what to expect. I knew it was going to be an APO/Savage combination but of what generation I wondered. As I lifted it from the box my curiosity remained, as it appeared to be of a slightly older model.

The complete rifle was quite long. Sporting a twenty-six inch fluted Creedmoor barrel that was tipped at the end with a three-prong suppressor mount. The large diameter M-Lok handguard filled my support hand , and the AR-15 styled pistol grip granted easy access to the trigger. At the rear of the rifle, a folding buttstock reminded me of times past. Mounted on an AR buffer-tube was an adjustable buttstock. The Savage action had the longer bolt handle and knob typically seen on the long-range models. It also featured Savage’s famous Accu-Trigger, and a tang-mounted safety. I ran the bolt a few times with the rifle shouldered, and everything felt right in the world. The rifle is fed by AI pattern box magazines. This rifle came with a Magpul version which was easily removed by the large mag-catch in front of the trigger-guard.

Preparation for the Range

Everything looked right, so it was time to prep this rifle for the range. I would need just a few things to see how this rifle would perform, mainly a rifle scope and a bipod. Choosing to put my US Optics FDN25X on the rifle was easy, mainly because it was close and available. I installed a Magpul sling stud in the front of the handguard so I could install a Harris SL bipod.

Once I had those two items installed on the rifle. I again tested everything for compatibility and found something I wasn’t prepared for. Even after mounting my scope as far back as I could on the scope rail. The length of pull was so long I couldn’t even get a good position to see through the scope. Despite all the adjustments on the buttstock it was incapable of getting any shorter than it already was. This was going to be trouble as I simply couldn’t shoot it as it. I could have mounted the scope differently or install another scope but it wouldn’t have completely solved the problem. I ended up having to swap out the buttstock for a shorter collapsable type, not exactly my first choice but it would work to get the rifle on the range.

On the range

It was time to get this rifle on the range and see what it would do. I prefer testing rifles in the open country of the Rocky Mountains or the wide open deserts nearby. It allows for long-range testing and there nobody there to bother you.

Once I had this rifle on the firing line with a target setup at one-hundred yards, it was finally time to feed it. I loaded a few rounds of Hornady Match 140 grain ammunition. I’d boresighted the rifle previously, so I was expecting it to be on paper. After firing a few shots, they weren’t where I expected them to be on paper. Then I discovered another unexpected predicament.

Issues?

The ejector didn’t seem to be working on the rifle, it would pull the spent cases from the chamber. But then it would drop them shortly thereafter leaving me no choice but to finger the case out of the way. While this was an unfortunate and unpleasant development, it’s not a big deal either. The ejector spring is an easy repair to make, which I would have done if I’d had the parts. But without them I just moved forward with my testing.

The rifle shot ok, I would have liked it to shoot better for sure though. Groups averaged under MOA but barely, and a rifle like this should be shooting 1/2 MOA all day long.

The more I shot the rifle the more familiar I became with its functions. This rifle fed like a dream, especially with that long bolt handle to give more leverage. Surely the low friction of the Magpul magazine were to thank for it. The 6.5CM is not a big recoiling rifle, but competition rifles are typically built for as little recoil as possible and this rifle could have used a better brake towards that end.

The chassis of the rifle was a bit cumbersome for me, it folds to reduce the overall size of the rifle which is nice. But my complaints are more regarding use, the magazine well seemed entirely too narrow. I required significantly more focus when reloading than other rifle chassis I’ve used.

Pros & Cons

Three-prong muzzle device, perhaps a brake would have been better

Pros
-Solid and very robust design
-Compatible with popular designs and accessories
-Folding stock for reduced transport
-Accu Trigger feels good as always
-Extended bolt handle for extra leverage
Cons
-Buttstock was too long, couldn’t go short enough
-Magwell was finicky
-Accuracy had degraded to sub-par
-Ejector issue

Read the Conclusion Here

CONCLUSION

In my experience, Savage rifles typically shoot better than this one did. It’s certainly possible that this rifle is in need of a tune-up after years of use with a previous owner. Or it could just be one of those occasional ones that doesn’t shoot that great.

The APO chassis was kind of a letdown too. Looks aren’t everything, obviously, but they do count for something. This chassis felt like it had fallen out of a time machine from 2003. The only thing about it that felt relevant was the Magpul magazine.

-CBM

Like Savage rifles? Here is another one.

Savage 110 6.5 Creedmoor

May 17, 2022Product review, Shooting hardware110, 6.5 creedmoor, model 110, savagecoldboremiracle

Introduction

One of my first loves was an old Savage 10FP in 308. It had all the simplicity a guy could want, and it just plain shot. I have had a bunch of Savages over the years, and I have typically had a pretty good experience with them. So when the opportunity to shoot a newer version of the model 10/110 I was eager to see how it compared to the old FP I loved so much. Today we are looking at a more modern and similar rifle, the Savage 110 6.5 Creedmoor.

My old Savage 10FP from almost twenty years ago

Savage has been around for a long time, and they have made quite a few guns in that time. One of my initial concerns with this rifle in particular was if it stood up to the classic Savages that I’ve shot over the years, I would find out soon enough.

The Model 110

The 110 action has changed through several different generations over the decades, but this current 6.5 Creedmoor model is not too different from those of the past. Like most Savage actions, is is machined from round stock with a front and rear ring. A two-lug bolt rotates the floating head into the front ring of the action, and the twenty-four inch eight-twist barrel is threaded into the front of the action. A recoil lug is sandwiched there, and the whole assembly held together with a barrel nut.

At the rear of the action the safety and Accu-Trigger are attached, and the whole thing is set into the polymer stock. I’ve never been a big fan of the cheap plastic stocks on economy priced rifles, but some of the few that were despicable in my eyes have been Savages such as this one. On the bottom of the polymer stock, there is a detachable box magazine that holds three cartridges.
This model is obviously marketed as a hunting rifle, it’s weight and profile features are optimized for a hunter. That being the case I wasn’t surprised by some of the features, or a lack of others. I guess you could say that in my estimation this was a basic no-frills hunting rifle.

Outfitting

Being a hunting rifle, I wanted to setup the rifle the way I would use it. The open Rocky Mountains where I hunt are full of big spaces, and shots can be had from archery range to as far as you’d dare pull a trigger. I decided to mount my Gen 1 Vortex PST 4-16, perhaps a little old school for today’s market, but these older scopes always worked great for me. Way back in the day,I actually got one of the very first ones that came out, serial number four. I mounted the scope in a pair of Warne rings, and bore-sighted it on my kitchen counter. After attaching a bipod for convenience and accuracy testing, I lubed up the action before heading out to shoot.

Shop all Savage firearms, the founding fathers would want you to.

I wanted to give the Savage a few different ammunition options to see how it performed. Some rifles are pretty picky when it comes to shooting accurately with any given ammo. So I wanted to have as many options for success as possible. The current situation at the ammo isle is pretty sad still, I have managed to find a bunch of stuff lately but the 6.5CM is still not as common as it once was. That being the case I decide to shoot a few of the factory options I had available, as well as some of my most common handloads that have done well in my other 6.5’s. Continue Reading Here…

OPENING SHOTS IN THE FIELD

Savage 10/110 Rifle — I put a few different loads through the rifle.

After a vigorous hike that took me up to 5,000 feet, I paced off 100 yards and checked it with my rangefinder. I spent a few shots getting the rifle zeroed. Once I felt it had a good zero, I set to trying the hodgepodge selection of ammo I had brought. First off, I tried the Hornady match 143-grain ammo. It wasn’t bad, but it didn’t exactly impress me either. I also tried some Desert Tech 140-grain Match, which also shot kind of ho-hum. I was really hoping my handloads did better. Otherwise, this was going to be a very quick review.

The next up was my 120-grain handloads. These are a boat-tail hollow-point round that I have used in several rifles for many years now. My son used them to take his very first mule deer as well as his first elk. Having used them quite a bit over the years, I was optimistic that they would do well in this little Savage.

The best I could get this 110 to group was just barely over one MOA with this ammunition. Which turned out to provide the most consistent groups of all the rounds that I shot. I picked out a few targets at some modest distances across the little draw, hitting 6 to 10-inch sized targets was pretty easy. I would feel more than comfortable using this rifle for deer hunting at ranges inside 400 yards.

PROS

This Savage has some great things going for it as a hunting rifle. It’s not particularly heavy. But at just shy of 8 pounds, it fits squarely in the average hunting rifle size. It’s 24-inch barrel is a fairly light profile and easily pointed, and I’m glad it’s not a 26-incher.

The Accu-Trigger never was a big selling point for me, but this one feels fine, and it’s perfectly suitable for a hunting rifle. While the magazine functioned flawlessly and fed smooth, it did feel a little cheap and somewhat finicky to remove from the rifle.

CONS

It’s hard to screw up a classic, so I wasn’t surprised with how well the 110 functioned. That said, I was left feeling a bit let down with the accuracy of this rifle. The one thing I really wanted this rifle to be was an excellent shooter, as I’ve become accustomed to that.

While I certainly feel like I could use this rifle for hunting, I would probably pick one of my other rifles over this one. Sub-MOA accuracy is a minimum “must have” for my hunting rifles, and this one just didn’t want to do it consistently. With more time and different ammo choices, perhaps I could’ve found a combo that it really liked.

CONCLUSION

The price point of this rifle seems to put it above entry level in the production market. At an MSRP of $849, it’s not exactly a slam dunk. But to be fair, with rifles in this price range, I have seen some disparity in performance. While the performance on this particular model didn’t blow me away, it wouldn’t surprise me to see better results from another example.

The reliability and function of the rifle did stand up with all the other good Savages I’ve shot over the years, so perhaps this one just needed a little coaxing.

-CBM