This will be a shamefully brief review...much shorter than my normal reviews.
I bought THIS rifle for my 10-year old's birthday, in .223. He had shot the **** out of his BB rifle and pistol, and it was time to get a real gun. I've had 2 other Savage bolt-actions--both excellent rifles--so I decided to give this one a try for him.
- .223 caliber: I thought long and hard about .223 vs .243, and I'm glad I ended up with the .223. Very nice balance of a small rifle with a small shooter. Bonus: it's totally fun for me also!
- Trigger: usual Accutrigger greatness
- Action: smooth enough for a 10 year old to operate without problem...no complaints there
- Stock: surprisingly decent synthetic stock with functional stippling on grip and fore-end, but I could imagine a stock upgrade when he gets older...not the same stock pictured on website; it's actually a nicer stock
- Scope: It came with a cheaper model Nikon 3-9x40, and I'm not impressed. I would have preferred to buy the rifle and scope separately, but this rifle only comes as a package. It's good enough for him to learn on, but I'm sure it will get upgraded.
- Accuracy: I couldn't be happier with it. 3-shot groups at 100 yards: .89" with cheap factory 55-grain; .64" with PMC 75-grain. I can't wait to get a hand-load dialed in.
Overall, great rifle at a very reasonable price. Between his new rifle, and also getting some time with my old Ruger 22/45 pistol, he's hooked!
I bought THIS rifle for my 10-year old's birthday, in .223. He had shot the **** out of his BB rifle and pistol, and it was time to get a real gun. I've had 2 other Savage bolt-actions--both excellent rifles--so I decided to give this one a try for him.
- .223 caliber: I thought long and hard about .223 vs .243, and I'm glad I ended up with the .223. Very nice balance of a small rifle with a small shooter. Bonus: it's totally fun for me also!
- Trigger: usual Accutrigger greatness
- Action: smooth enough for a 10 year old to operate without problem...no complaints there
- Stock: surprisingly decent synthetic stock with functional stippling on grip and fore-end, but I could imagine a stock upgrade when he gets older...not the same stock pictured on website; it's actually a nicer stock
- Scope: It came with a cheaper model Nikon 3-9x40, and I'm not impressed. I would have preferred to buy the rifle and scope separately, but this rifle only comes as a package. It's good enough for him to learn on, but I'm sure it will get upgraded.
- Accuracy: I couldn't be happier with it. 3-shot groups at 100 yards: .89" with cheap factory 55-grain; .64" with PMC 75-grain. I can't wait to get a hand-load dialed in.
Overall, great rifle at a very reasonable price. Between his new rifle, and also getting some time with my old Ruger 22/45 pistol, he's hooked!
