I’ll admit, the weight shocked me when I pulled this gun out of the box. Chassis rifles have become extremely popular in recent years, and it was inevitable that they would move into the hunting scene. This new Savage 110 rifle does just that, as it may well be the first chassis rifle targeted specifically for hunting.
The chassis replaces a traditional stock and combines all aspects of the stock as well as a magazine well. They are more “modern” in design and usually have adjustable parts like the cheekpiece and length of pull. Typically, chassis are made entirely of synthetic materials or metal, they are not subject to the whimsy of weather or bad conditions. They don’t change dimensions with humidity, they don’t warp, and the finish won’t turn all ugly after a rainy day. They are pretty much weather- and waterproof. The chassis has a machined metal bedding area and eliminates any bedding problems. They are typically bolted to the barreled action with precision that is conducive to accuracy.
Many of the best precision rifles today are fitted with a chassis rather than a traditional wood or synthetic stock. Everything is adjustable, so they will fit a wide range of shooters very precisely, which leads to better field accuracy. While traditionalists hate them because they’re not well figured and finely checkered wood, chassis are currently the best option for accuracy and ease of use in any rifle. The single biggest issue holding chassis rifles back for hunting use is that they are heavy. Until now.
This rifle weighs less than 6 pounds.
The 20-inch barrel on my sample is carbon-wrapped, stainless steel from Proof Research. That again reduces the weight by using the latest technology available. The factory blueprinted Savage 110 stainless steel action is lightened with relief cuts in non-critical areas.
It’s all fitted to a MDT carbon-fiber and magnesium chassis. It features a carbon-fiber fore-end, pistol grip and buttstock. The buttstock is also foam filled so it feels and acts solid. The chassis has a cheekpiece that is adjustable for comb height. The length of pull is adjustable by using any or all of the four included spacers. It came from the factory with the LOP set at 12 3/4 inches. While this is a bit shorter than is traditional, it’s a good fit when I am in cold-weather gear, so I left it as is. There is a half-inch rubber buttpad on the back. The buttstock folds to fit the rifle in a case or to allow cleaning the bore without lowering the adjustable comb. There are attachment points front and back on both sides for a QR sling. The fore-end has an integrated ARCA rail to allow attaching a bipod, tripod, light, laser or whatever is needed. (I like it clean for hunting, so I added nothing for now.)
The bolt is short and has diamond fluting for weight reduction, and it is fitted with a carbon-fiber bolt knob. The result is the lightest-weight factory produced chassis rifle I have come across, one that begs to go hunting.
As expected, the barrel is threaded at the muzzle for a 5/8x24 attachment. It comes with a low-profile and very effective muzzle brake installed and can easily be fitted with a silencer. The scope mount is a one-piece 20 MOA Picatinny rail that is attached with No. 8 screws for added strength. The gun takes AICS magazines and comes with one in a three-round capacity. Like many AICS fitted guns, the mag rattles enough to be annoying when it’s empty, but that goes away when it’s loaded.
The extractor is the same spring-loaded sliding hook on the forward end of the right bolt lug we are used to seeing in a 110. The bolt features twin spring-loaded ejectors to ensure more positive ejection.
The action and bolt are coated with Blackout Cerakote, and the chassis is in Gun Metal Gray Cerakote. When blended with the carbon fiber of the barrel, fore-end, grip and butt, it makes a striking looking rifle. This thing is futuristic looking, and while I embrace the pragmatic as well as the visual distinction, it’s sure to make a traditionalist hunter foam at the mouth. No matter, the current generation of hunters will love this rifle.
The AccuTrigger is adjustable from 1.5 to 4 pounds. The sample gun’s trigger breaks cleanly at 2.75 pounds, which is perfect for a hunting rifle. However, if the owner exploits the dual-use potential of this rifle and decides to use it for long-range shooting or competition, it’s easy enough to dial down the trigger pull weight to 1.5 pounds.
The action opens a bit stiff on a fired case, perhaps due to the short bolt handle. The bolt is also a bit sticky to run. I suspect that is due to the rather thickly applied Cerakote. In my experience that will wear in and the smoothness will improve with use.
The Savage 110 Ultralite Elite is available in 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, .308 Win., 7mm PRC, .300 WSM and .300 Win. Mag. I chose the 6.5 PRC as I think it’s a perfect marriage with this rifle for hunting deer and similar-size game. I have been using the 6.5 PRC for a couple of years now and so far have been impressed with its performance on deer-size game. The recoil of this rifle is very mild, so it’s a good option for anyone with recoil issues.
I suspect that hunters who are looking for the pinnacle of new technology in their rifles are going to love this gun. In fact, other than the entrenched traditionalists, I believe that any hunter is going to want one. Why wouldn’t they?
Savage 110 Ultralite Elite Specifications
- Type: bolt-action centerfire rifle
- Caliber: 6.5 PRC (tested), 6.5 Creedmoor, 7 PRC, .308 Win., .300 WSM, .300 Win. Mag.
- Magazine: AICS-style; 3-rnd.
- Barrel: 20"; Proof Research carbon-fiber-wrapped stainless steel; Sendero lite contour; cut rifled; 1:8" RH twist; threaded muzzle w/Omniport muzzle brake
- Trigger: AccuTrigger, adjustable 1.5 lbs.- 4 lbs. pull weight
- Sights: none; drilled and tapped w/20 MOA Picatinny rail installed
- Safety: two-position, tang-mounted
- Stock: MDT HNT26 chassis; MDT carbon-fiber fore-end, buttstock and pistol grip
- Metal Finish: Blackout Cerakote on action and bolt, Gunmetal Gray Cerakote on chassis
- Overall Length: 45.29"
- Weight: 5.9 lbs.
- Accessories: LOP spacers, magazine well inserts, sling studs
- savagearms.com
- MSRP: $3,299.00
