Savage 4

     This is a bolt-action takedown rifle based on a modified Model 3 (a single-shot design).  The action was sturdy and solid, and the lines of the weapon appealing.  The various models had a long production run, from 1933 to 1965.  Model 6s produced after World War 2 had Monte Carlo stocks.  The Model 4M fired magnum cartridges, but was otherwise identical to the other post-war rifles.  The Model 5 was a Model 4 with a tubular underbarrel magazine instead of the box magazine of the Model 4. 

Savage 10FCM

     Notes: This is a scout rifle, i.e., a rifle shooting medium caliber rounds that is no more than a meter in length, very light in weight, able to mount a telescopic sight, has backup iron sights, and is usually equipped with a sling for carrying.  The Savage 10FCM is such a rifle, and is ideal for small-statured people such as teenagers and females.  It is based on the short action of the Savage 110.  It has a Weaver Rail for mounting most Western telescopic sights, and a synthetic stock for light weight.  The Savage 10FCM does have a slight problem with extraction, in that sometimes the round fails to extract fully and must be manually pulled from the chamber.

Savage 12

     Notes: These rifles are considered varmint rifles by Savage, though some of them fire some decent calibers.  They are heavy, accurate weapons, with free-floating, fluted, heavy barrels and laminated wood stocks (except for the FV series, which has a synthetic stock).  The bolt knob is oversized to enable a good grasp.  They have no iron sights, but are drilled and tapped for a scope.  They have what Savage calls an Accu-Trigger – a fully adjustable trigger that incorporates a safety that does not allow the rifle to be accidentally discharged.  There are several variants available, including single-shot version of most of the rifles.  The Model 12VSS is a special version with a skeletonized Choate synthetic stock and alloy bedding.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: These rifles are not available in the Twilight 2000 timeline.

Savage 40

     Notes: This was basically an enlargement of Savage rimfire designs.  It was designed for medium-caliber rounds and is very simple in both appearance and operation.  The .250 Savage and .30-30 Winchester chamberings used a 22-inch barrel, while the .300 Savage and .30-06 chamberings used a 24-inch barrel.  The rifle’s simple elegance was its downfall; comparable but fancier offerings were available from Winchester at the time.

Savage 40 (New)

     Notes: This is not the first Savage rifle to be called the Model 40, as can be seen above.  The new Model 40 is a single-shot bolt-action rifle released in early 2005 chambered for .22 Hornet; other chamberings are expected for 2006 (or possibly later), and these are represented below in speculative terms.  The receiver is of heat-treated steel, and the top of the receiver has a Weaver-type scope base already installed.  The barrel is actually threaded about 7.6 centimeters ahead of the breech instead of right at the breech; this gives the barrel additional support from the receiver and strengthens the breech.  It also somewhat enhances accuracy.  The new Model 40 is equipped with an adjustable AccuTrigger.  The new Model 40 does have a manual safety which locks the bolt open if the bolt is drawn to the rear, and otherwise locks the trigger mechanism.  The stock is of laminated hardwood. 

     Twilight 2000 Notes: This rifle does not exist.

Savage 111

     Notes: The Model 111 – the “Classic Hunter” series – partially replaced the Savage 110 series in 1994.  The various members of the Model 111 series are basically the same for game purposes, the differences being primarily in the stock patterns and/or materials used.  The standard Model 111, (the 111F) has a synthetic straight comb stock.  The variants of note are the Model 111FAK (also known as the Express), which has a barrel two inches shorter, but is equipped with a muzzle brake; and the Model 111FC, which has a detachable box magazine.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: This is a rare rifle in the Twilight 2000 World, and the Model 111FAK is almost unheard of.

Savage 114/14 American Classic

     Notes: New for 2005, the American Classic is a classic-style bolt-action rifle designed for general hunting purposes.  The Model 114 American Classic uses a long action, while the Model 14 uses a short action.  The Model 114 uses a 22-inch barrel for standard chamberings, and a 24-inch barrel for magnum calibers; the Model 14 does likewise.  Both are drilled and tapped for a scope mount, and have no iron sights.  They have stocks of satin-lacquered American walnut, with an ebony cap on the fore-end.  The metalwork is polished blue, and both models use Savage’s adjustable AccuTrigger mechanism.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: These rifles does not exist in the Twilight 2000 timeline.

Savage 114U

     Notes: This is a modern-construction rifle built with old-fashioned conservative styling.  The stock is especially well-done, made of fine-grain walnut with a glossy, weather-resistant finish.  The butt has a shallow recoil pad that nonetheless helps cushion recoil.  The fore-end tip of the stock is another nod to classic finishes; it is ebony black with no spacers.  The stock is of the Monte Carlo design, with a grip cut and checkering for a surer grip.  The ejection port is large to ensure proper ejection, and the bolt operates smoothly.

Savage 116SE Safari Express

     Notes: This is sort of a Savage “elephant gun,” firing the massive .458 Winchester Magnum cartridge.  The Safari Express has Savage’s new AccuTrigger, something which reduces trigger pull to manageable proportions.  The Safari Express also has a muzzle brake which can be disabled simply by twisting it, which is for use at local firing ranges where the .458’s massive muzzle blast would offend the neighboring shooters if funneled through a muzzle brake.  It is not considered a very efficient muzzle brake, but it does reduce recoil somewhat.  The Safari Express is drilled and tapped for a scope, but it also has express leaf sights, making the rifle also useful in the stalking role.  Most of the metalwork is stainless steel, including crossbolts which strength the mechanism of the rifle.  The butt has a recoil pad, and there is a ill-positioned sling swivel which can bite one’s forward hand when firing the rifle.  The Safari Express can be a little finicky about ammunition, with slightly long bullet often hanging up on the feed ramp and a magazine that is difficult to load by feel. 

     It is worth noting that this rifle no longer appears on the Savage website, and may have been discontinued.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: This rifle does not exist in the Twilight 2000 timeline.

Savage 340

     The Savage 340 series was actually sold for part of its lifetime under the Stevens name.  It was introduced in 1947 as the Stevens 320 series (Stevens 322, 325, and 330), but in 1950 was taken back under the Savage name as the Savage 340 series.  They were all inexpensive rifles with detachable box magazines.

Savage Axis

     Notes: A descendant of the Model 10/110, the Axis was originally called the Edge until copyright issues raised their heads.  The Axis, however, is regarded as a budget rifle (IRL), and there are enough differences between the Axis and Model 10/110 that the Axis is not simply a modified Model 10/110.  Notable by it’s lack is Savage’s excellent AccuTrigger system.  The Axis, however, does have a light trigger of only 5 pounds with a crisp break and let-off.  The bolt head design is perhaps better than that of the Model 10/110, with a 3-lug bolt design with even pressure on the rear of the cartridge case, and excellent alignment of the cartridge with the bore.  The bolt handle is skeletonized, though strong and with a substantial knob on the end. The tail of the firing pin serves as a chamber-loaded indicator.  The manual safety us a thumb switch that pulls up and down, with a red dot to tell the shooter that the weapon is off safe. The stock is polymer, with steel strengthening rods within, and has a thick, ventilated recoil pad.  The Axis has a box magazine.  The trigger guard is large enough for a heavily-gloved finger, and the magazine release and manual safety are also large enough for a heavily-gloved thumb.  These items are also of polymer.  The stock is normally black, but can also be had in Realtree Camouflage (IRL, for an extra charge).  The stock is designed to be narrower than most hunting rifle stocks, which allows for a more secure hold.  The top of the receiver is both grooved and tapped for scope rings, and rails can be added, but none come with the Axis, and no iron sights are provided.

     Barrels are 22 inches, accurized, have a target crown, and are of stainless steel. With the excellent trigger, the Axis yields excellent accuracy. A Youth Model has a 20-inch trigger and a shorter length of pull, but is otherwise the same.

Stevens 200

     Notes: This rifle, made in long and short-action versions, is actually manufactured and sold by Savage Arms.  Introduced in 2005 at the SHOT Show, it was designed to be an inexpensive rifle, but not cheap in quality.  It is essentially a late-model Savage 110 without the AccuTrigger unit and with somewhat different chamberings.  The Stevens 200 comes standard with a synthetic stock, light gray in color, with checkering on the pistol grip wrist and fore-end.  The barrel is dual-pillar bedded and free-floating, and the entire rifle feels solid and strong.  Most chamberings use a barrel of 22 inches, but the two magnum chamberings have a 24-inch barrel.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: This rifle does not exist in the Twilight 2000 timeline.