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 – 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.

Savage BTV

     Notes: A racy-looking rifle with its streamlined lines, Monte Carlo comb, and thumbhole stock, the BTV is one of the most distinctive bolt-action rimfire rifles on the market today (Dec 2018). The stock is of laminated hardwood finished in a dark, even finish.  The trigger is a user-adjustable Accu-Trigger (something common on modern Savage rifles), with a very light factory-set pull weight of 2.5 pounds.  The 21-inch barrel is of carbon steel, but of heavy profile.  It should be noted that while the rifle is marked as being chambered for .22 Long Rifle, the magazine will fit and the rifle will also chamber .22 Long and .22 Short cartridges.  The BTV, however, is considered a bit heavy for it’s type of rifle, though the heavy barrel contributes to this.

     The Model 93R17 BTV is designed for .17 HMR.  The Mk II BTV is designed for .22 rounds, and has a 22-inch barrel.  The Mk I BTV has a 21-inch barrel.

Savage Impulse

     Notes: The Impulse is rare for a modern bolt-action – it uses a straight-pull action rather than requiring a locking stroke and an unlocking stroke like almost all bolt-action rifles.  This is mechanically a bit more complex than a traditional bolt-action rifle, but can allow a practiced user to almost double his rate of fire.  (This explains the strange ROF figure below.)  It comes in three models, which have differences in barrel lengths, some of the construction, and mix of chamberings.  The Impulse is new for 2021.

     In broad strokes, the Impulse has a composite stock, a Picatinny Rail above the receiver, is fed by a detachable box magazine, has a comb adjustable for height by the use of one of five comb-pieces, a stock length adjustable by five butt-spacers, an adjustable AccuTrigger (down to 6 pounds of pull weight), an ambidextrous bolt handle adjustable for angle, a two-position tang safety which disconnects the sear when engaged, a quick bolt release, a side bolt release, allowing the bolt to be removed separately from the action, an innovative bolt locking system called HexLock which allows for simple bolt interchanging and a robust lock-up, an aluminum receiver, and the rifle has soft-touch pads on the semi-pistol wrist and fore-end which are checkered and allow for a good grip.  Field stripping is toolless, as is most of the parts which would normally be serviced by a gunsmith.  Barrels are floating. Colors include OD Green, Black, and several camouflage patterns.

     The Hog Hunter comes in several high-power, flat-shooting chamberings, and is, as the name suggests, designed for use against feral hogs and other dangerous North American and European game, and to be quick to aim and fire.  External metalwork on this model is finished in black, with the stock in OD Green. The 18-inch barrel is of carbon steel in a medium-weight contour.  The muzzle is threaded; normally, a cap is screwed onto the threads, and this provides a target crown.  However, the Hog Hunter is able to use most screw-on suppressors built for the chambering of the rifle, or even a flash suppressor or muzzle brake if you are so inclined.

     The Big Game version has a receiver and barrel finished in Hazel Green Cerekote, and a camouflaged stock in a combination of charcoal gray with cream, green, and OD Green-colored swatches.  The barrel is carbon steel with a medium contour, like the Hog Hunter, but is 22 inches (or 24 inches for the magnum chamberings) and is fluted in addition to having the threading of the Hog Hunter.

     The Predator is the newest version of the Impulse, entering the market in June of 2021.  External metalwork is finished in matte black, including the barrel.  The features themselves are the same as other Impulse rifles and the stock has a Mossy Oak camouflage pattern.  Unlike the other Impulses, the Predator is fed by a 10-round AICS magazine instead of the four-round magazines of other Impulse rifles.  The barrel is 20 inches long and otherwise like other barrels in the Impulse series.  The Predator is designed for long hunts, and possibly a lot of misses.

Savage Mark II

     Notes: The Mark II (not to be confused with the BTV Mark II above) is designed specifically to be an accurate plinking rifle.  Like the BTV Mk II, Savage says that the Mark II is designed for .22 Long Rifle ammunition, but the magazines will fit and the rifle will chamber and operate with .22 Short or .22 Long ammunition.

     The initial base rifle of the line is the Mark II G, which has the now-standard Savage adjustable Accu-Trigger; from the factory, though, it has a light, crisp trigger pull with little takeup.  It has open, non-adjustable sights.  It uses a polyurethane-finished hardwood stock with a Monte Carlo comb.  The metalwork is matte blued and of carbon steel,  including the 21-inch barrel. The Mark II G is lightweight and easy to use, but the stock length makes it more suited for older teenagers and adults.

     The current base rifle of the Mark II line is the Mark II F, which is a simplified and shortened version of the Mark II G. The barrel is reduced to 21 inches (button rifled), and the stock is full synthetic material instead of being filled hardwood.  The trigger pack is Savage’s now-standard AccuTrigger, which is of course user-adjustable and gives short, crisp trigger pulls. Furniture finish is matte black, and the metalwork blued. The Mark II Stainless is the same rifle with stainless steel metalwork and a semigloss stock. The Mark II Camo is the Mark II F with a Next G1 camouflaged stock.

     The Mark II Minimalist Green is a Mark II F with a shorter 18-inch barrel and a Boyd’s Minimalist Stock, which is a laminated wood stock in green, red and brown colors.  The Mark II Minimalist Brown is the same rifle but with a stock in three-tone brown.

     The Mark II FV is a Mark II F which has a heavy barrel and a stock with some weight added to counterbalance the heavier barrel. The Mark II FV-SR is a version of the Mark II FV which has a 16.5-inch threaded-muzzle barrel and a short section of Picatinny Rail above the receiver, and usually feeds from smaller magazines (which are what are normally sold with the Mark II FV-SR). The Mark II FV-SR Gator Camo is the same rifle, but with a stock with a green/scaly/gray camo pattern. The Mark II FVXP is a Mark II FV with a factory-mounted (but removable), boresighted 3-9x40 telescopic sight, included in the price below. The Mark II FXP is the same as the Mark II FVXP, but has a rather bright OD green stock.

     The Mark II FVT is designed for competition shooting and is Olympic-quality and regulation.  It is similar to the Mark II FV, but has a target-quality heavy barrel and is equipped with competition micrometer-adjustable peep sights.  It too is normally sold with 5-round magazines, which are also regulation-sized.

     The Mark II BV is essentially the Mark II FV with a laminated wooden stock, and is the same except for being heavier than the Mark II FV. The Mark II BTV is the same rifle with a thumbhole-style straight-in-line stock.  The Mark II BTVS is the same rifle with stainless steel metalwork.  The Mark II BTVSS is the same as the Mark II BTVS but in a left-hand version. The Mark II BRJ is the same as the Mark II BV, but with a multi-color laminated stock and a fluted barrel. The Mark II BSEV is the Mark II BRJ with a skeletonized stock called the Evolution stock, and a stainless fluted barrel.

     The Mark II TRR-SR has the Accu-Trigger like all Savage rifles.  It has a heavy-profile 22-inch barrel which is threaded, and when the cap it on, presents a target crown.  The stock is of matte black hardwood, with a deep-pocket semi-pistol grip, and the receiver is topped with a short length of Picatinny rail at the rear and a longer length forward of the receiver, allowing for various scope or optics mounts; it does not, however, have iron sights. The Mark II TR is the same rifle with scope mounts, but not a Picatinny Rail.

     The Mark II GY is essentially a Mark II G designed for youth shooters such as younger teenagers, as well as small-statured adults.  The primary change is in the stock, which has an LOP 50 millimeters shorter than the Mark II G’s stock.  It also does not have a Monte Carlo comb, and has more drop in it.  The barrel is also shorter at 19 inches.