By R.K. Campbell | Contributing Editor
I have owned and used Savage rifles for decades. From the epic Model 1899 lever-action to the modern Model 110 bolt-action and my favorite Model 10, they have never let me down.
I have also used a number of rimfire rifles and the budget grade Savage Axis with good results.
The new rifle in my safe is similar in many ways to other Savage models but also as different as different can be. The Savage Impulse is a straight pull rifle. The bolt locks up via steel ball bearings. The action is tugged to the rear and then pressed forward without any type of camming or turn bolt action. While difficult to get right, as the history of straight pull rifles shows, when properly done you have a fast handling rifle with great strength. The Savage Impulse is properly done by any standard.
The introduction of the Savage Impulse straight pull breaks new ground. The Impulse has a number of advantages over any turn bolt rifle. The ability to mount a scope lower than a turn bolt is one of these. There is no concern for bolt throw, just pull the rifle bolt to the rear. Speed is another. Don’t dally when operating this action- work the bolt aggressively and you have a rifle with real speed but also real strength. There are numerous advantages. Before you fire the Impulse it is important to familiarize yourself with the operation of the Savage Impulse.
The Savage Impulse loads with a detachable magazine that is easily removed and slapped back in place. Briskly operate the bolt to load the chamber. A well-designed tang safety makes the rifle safe when loaded. If you wish to unload the rifle when the chamber is loaded, press the bolt release plunger to draw the bolt to the rear. This is a smooth linear motion accomplished by using a removeable bolt head with six stainless steel bearings. These bearings are used in place of locking lugs.
There is a lever set in the full profile bolt that allows quick removal of the Hexlock bolt head to provide access to the firing pin for cleaning. To remove the bolt, a plunger is located on the left side of the receiver. Once the bolt is removed cleaning is simple enough. If the bolt isn’t cocked it will not return to the receiver. Grasp the bolt and cock the bolt handle to cock the bolt and lower the stainless steel bearings into their recesses.
At this point you may wish to adjust the bolt handle. You may adjust bolt throw up to thirty degrees easily. But there is more and this is among the most surprising innovations.
The Savage Impulse may be changed from right to left hand operation by switching the bolt handle. That simply could not be done with a turn bolt action rifle. Press a plunger pin to remove a bolt cap and then unscrew the lower cover to remove the bolt. Grooves in the bolt meet a corresponding groove in the bolt body. Move the for the angle you choose or even move the bolt over for left hand operation.
The Impulse is similar in outline to other Savage rifles. The barrel features the same type of button rifling used in the Model Ten but modified for the Hexlock-type lockup. The barrel is threaded to accept either a sound suppressor or muzzle brake. An optic mounting rail is integral to the barrel.
The Savage Impulse rifle also features the much copied AccuTrigger, which allows adjustment of the trigger action by reducing sear engagement, yet remains safe at lightweight trigger pulls by use of a blade-type safety lever set into the trigger face. The trigger assembly housing is all metal a pleasing touch.
The Impulse also features the highly adjustable AccuStock, which allows the shooter to adjust length of pull and comb height by use of several supplied stock inserts. I was able to fine tune the rifle for fit and trigger action before I began the show.
The Impulse will be available in .308 Winchester. 6.5 Creedmoor, .30-06 Springfield and a few others are coming as well. My example is a Hog Hunter with flush fit magazine, 18-inch barrel and ideal weight and balance for my use. While the barrel is relatively short, the rifle proved plenty accurate for most hunting chores. The .308 Winchester is my favorite center fire caliber for hunting so this is my choice.
I had on hand a SIG optics Buckmaster I had been meaning to evaluate for some time. This seemed the right opportunity. A 3-12 x 40 version seemed ideal for the Hog Hunter. This scope is just fine for quite a number of applications. The scope isn’t difficult to mount and the integral mount is quite secure.
I sighted the rifle first at 25 yards and then 100, confirming the usual 1.5-inch high setting at 100 yards to allow a bit of stretch in the aiming point.
The rifle had to be evaluated on two points. First, accuracy, which is everything in a hunting rifle. Fast handling matters as well. The rifle proved more than accurate enough for any reasonable chore.
I also had to evaluate the straight pull action. The action proved fast, very fast. Don’t baby the bolt! Grasp the handle and quickly operate the action moving the bolt sharply to the rear. The spent case is ejected and you slap the bolt home.
The Savage Impulse is a very fast handling rifle. The Hexlock action offers real speed and locks up tight for accuracy. The rifle is accurate and the fast handling action offers a sharp follow up shot. I used Hornady ammunition for accuracy testing. It doesn’t get any better than these premium loads with careful manufacture and well-designed hunting bullets. You may win a match and take game with the same load.
Are there any drawbacks? I don’t see any. When the rifle is set up for left hand fire it still ejects to the right, but I don’t foresee any difficulty with that set up. The rifle is smooth never offering a hard spot or glitch in the action. It isn’t an inexpensive rifle at just about thirteen hundred dollars for most models but then the rifle is high quality. I think the Savage Impulse rifle has a great future.
Savage Impulse Specifications
Type: Straight pull, bolt action
Cartridge: .308 Winchester
Capacity: 4 rds. (.308 Win.)
Barrel: Carbon steel, heavy contour, threaded muzzle (5⁄8-24); 18 in., 1:10-in. RH-twist rifling
OAL: 39.75 in.
Weight: 8 lbs., 6 oz.
Stock: Savage AccuStock;
Trigger: Savage AccuTrigger, adjustable; 3 pounds tested
Sights: 20-MOA integral rail SIG Buckmaster scope fitted
Loads Velocity (100 yards, 3 shot group)
Factory loads
Hornady 155 gr. Critical Defense 2677 fps 1.25 in.
Hornady 150 gr. American Gunner 2690 fps 1.2 in.
Hornady 165 grain A Max fps .9 in.
Handloads
Hornady 150 gr. SST Varget Powder 2800 fps 1.25 in.
Hornady 168 gr. A Max IMR 3031 2601 fps 1.1 in.
