Savage Arms, established in 1894, has produced a long line of quality firearms throughout its storied history. The company has a well-deserved reputation for making field-rugged rifles that perform well. However, they usually aren’t the sexiest looking option on sporting goods shelves. The new Savage Model 110 Elite Precision maintains the company’s reputation for accuracy and unfailing reliability and changes things by wearing the kind of sexy looks that turn heads.

There’s more to this rifle than style, though, because the chassis and stock work in concert to minimize shooter-introduced error. The setup is worth a close look for predator hunters who like to set up shop and stretch the distance.

 

MDT Chassis

It’s the stock that will attract attention initially, and rightfully so. The Savage Model 110 has been around for nearly 60 years. Still, this one wears a Modular Driven Technologies ACC (Adjustable Core Competition) chassis and Skeleton rifle stock. This isn’t your grandfather’s version of the venerable action, which we all know was a game getter even camouflaged in a plain-Jane getup.

The ACC beds the action in an integral V-block. It is machined entirely from aluminum and features titanium nitride coatings, the kind of construction and subsequent treatment guaranteed to survive and thrive in the nastiest conditions. The barrel is fully free-floated.

It’s not a lightweight by any stretch of the imagination, though. The stock and chassis alone weigh 5.9 pounds, and the entire rifle, empty and without an optic, comes in at 12.6 pounds. For shooting from a blind or stationary setup, the weight isn’t a huge concern. Still, it’s less than optimal if mountainous spot-and-stalk hunts are on the agenda.

The ACC system was initially designed for competitive long-distance shooters and features an integral, modular method of adding weight for improved stability and recoil mitigation. An Arca system that runs along the entire length of the forend allows shooters to add steel inserts and bolt-ons for competitive long-distance shooting. Another weight installs into the skeletonized stock at the toe. Fully rigged — with the maximum number of the company’s girth-adding components — the stock and ACC come in at 12.3 pounds. The cartridge-free, optic-free rifle would then total 19 pounds, leaving little reason to renew that gym membership.

Before you completely dismiss the approach, consider another advantage for high-volume shooting. Going with one or two of the weights up front keeps muzzle rise down. Admittedly, neither is a significant factor with the 6.5 Creedmoor, but it does add versatility to the platform. 

Savage doesn’t provide the optional heft, though. The ACC on this rifle is bare bones. If you prefer yours to gain weight like distant relatives after an annual Thanksgiving binge, feel free to order from Modular Driven Technologies. The Arca system on the forend is also M-Lok compatible, which means a bipod or tripod mount can be attached.

The rifle ships with an MDT magazine, which holds ten 6.5 Creedmoor cartridges. In testing, insertions were positive with no hiccups and they always dropped free. To release, a paddle in front of the trigger guard is pushed forward.

 

Skeletonized Stock

The stock’s polymer cheekpiece is height adjustable and changes are fast, effortless and tool-free. Simply loosen the pair of locking nuts on both sides below, rotate the large wheel directly underneath to the preferred setting, then retighten the locking nuts. Everything is large enough to manipulate with gloved hands. A pair of “lockers” ensure things don’t inadvertently move while afield.

To increase the length of pull, the rubber recoil pad moves farther back using an identically designed system. The buttpad can also move up and down, although only one locking nut holds that setting in place.

All the systems run smoothly and effortlessly. Cheekpiece and length-of-pull guide rods clearly provide a number corresponding with each position. Take note of your preferred settings and you can hand the rifle to another shooter with confidence your setup will dial back in with ease.

Yes, the stock’s versatility is designed for competitive long-distance shooters. Keep in mind, however, those cold winter mornings often require a bulky coat, and the rifle may provide the ideal cheek weld at dawn. But, by noon, you’re peeling off layers and suddenly the length of pull is too short. If it’s bad enough, you shift your head to properly view the reticle. The Skeletonized rifle stock provides an eloquent solution that beats accuracy-robbing contortion.

The color on the stock and chassis is MDT’s Tactical Gray and the Cerakote finish is flat and non-reflective. There’s not much sex appeal in color. However, the lines and function provide a hard-to-ignore fatal attraction for enthusiasts.

 

MDT Vertical Grip

Not everyone likes a pistol grip, and the list of naysayers isn’t exclusive to traditionalists. Its shape can make proper trigger finger placement a real challenge. Hands come in various shapes and sizes, after all, and sometimes a grip’s angle can be fatiguing.

The 110 Elite Precision comes with an MDT vertical grip that addresses the problem in relative simplicity. Loosen the three bolts that attach the textured polymer grip, adjust position (fore and aft) and angle, then retighten. It’s a slick setup, one bound to please even the loudest critics.

 

Model 110 Action

Let’s face facts: Time has endorsed the Savage 110 action as one of the most reliable and trustworthy ever made. It is North America’s oldest continuously made bolt-action rifle. The push-feed action features a three-position safety on the tang of the receiver. The location makes it ideal for both left- and right-handed shooters. The test rifle was set up for the latter, although a southpaw-friendly version is also available for the same price. 

The bolt is a striking gold, the only color on the entire gun. It’s an unusual look, one that boldly states, “Savage,” even from a distance. If there’s one complaint about this rifle, it’s here. The bolt handle is not oversized or textured at all. That’s minor but worth noting if your hunts are typically below zero and ice-covered.

Atop the receiver is a 6.625-inch long, 20 MOA Picatinny rail for optic mounting. It’s anchored solidly with four Allen-headed bolts. 

 

AccuTrigger

Volumes have been written about the AccuTrigger since Savage introduced it in 2002. Each I’ve tested, including this one, was grime-, creep- and grit-free, with a clean break and allows owners to adjust let-off weight from 1.5 to 4 pounds without a gunsmith. The tested rifle’s figure came in at the lower end of that spectrum and was a downright pleasure to work.

 

Performance

During range sessions on a 90-degree day with 63 percent humidity and 6 mph breeze, the Savage 110 Elite Precision performed exceptionally well. There were no failures to feed and extraction and ejection were flawless. With today’s quality control and CNC tolerances, that’s pretty much expected, though.

The 26-inch stainless barrel is rifled at a rate of one twist for every 8.5 inches. Groups with Winchester 125-grain open tip and Remington 140-grain Core-Lokt ammo printed virtually identical on target. The action’s factory blueprinting showed right out of the box. At 100 yards, five-shot groups were averaging 0.81 inches, with three shots regularly touching. The best pair of groups hovered just above 0.6 inches. With Hornady 140-boatail hollowpoints, the average came in at 0.93 inches.

The rifle certainly isn’t picky about what it’s fed. As for perceived recoil, it was more like shooting a .223 Rem. My 12-year-old grandson got behind the gun and never complained about it at all. It’s not uncommon for him to do so when round count starts climbing and he wasn’t shy about running through ammo.

The gun’s weight helps, but there’s no denying the effectiveness of the muzzle brake. It works well, but you don’t want to be the person sitting at an adjacent bench at the range — or grandfather closely watching technique — because it’s loud.

 

Overall

With the right load, practice and break-in time — the rifle was brand new after all — there’s no doubt a skilled shooter will experience even better groups with the Savage Model 110 Elite Precision. When needed, it will connect at long distance and get the job done on any of the animals we pursue, cleanly and effectively.

The biggest drawback is the weight. It’s not ideal for carrying all day across rough terrain. If you hunt from a blind routinely or spend a long time calling from a hide, this rifle is definitely worthy of consideration. If you’re looking for a smaller chambering, you can also go with .223 Rem. or 6mm Creedmoor.