Savage Impulse Elite Precision

[AbitNutz]

So according to ShotShow or Shot Show 2020 , Savage is making their straight-pull Impulse action with a 30" barrel, AICS magazine in an MDT ACC chassis. The available calibers will be 6mm Creedmoor, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC 308, 300 Win Mag, 300 PRC, and...338 Lapua.

I have their Impulse Predator in 6.5 Creedmoor with AICS magazines and I have verified that you can interchange barrels between the Impulse straight pull and the 110, providing they have the same shank size. The small shank is 300 Win Mag and down and the large shank is 300 WSM body size and up. I don't know what the 338 Lapua would be.

The MSRP is $2,619, which means it's likely going to be about $1,900 or so if it plays as the 110 Elite Precisions did.

I like the straight-pull action. It does take some practice to work it quickly as it is a very different motion. I also happen to have a brilliant Bartlein barrel with a Savage large shank.

What do you guys think? If it actually stays at $2,700 it's dead but at $1,800-1,900, where I picked mine up, it might go.

 

[BigBabyMoses06]

Looks like in all the videos of the Impulse that I have watched, that Savage still suffers from heavy bolt lift. Otherwise, they look sweet.

 

[HousePlant]

On my Savage 12FV's action, I installed a bolt lift kit and tactical bolt knob and that resulted in a much lighter bolt lift. The rifle is no longer disturbed when on a bi-pod. It's certainly not custom action-like but it's now better than any Tikka I have for bolt lift. That said, the action binds for no fucking reason all the fucking time especially because I now have a longer, heavier bolt knob and it drives me fucking nuts.

Just watch this video. He basically is having to yank around the rifle to operate the action... right off target in a PRS shooting situation.

 

[BigBabyMoses06]

You are 100% correct. Looks like the bolt pull is like 20lbs lmao.

I switched from Savage to Tikka because no matter what I did, I could not get the bolt lift to something that made me happy. I tried knobs, lift kits, etc. Haven't looked back, but always intrigued. Would love to pick up some cheaper actions to play with still.

 

[Steel head]

On my Savage 12FV's action, I installed a bolt lift kit and tactical bolt knob and that resulted in a much lighter bolt lift. The rifle is no longer disturbed when on a bi-pod. It's certainly not custom action-like but it's now better than any Tikka I have for bolt lift. That said, the action binds for no fucking reason all the fucking time especially because I now have a longer, heavier bolt knob and it drives me fucking nuts.

Just watch this video. He basically is having to yank around the rifle to operate the action... right off target in a PRS shooting situation.

I’ll prone up with my buddy’s heym sr30 and see how it does.
It’s definitely easier than that savage and there’s a few videos of people having to yank on the new savage like a 14 year old who just found pornhub

The heym has a pretty hefty amount of force required to unlock it but it’s still incredibly fast.
Really better suited to hunting than barricade bench rest.

 

[HousePlant]

I’ll prone up with my buddy’s heym sr30 and see how it does.
It’s definitely easier than that savage and there’s a few videos of people having to yank on the new savage like a 14 who just found pornhub

The heym has a pretty hefty amount of force required to unlock it but it’s still incredibly fast.
Really better suited to hunting than barricade bench rest.

Yeah but, when hunting, has a regular bolt action ever precluded you from making a second shot? If they made it with like a American Rifle Company style articulating bolt handle that completely removes all the pull back resistance… money. I’ll have to try one.

 

[Steel head]

Yeah but, when hunting, has a regular bolt action ever precluded you from making a second shot? If they made it with like a American Rifle Company style articulating bolt handle that completely removes all the pull back resistance… money. I’ll have to try one.

No but if a critter wants to flatten me or has five figure tag fee’s that bit extra speed and ease of manipulation will surely be welcomed.

 

[2aBaC̶a̶]

I think its the natural evolution and its only a matter of time before somone does it right and they will be the next Q-Fix of the industry.

 

[Dead Eye Dick]

MSRP of anything over $2500, it is not going to fly. Say what you will about the PRS production class, but the PRS rule has sold a lot of rifles at that price point. Now the difference between competing in PRS Production or PRS Open is basically a non-issue, its all the same until they hand out the trophies, But, a lot of fellows are going to look at this and say no. (because they can’t shoot “production” no matter what the actual selling price is at the local dealer)

 

[RFutch]

I cannot think of a worse way to spend $2000.

 

[wade2big]

You are 100% correct. Looks like the bolt pull is like 20lbs lmao.

I switched from Savage to Tikka because no matter what I did, I could not get the bolt lift to something that made me happy. I tried knobs, lift kits, etc. Haven't looked back, but always intrigued. Would love to pick up some cheaper actions to play with still.

I watched the video and it looks fairly easy to me when he is shooting. I’m just not down with anything Savage. Maybe something will come along to change my mind.

 

[st1650]

My wallet is safe for now ....

I’ll wait for the second Gen.

 

[Skunkworx]

Do these straight pull actions have any thing to aid with primary extraction?

 

[st1650]

maybe we can convince Ted, the mad scientist at ARC to combine a Archimedes extraction with a straight pull action. Now that I would buy

 

[Skunkworx]

maybe we can convince Ted, the mad scientist at ARC to combine a Archimedes extraction with a straight pull action. Now that I would buy

I’m surprised he hasn’t teased a rimfire action yet

 

[AbitNutz]

I'll buy one if I can get it at around what I got my turn-bolt Elite Precision 300 PRC at, $1800 to $1,900. I'm a fan of the straight-pull but everyone who says that the initial unlock tug is heavy is right. It is something you have to accept or move on. I'm OK with it because the rifle is at my shoulder so pulling a heavy PRS rifle back against it doesn't matter.
Having said all that, the straight-pull Impulse is just stupid accurate, and once you have the motion down, ridiculously fast. What it is more than anything else is, just different.

 

[Rockdoc173]

So according to ShotShow or Shot Show 2020 , Savage is making their straight-pull Impulse action with a 30" barrel, AICS magazine in an MDT ACC chassis. The available calibers will be 6mm Creedmoor, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC 308, 300 Win Mag, 300 PRC, and...338 Lapua.

I have their Impulse Predator in 6.5 Creedmoor with AICS magazines and I have verified that you can interchange barrels between the Impulse straight pull and the 110, providing they have the same shank size. The small shank is 300 Win Mag and down and the large shank is 300 WSM body size and up. I don't know what the 338 Lapua would be.

The MSRP is $2,619, which means it's likely going to be about $1,900 or so if it plays as the 110 Elite Precisions did.

I like the straight-pull action. It does take some practice to work it quickly as it is a very different motion. I also happen to have a brilliant Bartlein barrel with a Savage large shank.

What do you guys think? If it actually stays at $2,700 it's dead but at $1,800-1,900, where I picked mine up, it might go.

Not having put hands-on I don't know how I like it, meaning how it feels to me. Well...and the whole lefty thing. But I like seeing mfgs make something different, something that's unique. I mean, every BA rifle out there is e x a c t l y the same, some with more features, some with fewer, but they operate they same. It's the same with the Archimedes, it's innovative in a market that doesn't innovate and I friggin love it. I hope this works for Savage

 

[HousePlant]

No but if a critter wants to flatten me or has five figure tag fee’s that bit extra speed and ease of manipulation will surely be welcomed.

Fair enough.

 

[KYAggie]

At least the force to extract is I enacted straight back instead of rotational like a standard bolt gun. That may negate the fact it’s more force than a custom action; maybe…….remains to be seen and I suspect will be judged differently by each and every person.

 

[HousePlant]

The force being straight back is a good point. I'll hold off until I see one at a PRS match and the guy or gal lets me try it.

And ideally Savage does a better blueing job on the barrels the include with these because my Savage rifle barrels have all began to rust DURING an outing in humid or wet environments. My Savage 12FVs stock barrel began rusting midway through a PRS match at K&M Shooting Complex.

And I rub the silicone cloth over my rifles all the time...

 

[HousePlant]

New Beretta hunting rifle

Why do I ant one?

www.snipershide.com

Check this threat out. The Beretta doesn't seem to have any pullback weight...

 

[308pirate]

On my Savage 12FV's action, I installed a bolt lift kit and tactical bolt knob and that resulted in a much lighter bolt lift. The rifle is no longer disturbed when on a bi-pod. It's certainly not custom action-like but it's now better than any Tikka I have for bolt lift. That said, the action binds for no fucking reason all the fucking time especially because I now have a longer, heavier bolt knob and it drives me fucking nuts.

Just watch this video. He basically is having to yank around the rifle to operate the action... right off target in a PRS shooting situation.

If you go to the 3:20 mark it looks like all the jerkiness goes away.

I found what is a likely explanation for the hitch that you saw at the beginning

One thing to note, Almost every person that has tried to cycle the bolt for the first time forgets that it's straight pull and try to lift up on the bolt while pulling it, causing it to bind.
They have no issues once they get used to just pulling it straight back.

Savage Impulse

Just saw this. Looks pretty interesting.

www.snipershide.com

 

[HousePlant]

If you go to the 3:20 mark it looks like all the jerkiness goes away.

I found what is a likely explanation for the hitch that you saw at the beginning

Savage Impulse

Just saw this. Looks pretty interesting.

www.snipershide.com

Other reviewers are saying it's a heavy pull.

 

[308pirate]

Other reviewers are saying it's a heavy pull.

Who? Are they making the same mistake?

 

[HousePlant]

Who? Are they making the same mistake?

Could be! Was just watching Shot Show videos and inside of those a few said it was a heavy pull. One of them was the guy from Backfire YouTube channel. I'll try it myself and decide. I have shot a Blaser ONCE and thought it was more of a novelty. I just like the normal bolt action... action.

 

[FjallJager]

I’ll prone up with my buddy’s heym sr30 and see how it does.
It’s definitely easier than that savage and there’s a few videos of people having to yank on the new savage like a 14 year old who just found pornhub

The heym has a pretty hefty amount of force required to unlock it but it’s still incredibly fast.
Really better suited to hunting than barricade bench rest.

If porn hub would have existed when I was 14, I'd have been blind!

Can you imagine wrapping your 14 year old mind around the kind of depths of humanity that are on pornhub?

 

[FjallJager]

My impulse is on it's way back from Savage. Can't remember the exact math, but 80% of the rounds I tried to fire out of it wouldn't fire. They all fired in a Zermat Tl3 afterward.

So.....if I am stuck with it I'll probably hunt with it. Because it is lighter than my Blaser.

 

[Steel head]

My impulse is on it's way back from Savage. Can't remember the exact math, but 80% of the rounds I tried to fire out of it wouldn't fire. They all fired in a Zermat Tl3 afterward.

So.....if I am stuck with it I'll probably hunt with it. Because it is lighter than my Blaser.

What’s the force needed to unlock/operate the bolt on that
Some recent videos made it seem excessive

 

[b6graham]

My impulse is on it's way back from Savage. Can't remember the exact math, but 80% of the rounds I tried to fire out of it wouldn't fire. They all fired in a Zermat Tl3 afterward.

So.....if I am stuck with it I'll probably hunt with it. Because it is lighter than my Blaser.

you'd be the first person in history to replace a Blaser with a Savage

 

[FjallJager]

It isn't that bad, but prone it's probably less than Ideal.

A Blaser R8 is similar, I have one of those.

Blaser R8 and Heym Sr30 are also kind of going to pull you off target unless you are shooting it standing.

I have owned several Swiss K-31's, the Savage is not that smooth.

The only straight pull I know that acts like it is on rails is the Merkel Helix.

 

[FjallJager]

you'd be the first person in history to replace a Blaser with a Savage

Maybe!

Not replacing it, just picking it for a mountain hunt over the Blaser. A freaking r8 ends up over 10 pounds with a 30mm scope and mounts. All mine are almost 12 with a 34mm scope and mounts.

 

[b6graham]

I bought a Volquartson straight pull 10/22. It was a cool novelty thing and ai thought it would be a cool suppressor host/ small game rimfire. It was kind of cool but that was it. More of a novelty. It didn't really do anything better but it was more complex. And I think that's the general trend of all these straight pull guns. It's an idea that seems to have potential that is never really realized with the exception of a few niche scenarios. And mainly in Europe.

It's like the guys that argue that short throw bolt actions are faster than two lug 90* actions. Missing the fact that managing wobble zone and stability in position saves far more time than the .7 second time advantage of 60* vs 90* of bolt handle throw.

Straight pull definitely seems to be artificial novelty required to keep competing in a saturated market.

novelty or not savage has sold a STUPID amount of the impulse rifles to date

 

[FjallJager]

If you do not participate in driven hunts, it is kind of a lost feature.

I lived in Germany for 3 years and did a number of driven hunts, also shot at the schutzenkino (indoor television shooting range) quite a bit.

The rifle is interesting, but now that I am back in America (probably perminantly) I don't see much advantage. I wish I would have just bought something else.

Hookers and blow seems like it would have been a wiser investment right now.

 

[FjallJager]

Because semi-autos are not legal in much of Europe for hunting. Or heavily restricted.

In Germany you can only have 2 rounds in a semi-auto during a hunt. Making it a BANG, BANG, oh shit I have to fight this magazine.

Take a look at this guy's Sauer 404 with a big magazine.

 

[HousePlant]

Can you imagine wrapping your 14 year old mind around the kind of depths of humanity that are on pornhub?

Look... I'm having a hard time wrapping my mind around the fact that these dudes could pipe my house with their manhood and all I got is what women tend to call "the perfect size".

 

[FjallJager]

That was my point. Niche application. A European work around for a semi.

I can only speak for Germany, even if they can hunt with a semi-auto gun a social norm is in place to ensure they all dress a certain way and shoot similar rifles.

Slug guns are legal in Germany, but taking a slug gun to a drive hunt is frowned upon.

This is the Saint Hubertus day drive hunt I went on in 2018. There were about 80 hunters of German, Swiss, Luxembourgish and Dutch citizenship. They (I didn't fire a shot) killed about 80 head of game each day.

I never had a safe shot, I could have paid the trophy fee on a dog or one of the beaters on my only opportunities.

You can see from the photos. Beaters are wearing full orange, and everyone in the stands has an orange jacket and hat.

The remainder of the game is already in the cooler truck.

 

[FjallJager]

That was my point. Niche application. A European work around for a semi.

I can only speak for Germany, even if they can hunt with a semi-auto gun a social norm is in place to ensure they all dress a certain way and shoot similar rifles.

Slug guns are legal in Germany, but taking a slug gun to a drive hunt is frowned upon.

This is the Saint Hubertus day drive hunt I went on in 2018. There were about 80 hunters of German, Swiss, Luxembourgish and Dutch citizenship. They (I didn't fire a shot) killed about 80 head of game each day.

I never had a safe shot, I could have paid the trophy fee on a dog or one of the beaters on my only opportunities.

You can see from the photos. Beaters are wearing full orange, and everyone in the stands has an orange jacket and hat.

The remainder of the game is already in the cooler truck.

 

[FjallJager]

This is when they do the horns and display of game. It is called the strecke.

 

[carbonbased]

Germany is weird, man lol. I mean, USA is weird, but damn.

 

[TexT-Rex]

I lived in the land of Herman the German for three years. Those that haven't experienced German culture don't get their strict adherence to traditions and norms. It borders religious zealotry. They are good folk for the most part, but I don't miss living there versus here in the USA.

 

[AbitNutz]

At least in Germany, you have rights. I lived in Switzerland for a good part of my youth in the Lucerne Canton. It's a different place that's for sure. It's a police state but with wealthy people. I recall they have the highest recorded fine ever for speeding. It was for something like a million bucks, really it was a million dollars. They base fines there on your ability to pay so when some super rich Swedish guy blew through at close to 200 mph, the government blew through his wallet.
It's not unusual to see cops with submachine guns, not just sidearms. They can arrest and detain you for anything they choose. Give them cause or don't give them cause, it doesn't matter, and you end up spending the night as a guest of the state. Ask me how I know.

 

[C-130 Dude]

On my Savage 12FV's action, I installed a bolt lift kit and tactical bolt knob and that resulted in a much lighter bolt lift. The rifle is no longer disturbed when on a bi-pod. It's certainly not custom action-like but it's now better than any Tikka I have for bolt lift. That said, the action binds for no fucking reason all the fucking time especially because I now have a longer, heavier bolt knob and it drives me fucking nuts.

Just watch this video. He basically is having to yank around the rifle to operate the action... right off target in a PRS shooting situation.

This yanking the gun around issue just persuaded me to seek a new gun elsewhere. Too bad, it looked like a player.

 

[Remington 1903a3]

Gentlemen, I am new to the forum. I Purchased one of the savage elite rifles Inthe 338 Lapua magnum last year. I’m not an expert by any means, but the military did provide me with some, when I call, shooting skills. I Have been reading over all of your posts and find it very interesting and gained a lot of knowledge from your insights. i am looking for a good muzzle brake for that rifle. Does anyone have any web sites or have the same rifle that I could get one from…

 

[b6graham]

Area419 Sidewinder is a great 338 choice

 

[308pirate]

Germany is weird, man lol. I mean, USA is weird, but damn.

Guess you haven't been to Japan..........

I've been to Germany once (Berlin). Didn't seem weird to me, at least no more so than any big city here.

 

[Remington 1903a3]

I was researching that one a little bit from some of the earlier posts on the site. Everyone seemed to think it was a very good break.

 

[carbonbased]

Guess you haven't been to Japan..........

I've been to Germany once (Berlin). Didn't seem weird to me, at least no more so than any big city here.

I mean with their cultural rituals, their obsessions etc. Ever see an older proper German toilet? They crap on a “shelf” so they can inspect the turd, and the water pressures blows it off after ze inspection is done.

Although some dispute that this design is for inspection.

And yeah, never been to Japan, but the anime/hentai/manga/whatever the hell they call it that I’ve seen indicates there is some serious weirdness underfoot!

 

[JDLawrence3]

Area419 Sidewinder is a great 338 choice

This is what I have on my Savage 338 and it helped recoil tremendously.

 

[calling4life]

Because semi-autos are not legal in much of Europe for hunting. Or heavily restricted.

In Germany you can only have 2 rounds in a semi-auto during a hunt. Making it a BANG, BANG, oh shit I have to fight this magazine.

Take a look at this guy's Sauer 404 with a big magazine.

Did anyone else watch this? I run my computer through my home audio/visual receiver and my "TV" for this is a projector with a 120" screen about 8' away from me.

That was a good watch, though that kids rifle didn't seem to be a straight pull to me, but he runs his bolt gun how I always have, and that is to say, he cycles the bolt with the rifle still mounted on the shoulder.
There was a recent thread on the Africa Forum where the guy shoots and teaches people to dismount the bolt gun and cycle it down by the waist, don't understand this if you're not disabled or don't have a specific reason to do so.

Anyways, watching that kid hammer balls out running hogs while cycling through his bolt at record speeds was neat, and at the end it noted he was doing so while also dealing with pneumonia...

He also runs a monster bolt knob which is something I bought for and run on my 458 lott, I bought the one made by Hornady, called the Hornady bolt ball, I think, big rubber ball you slide over your bolt knob, and whilst not super pretty, I absolutely love the thing, makes fast cycling so much more efficient.

Good shit, I'd still run a double rifle if I could afford one though, that was a fun watch.

 

[ScubaCat716]

I looked at one of the Impulse "varmit" rifles in 308 at Cabelas. It was not as bad as many here are making it out. After the first couple of pulls where you get used to the movement and force needed, it becomes very intuitive and easy. They let me finger bang it for about 10 min without any hassle and I got to where I could rack that sucker FAST. Even the counter guys were initially like "yeah, it's kinda awkward." at first but watching me mess with it commented on how they now saw how fast and smooth it could be....because they didn't take the time to mess with it beyond a couple of "yanks" when it first came in. I almost bought it even.... UNTIL, one of the counter guys chimed in, "hey if you like that, we have an old Swedish straight-pull you may like..."

Ended up with a 2nd year, all numbers matching K31 with muzzle cap and sling in 95% for $650 OTD.