Savage M110 Ultralite Elite Tested and Reviewed

Few rifle corporations, maybe none, current such a big selection of manufacturing unit mannequin variations as Savage and their mannequin 110. The mannequin 110 was first launched in 1956 and stands because the longest-running bolt-action rifle that’s been repeatedly produced with out main modification. Shooters have lengthy prized the M110 for its accuracy and worth, and whereas the brand new M110 Ultralite Elite is pricier than earlier iterations, it’s additionally way more superior. The M110 Ultralite Elite incorporates a cutting-edge chassis, barrel, and lightened motion — aiming to seat it among the many most succesful mountain looking rifles.

Savage M110 Ultralite Elite Specs

• Motion: Two-lug, Mannequin 110, 
• Inventory: MDT HNT 26
• Cartridge: 6.5 Creedmoor (examined)
• Capability: 3+1
• Weight: 5 kilos, 13 ounces (measured)
• Set off: Accutrigger, adjustable, 2 kilos 10 ounces (measured)
• Barrel: Proof Analysis, 18 inches; 1:8 twist, threaded 5/8-24
• Size: 37.75 inches at writer’s size of pull  (27.75 inches folded)
• Worth: $3,200

Key Options

• Magnesium/carbon fiber HNT26 chassis
• Folding inventory adjustable for comb top and size of pull
• Proof Analysis carbon-fiber barrel
• Fluted bolt and lightened M110 motion
• Integral ARCA rail

Evaluation Highlights

• Very light-weight, packable, and adjustable
• Properly-suited for quite a lot of taking pictures assist platforms (i.e. bipods, tripods, bags, etc.)
• Glorious Accuracy
• Cocking the stiff M110 motion is distracting on this platform

Savage M110 Ultralite Elite Accuracy

This light-weight rig delivered glorious accuracy — glorious accuracy for any looking rifle. The truth that it weighs in at lower than six kilos makes it’s accuracy much more spectacular. To gauge the accuracy of the Savage M110 Ultralite Elite in probably the most virtually relevant manner doable, I recorded 21 five-shot teams with six kinds of ammo. Moreover, I recorded seven three-shot teams every, with two of these kinds of ammo. All taking pictures was performed susceptible off a bipod with a rear support bag.

Throughout all ammunition, the rifle averaged .534-inch three-shot and .812-inch five-shot group sizes. Does that imply it’s a half-inch gun? No, nevertheless it’s extremely correct for a light-weight packable mountain rifle. As we’ve been detailing in lots of latest articles, three- and five-shot teams merely don’t give us sufficient information to adequately assess the true dispersion of the rifle system. Consider your shot distribution as a cone. Each bullet you fireplace will keep inside that cone, however five-shot teams — and even common sizes of many five-shot teams — don’t present sufficient info to foretell the vary by which your pictures will land. 

We current five-shot accuracy information as a result of that’s the language us shooters typically communicate. However, as detailed in this story by taking pictures editor John B. Snow, we use these three- and five-shot teams to kind a 20-shot mixture group. This offers us a a lot much less fragmented image of the rifle system’s accuracy. This Savage M110 Ultralite Elite carried out impressively, with 20-shot group sizes ranging between 1.00 and 1.86 inches. A light-weight looking rifle that may print an mixture of 20 pictures in a sub-inch group is a uncommon duck, and one that may constantly hold 20-shot teams below 1.5 inches is rattling exact. With 20 pictures, we even have a sound mean radius, which is a greater predictive software than group dimension, and takes each shot into consideration. For comparability, if we’d had this rifle for our check of the most effective rifles of 2024, it might rank among the many prime 5 for accuracy.

Right here’s a have a look at the complete accuracy outcomes, listed by smallest-to-largest imply radius per 20-shot group:

Breaking Down the Savage M110 Ultralite Elite 

The center of the M110 Ultralite Elite is, in fact, the enduring mannequin 110 motion. Nonetheless, it sports activities some upgrades that had been first launched on the 110 Ultralite again in 2020. The motion is lightened with the radius lower off at 10- and 2-o’clock, and a few inletting work on the left aspect of the receiver. The unique Ultralite model had materials faraway from the correct rear of the motion as nicely, however the 110 Ultralite Elite has a sheet-metal bolt launch lever in that location.  

Just like the 110 Ultralite, the Elite model has a blueprinted or “trued motion,” guaranteeing that surfaces between the receiver and barrel are flat and the system is lined up completely straight and concentric with the bore. The bolt contains a diamond-pattern fluting and Cerakote end, and makes use of a sliding-claw extractor and dual-plunger ejectors — even within the 6.5 CM mannequin I examined. The bolt deal with is capped with a spherical carbon-fiber knob. The knob offers the shooter some further leverage and buy, however the motion remains to be distractingly tough to cock — a lot in order that you should brace the rifle to maintain it from transferring when operating the motion. This isn’t a deadly flaw, nevertheless it’s a typical M110 attribute for the scrupulous buyer to contemplate.

Proof Analysis Carbon-Fiber Barrel

Proof analysis is dominant within the carbon-wrapped barrel market, and like many savage 110 fashions, the Ultralite Elite takes benefit of that. The mannequin is accessible in 6.5 CM, 6.5 PRC, .308 Win., 7mm PRC, .300 WSM, and .300 Win. Magazine, in barrel lengths of both 18 or 20 inches, although a 22-inch model in 6.5 CM is obtainable. Barrels are threaded ⅝-24 and, at these shorter lengths, are excellent for capping along with your favourite light-weight suppressor. I topped this one with a Diligent Defense Enticer STI, a titanium suppressor that weighs about 9 ounces. This combo has been exceptionally correct in different Savages as nicely.

MDT HNT26 Chassis

 Probably the most outstanding of the trio of options that defines the M110 Ultralite Elite is the MDT HNT26 chassis. The HNT26 has change into fashionable amongst mountain hunters and a few NRL rivals lately — and for good purpose. When paired with the Savage motion and Proof barrel, it’s light-weight at just below six kilos and contains a rigidly locking folding inventory that’s adjustable for each size of pull and comb top. The carbon fiber comb is padded and secured by two set screws, and polymer shims are simply added behind the buttpad to regulate size. 

The physique of the chassis is magnesium, and it accepts AICS-pattern magazines. The rifle comes with a flush-fitting 3-round magazine, however I used 10-round competitors magazines with out challenge too. The forend is a carbon-fiber tube with M-Lok rails on the edges and even ahead of the scope — for shooters who would possibly wish to mount a clip-on thermal or night vision machine. The underside of the forend options an integral Swiss ARCA rail that may clip right into a tripod or be used to mount a competition bipod. The underside of the forend additionally options M-Lok slots and comes with a sling swivel stud put in — although you’ll most likely wish to simply take away these and use the integral QD cups. It’s a intelligent and versatile system.

The M110 Ultralite Elite Wasn’t Love At First Sight

I actually didn’t look after the HNT26 chassis at first. I’d beforehand frolicked taking pictures two different rifles in the identical chassis and I didn’t really feel that both actually shot in addition to they need to have. A truth which will have biased me in opposition to the HNT26 is that some shooters appear to have accuracy points which are fortunately addressed by a small bedding equipment supplied by Soldier Mountain Arms. Once I fitted this one with an Atlas bipod and began taking pictures susceptible, it was neither snug or steady. The system felt very hole and bouncy. The one mechanical challenge I skilled with the rifle was that the motion, optic base, and forend screws all grew to become free and wanted retorquing after taking pictures about 100 rounds. 

Nonetheless, the chassis did start to sway me.  It shot precisely, and after I switched to an MDT CKYE-pod, the steadiness was tremendously improved. The platform felt even higher in positional taking pictures from luggage or when clamped into an ARCA tripod. Utilizing a Maven RS 1.2 2.5-15×44 scope, I used to be capable of make constant hits on metal out to 825 yards — even from a standing place — with Winchester 140-grain Match ammo. 

The motion and chassis combo labored nicely with the included 3-round journal, but additionally with an extended 10-round journal. This may make it a probably interesting manufacturing unit NRL Hunter rifle that would genuinely pull double-duty as a light-weight alpine backpack gun. The folding inventory has the rigidity of a precision rifle, and the lock mechanism is simple to govern. The inventory folds away from the ejection port and locks into place. In comparison with chassis just like the XLR, I discover it to have higher ergonomics and be extra compact and simpler to stow. 

Is the M100 Ultralite Elite a Truthful Worth?

Promoting for round $3,200, this can be a premium-priced rifle. Its expense falls in need of rifles just like the Seekins Havak Slam, however is greater than another rifles in its class just like the Springfield 2020 Redline. To evaluate this gun, we have to think about what it’s, what the competitors is providing, and the place we particularly place our worth. 

Primarily, we have now a barely upgraded M110 motion, Proof barrel, and the MDT Chassis. It’s a contemporary however pedestrian meeting that just about any savvy shooter might recreate. The barrel will price you round $1,100, and the chassis will run about $1,400. That leaves about $700 for the motion, and I feel that regardless of its accuracy, the motion is the weakest level of this method. Don’t get me fallacious, I’m a fan of the M110. It’s a confirmed motion that’s completely appropriate however they’re undeniably tough to run. Contemplating {that a} potential buyer might buy and improve a rifle like a Sig Cross or purchase a smoother Tikka action and the identical elements for a similar value or cheaper, the Savage will not be a screaming deal. 

It’s a very good rifle, however it’s going to have some competitors amongst shooters who’ve entry to all the identical elements and may do the maths. The M110 and Proof barrel pairing is undeniably correct and out-shot the costlier Seekins Slam and that’s bought to be a part of the worth consideration too.  

Savage M110 Ultralite Elite Execs and Cons

Listed here are a number of of the most important issues to contemplate when wanting on the Savage M110 Ultralite Elite:

Execs

• Nice versatility
• Straightforward to pack and stow
• Excels in positional taking pictures
• Very correct

Cons

• M110 Motion is stiff and clunky
• Worth is a little bit excessive contemplating different choices for a similar chassis and barrel

Remaining Ideas on the Savage M110 Ultralite Elite

I didn’t suppose I would really like this rifle as a lot as I do, however the accuracy and practical-shooting ergonomics of the HNT26 have slowly swayed me. The chassis is thoughtfully designed and adaptable for a lot of completely different taking pictures positions and {hardware}. I simply wanted to offer it an opportunity. For a premium-priced rifle like this, I wish to see Savage design a smoother motion. Nonetheless, credit score the place credit score is due, I had no main issues with the motion and it delivered accuracy that I might by no means have anticipated from lots of the sheep rifles I’ve carried into the mountains over time. Should you’re already a fan of the M110, this rifle received’t disappoint.