Through his paring, Bordecki met the Lightweight Hunter design goals of a 5½-pound short-action (Model 11) and a 6-pound long-action (Model 111), yet sacrificed nothing in terms of aesthetics. In fact, it’s downright pleasing to the eye. But Savage also kept the end cost low with a suggested retail price of $875. How does the series compare price- and weight-wise to similiar bolt-action rifles?

Browning has two “lightweight” versions: the A-Bolt Micro Hunter and the Mountain Ti. Depending on chambering (.22 Hornet to .325 WSM), the wood-stocked, short-action Micro Hunter weighs either 6 pounds, 4 ounces or 6 pounds, 6 ounces, and costs from $739 to $870 (.22 Hornet). The Mountain Ti, also a short-action but featuring a synthetic stock, retails for $2,070 to $2,100 (WSM chamberings) and weighs 5 pounds, 6 ounces to 5 pounds, 12 ounces (WSMs). Sturm, Ruger & Co. has the 16½-inch-barreled, wood-stock Hawkeye Compact-series, which ranges in weight from 5 pounds, 12 ounces (7.62x39 mm, .308 Win.) to 6 pounds, 4 ounces (.223 Rem.), and in .243 Win., 6.8 SPC and 7 mm-08 Rem., the weight is 6 pounds. They are priced at $843. Kimber has three “lightweight” contenders: the 84M Montana, 84M Classic and 84 L. Weighing only 5 pounds, 6 ounces, the Kevlar-carbon-fiber-stocked, short-action 84M Montana is the company’s lightest offering, though it retails for $1,312. The long-action variant increases the weight by 4 ounces. The slightly heavier wood-stocked 84M Classic is 5 pounds, 13 ounces, and at $1,172, costs a bit less. Add 5 ounces for the long-action variant.

From custom gunmaker New Ultra Light Arms’ (NULA), the intermediate-length action (.308 Win. class) M20, designated “Ultimate Mountain Rifle,” weighs a mere 5 pounds but costs $3,000. The long-action M24 “Ultimate Plains Rifle,” available in the .30-’06 Sprg. range of cartridges, weighs 5 pounds, 12 ounces but cost increases to $3,100. H.S. Precision’s PHL is 5 pounds, 12 ounces, but it retails for $3,175. The aforementioned rifles provide only a glimpse into current “lightweight” offerings; however, it affords a means for comparison. To me, given their features and price, the Lightweight Hunter-series rifles stack-up nicely to the competition.

Savage offers the Model 11 Lightweight Hunter in .223 Rem., .243 Win., .260 Rem., 6.5 Creedmoor, 7 mm-08 Rem., and .308 Win., while the long-action Model 111 is available in 6.5 mm x .284 Norma, .270 Win. and .30-’06 Sprg.

Why 6.5 Creedmoor? “Obviously, in a 5½–pound rifle, recoil becomes an issue,” said Dermody. “At the same time, if it is going to be used in western mountains, it’s very likely that it will be shot at long range as well. What to do? The 6.5 Creedmoor actually recoils like a .243 Win. and has the long-range trajectory of a .300 Win. Mag. We didn’t have to think to hard about that one. We like cake. We like to eat it, too.”

Testing
Mid-summer I had the chance to evaluate a .243 Win.-chambered Model 11 Lightweight Hunter while hunting with SOE Hunts outside of Sonora, Texas. During the sight-in and familiarization process, the rifle—combined with Winchester’s 100-grain Power-Max Bonded ammunition—proved remarkably accurate, as sub-m.o.a. groups, and some substantially smaller, were common. The rifle’s fine accuracy was untested in the field, though, as a mature axis buck failed to appear before I had to hand over the rifle to another outdoor writer. As a result, field-testing took the form of “carry a lot and shoot … well … none.” Still, the experience enabled me to evaluate the Lightweight Hunter’s “lightness.” Even when topped with a Bushnell 3-10X 40 mm Elite-series scope, and with a Shooter’s Ridge bipod and a sling attached, the rifle was a welcome reprieve from similarly equipped, standard-weight models. It was a joy to carry.

At the range, the 6.5 Creedmoor-chambered Lightweight Hunter, with a Bushnell Elite 3-9X 40 mm scope, proved as accurate, if not more so, than the .243 Win. used on the Texas hunt. But, know that the same abbreviated, “ultra-light” contour barrel that makes it a pleasure to tote also negatively affects accuracy to an extent. Almost without exception three shots were close, often linear, and invariably the remaining two produced “stringing.” Group size could have been reduced if the barrel were given time to cool between shots; however, I chose not to in keeping with its design purpose—hunting—wherein extra time between follow-up shots is seldom afforded.

Of the three loads tested, all of which were Hornady since it’s the sole manufacturer of 6.5 Creedmoor ammunition, the standout was the 140-grain A-Max match load, averaging 1.04 inches for five consecutive, five-shot groups at 100 yards. Not far behind, though, was the 120-grain GMX, which averaged 1.19 inches.

With conventional loads one can expect velocity loss due to the short barrel, especially in the long-action chamberings. By using ammunition with progressive propellants, such as Hornady Superformance, the loss will be minimized. For example, through an RCBS AmmoMaster chronograph, the two 6.5 Creedmoor Superformance loads—120-grain GMX and 129-grain SST—were within 27 fps and 16 f.ps, respectively, of their published numbers The sole standard load, the 140-grain A-Max, bested the published number by 2 fps, but this was due to cartridge efficiency. In larger capacity cases, and especially traditional loads, the numbers won’t be as close.

By providing the hunter desiring a lightweight rifle that’s affordable and capable of excellent downrange performance, Savage Arms has accomplished what few have. Considering the company’s history, though, it’s no surprise. It has successfully performed many balancing acts before.

Manufacturer: Savage Arms; (866) 233-4776; www.savagearms.com.
Action Type: bolt-action, center-fire rifle
Receiver: carbon steel
Caliber: Model 11: 6.5 Creedmoor (tested), .223 Rem., .243 Win., .260 Rem., 7 mm-08 Rem., .308 Win.; Model 111: 6.5 mm x .284 Norma, .270 Win., .30-’06 Sprg.
Barrel: carbon steel; 20"
Magazine: detachable, four-round box
Sights: none; drilled and tapped for optic
Trigger Pull: single-stage ; 3 lbs., 2.1 ozs.
Stock: oil-finished walnut; Model 11/111: length of pull, 131⁄2"; drop at comb, 13⁄8”; drop at heel, 15⁄8"
Weight: 5 lbs., 8 ozs. (Model 11); 6 lbs. (Model 111)
Accessories: Weaver-style bases, cable lock, owner’s manual
Suggested Retail Price: $875