Although the rate of twist of the rifling in the .300 Win. Mag.-chambered 110 BA is the commonly encountered 1:10 inches, that for the .338 Lapua Mag. is anything but commonplace. Danneker selected 1:9-inch six-groove, right-hand-twist rifling. Why? “Considering the 0.338-inch options currently available, and knowing how bullets are evolving, such as all-copper and very-low-drag (VLD)-style projectiles, I opted for 1:90-inch twist, as it stabilizes the lengthiest of bullets at the cartridge’s maximum range,” reported Danneker. Most rifles chambered in .338 Lapua Mag. have a 1:10-inch or slower twist rate.

As the 110 BA is available in .338 Lapua Mag., the recoil of which is unpleasant for most shooters, muzzle brake design was critical. Danneker first tested an extra-large, modified version of the “fish gill” brake used on the .308 Win.-chambered Models 10 BAS-K and 10 BAT/S-K. In these rifles, recoil reduction was 20 percent; however, a greater percentage was desired for the 110 BA. Wisely, Danneker studied the marketplace, as well as his own gun cabinet, when contemplating a design. “I considered muzzle brakes currently in use, including that on my .50 BMG-chambered rifle, to see what made them work,” said Danneker. Although the research proved fruitful, so too did heeding the sage advice of Team Savage Capt. Stan Pate.

“Drawing from his extensive military and tactical shooting experience, Pate suggested filling the bottom of the muzzle brake’s ‘gills’ to channel gases up and out,” reported Danneker. “This would eliminate the dust cloud created when firing from the prone position, preventing ‘marking’ of the shooter’s position in a tactical situation.”

After making that change, Danneker employed high-speed video to observe the results. The findings were conclusive. “The muzzle brake channeled gases upward and backward, reducing muzzle flip, minimizing, if not eliminating, ‘marking’ and reduced recoil by upward of 35 percent,” he said. “Goal achieved!” So, what is the rifle’s recoil comparable to? According to Danneker, the .338 Lapua Mag.-chambered 110 BA produces recoil similar to that from a .308 Win.-chambered sporter-style rifle, and the .300 Win. Mag. is “very mild.”

One of the many salient selling points of the Model 10 BAS-K and 10 BAT/S-K rifles was their AR-15-style buttstocks, which allowed for interchangeability with any AR-15-compatiable replacement; however, the concept proved incompatible with the Model 110 BA. “I started with the Magpul PRS AR-15 version, but based upon feedback from Team Savage, it didn’t work for the length-of-pull and cheek adjustment we needed,” said Danneker. “I also wanted something in the 13.5- to 14 7/8-inch length-of-pull range and cheek adjustment suitable for shooters of all statures, as well as any optic/ring combination.”

Magpul’s PRS2 buttstock proved to be the “ideal” fit. The buttstock has a retracted length of 10.250 inches and extended length of 11 inches. Height adjustment is approximately 1 3/4 inches. Although Magpul makes polymer adapters for the PRS2 to fit G3 and FAL rifles, it didn’t work for Danneker on his concept rifle, so he developed one from aluminum that mates to the rear chassis using the hardware supplied with the stock. By opting for the PRS2 model, though, buttstock interchangeability is minimized. “Why someone would change it remains questionable, as you have a fantastic buttstock no sane person would want to replace,” said Dermody. I agree.

Also changed in the Model 110 BA from its Model 10 BAS-K and BAT/S-K cohorts is the pistol grip/trigger guard section. According to Danneker, this area was modified to give shooters better purchase to the DPMS AR-15-style grip. “This allowed the shooter’s fingers to rest where they should, on the middle of the first joint,” explained Danneker. “I made the stem thicker and wider for the heavier chamberings.”

Like the Model 10 variants, the Model 110 BA has a matte-black 6061 T6 aluminum M1913 Picatinny rail; however, to aid long-range shooting, the 18-inch rail has a 20-minute angle machined in, therefore requiring less adjustment in the optic. In addition to the top portion, which provides ample space for mounting an optic, as well as a forward section, the rail extends to each side, where 7-inch sections parallel the fore-end. Why? “We had a lot of feedback from the shooting and tactical suppliers requesting additional rails on the sides for accessories,” reported Danneker.

“I took the Model 10 version, lengthened it and added rails to the sides,” said Danneker. “This added some weight, but lightening cuts on the of the front portion help cut several ounces. I then dished the middle to accommodate large, 56-mm-objective riflescopes with low rings, which also helps keep shooters’ heads down and utilize the cheek adjustment range in the Magpul PRS2 buttstock. The rail is secured to the receiver by four No. 8-40 Farrell Industries screws, which was yet another suggestion from Team Savage. In comparison, the Model 10 BAS-K and BAT/S-K used four No. 6-48 screws. Although manufactured out-of-house, but still in the United States, the rail is machined to Savage’s specifications.

Like Savage’s other rifles, the Model 110 BA features the company’s user-adjustable AccuTrigger. In this case, it is the law enforcement version, offering a pull-weight range of 1.5. to 6 pounds. The test rifle’s trigger broke cleanly at 2 pounds, 4 ounces, and exhibited minimal overtravel.

As for controls, the 110 BA’s mimic those from previous Model 110-based rifles. The rifle features Savage’s standard three-position, tang-mounted safety, and the bolt release is positioned on the right, rear side of the receiver. Like the Model 10 BAS-K and BAT/S-K, the 110 BA’s magazine release is located on the front of the trigger guard, and pushing it forward releases the magazine.

Testing The Model 110 BA
As Team Savage played an integral part in the development of the 110 BA, and being world-class shooters, it only made sense that to realize the rifle’s full potential, accuracy testing needed to include them. So, in early October 2009 at the Douglas Ridge Rifle Club outside of Portland, Ore., we did just that. Having received two prototype rifles only days before my arrival, and working up some initial handloads, we evaluated their performance at 1,000 yards. Typical of Savage Arms’ products, accuracy was impressive—maintaining 1/2-m.o.a accuracy or less with the 250-grain loads with Team Savage members shooting. For me, the average increased, but remained less than one m.o.a.

Upon receiving the first production Model 110 BA for testing, I topped it with a Leupold Mark 4 8.5-25X 50 mm ER/T riflescope in Weaver rings, and headed to the 300-yard range with an assortment of ammunition. For stability, a Shooter’s Ridge bipod and a sandbag (for buttstock support) were used, and shots were taken from the prone position.

The best single five-shot group measured 1.29 inches (RUAG 250-grain Swiss P Target), and the best average for five consecutive, five-shot groups was 2.85 inches, and was produced by Cor-Bon’s 300-grain HPBT load. In most cases, three, if not four, shots impacted closely, but invariably, one, and at times, two, fliers enlarged the otherwise extremely tight group. Still, accuracy was commendable.

The muzzle brake, along with the 1 9/16-inch-thick semi-flexible recoil pad and rifle’s 15-pound, 12-ounce weight, made recoil quite tolerable. In fact, during the accuracy- and function-testing phase alone, I shot nearly 200 rounds in a single day and was no worse for wear. Hearing protection, and even doubling up, is highly recommended.

Although the Model 110 BA is found in the Savage Arms law enforcement lineup, and was designed with military requirements in mind, not to mention it has the ability to withstand operational use by military and law enforcement communities, long-range shooting enthusiasts will surely find this rifle appealing. What’s more, the 110 BA’s $2,267 price puts it within the reach of many shooters. All this, along with Savage’s renowned accuracy and commitment to quality, gives you a remarkable rifle at an equally impressive price.