The Savage 110 BA: Power Purchase (page 2)
The Savage Model 110 BA.
By Aaron Carter, Managing Editor
“Since the matte-black, 6061 T6 aluminum stock has the AccuStock built in, I made up a new recoil lug with the larger 1 1/8-inch shank,” said Danneker. “It is essentially a target recoil lug with the AccuStock profile ground flat to within 0.0005 inches, and the other side is parallel within 0.0005 inches.” The fore-end assembly was slightly modified from that of the Model 10 BAS-K and BAT/S-K; however, like the Model 10s the fore-end features three-swivel studs—one on each side and the third on the bottom, for attachment of a bipod. “I wanted to offer the shooter options if they want to attach a sling on either side,” explained Danneker. The 1 1/2-inch-loop sling attachment and quick-detach front sling mount on the Magpul buttstock can easily be moved to the other side, if preferred.
When designing the Model 110 BA’s barrel, performance and maneuverability were foremost considerations. To attain the “required” 3000-fps mark with a 250-grain projectile in the .338 Lapua Mag.-chambered variant, Danneker selected a 26-inch 4140 chrome-moly barrel. Including the muzzle brake, the free-floating barrel measures a lengthy, yet still manageable, 29.5 inches, giving the rifle an overall length of 50.5 inches. The .300 Win. Mag.-chambered 110 BA’s barrel mimics that of the .338 Lapua Mag. version. The rifle’s predecessors, the Model 10 BAS-K and BAT/S-K, had 24-inch barrels (not including the muzzle brake).
To reduce weight, as well as quicken cooling, the barrel has six, 15.5-inch-long flutes. At the receiver the barrel is 1.1250 inches in diameter, whereas at the junction with the muzzle brake it measures 0.900 inches. Depending on cartridge, the barrel is chambered with either C.I.P. (.338 Lapua Mag.) or Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute (SAAMI) (.300 Win. Mag.) reamers from JGS Precision Tool of Coos Bay, Ore. Like the receiver and chassis, the barrel has a matte-black finish.
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.
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