Breaking down entry barriers to the PRS realm with the 110 Elite Precision

The world of long-range shooting has evolved at an unprecedented speed. While an interest in the craft and tools of hitting small targets at super long distances has always existed, that interest has exploded over the last decade. The growth of the PRS and other organizations has brought new blood into this world, and for the better. One of the biggest perks of this new growth is the attention it has gotten from firearm manufacturers. We have seen some fantastic rifles hit the shelves in response to market demand. A company that knows the long-range world well is Savage. One of the best in their lineup is the Savage 110 Elite Precision.

Enter the Precision World Without Breaking the Bank – Savage 110 Elite Precision

Savage has been in the rifle business for a long time. Savage was founded in 1894 by Arthur William Savage. The original model 110 was introduced in 1958 and quickly gained a good reputation. Over the last 65 years, the 110 has evolved and seen several versions. While the 110 is considered a classic rifle, the Savage 110 Elite Precision is not your grandpappy’s gun.

Advertisement — Continue Reading Below

The rifle still uses the proven and trusted stainless-steel M110 bolt-action. To improve this, though, Savage has blueprinted the action in the Elite Precision. Blueprinting a rifle action is when all the critical aligning surfaces of the action are machined to be square with the action center line. This ensures that all the locking faces have maximum parallel contact once the cartridge is chambered.

Stainless Steel Action

The action is attached to a well-made, 26-inch free-floated barrel. It is a tapered design and has a threaded muzzle. Savage includes a self-timing, taper-aligned muzzle brake that performs well. It can also be removed if the shooter prefers to run the gun suppressed. The top of the action holds a 20-MOA Picatinny rail, making mounting long-distance optics fast and simple.

Advertisement — Continue Reading Below

An area where a long-range rifle is made or broken is the trigger. Savage once again has this well in hand with its AccuTrigger. Developed by Savage Arms, this trigger system allows shooters to easily adjust the pull weight of their rifle’s trigger without the need for a gunsmith. With the AccuTrigger, shooters can achieve a light, clean, and creep-free pull, resulting in improved accuracy and comfort while shooting. Owners can set the let-off weight anywhere between 1.5 and 4 pounds. Savage even includes the tool you will need to adjust your trigger. 

MDT Chassis

Another critical area we look at is the chassis. For the 110 Elite Precision, Savage teamed up with the chassis powerhouse MDT. The Modular Driven Technologies Adjustable Core Competition (ACC) chassis is a skeletonized, all-aluminum stock designed to provide an exceptional platform for the action. It also maximizes shooter comfort on the Elite Precision. The AAC is constructed from aluminum and has a Cerakote finish that gives it a durable finish. Adjusting the cheekpiece and recoil pad height, as well as the length of pull, does not require tools on the stock.

Advertisement — Continue Reading Below

Polymer knobs (inset) make working the locking mechanisms effortless, and numbered witness marks on the guide rods make returning to original settings fast. To adjust the length of pull, simply loosen a pair of generously sized locking knobs, rotate a wheel at the rear, move to the preferred setting, and re-tighten. As if that’s not enough, the recoil pad can be elevated and locked firmly into place. The chassis also comes with an adjustable pistol grip. To adjust the distance to the trigger, simply loosen three Allen-headed bolts and move as needed. Even the grip angle adjusts. Lastly, the forend features a full-length ARCA rail underneath.

Proving Grounds

The premise of the rifle is to provide precision hits at extended distances. Our challenge on the range then was to bear down and see what kind of accuracy we could squeeze out of this rifle. The rifle for our range day would be chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor and be topped off with a TORIC 4.5-30×56 34mm riflescope that is designed for extreme long-range shooting.

Advertisement — Continue Reading Below

It features an MRAD “Christmas tree” style reticle and proprietary Ultra High-Definition optical system comprising of SCHOTT HT Glass for unparalleled clarity and light transmission. This front focal plane scope is built to maximize the performance and range of your cartridge. We would shoot from a bench using a bipod and a standard sand sock for support. 

Perfect Conditions

As is the case most days, the Arizona weather was perfect for shooting. Only a mild half-value wind offered anything to mention. After a brief zeroing period, we began shooting our five-round groups. The ammunition for this test would be Federal 140-grain Gold Medal Sierra MatchKing, Hornady 140-grain ELD Match, and Berger 140-grain Hybrid Target HP. Each has a solid reputation for performance, and expectations were high. On a side note, we shot the groups in a staggered manner to allow the barrel to cool between groups. The goal was to get as close a comparison as possible. 

We were not disappointed. Every round we pushed downrange came in under 1 inch, with our best group coming from the Federal round. At a solid 0.75 inches, this was a confirmation that the Savage 110 Elite Precision was the real deal. The in-line recoil path made for a notably smooth shot with less jump than we see in other rifles. The gun is not lightweight, however. The total weight of the Savage Model 110 Elite Precision in 6.5 Creedmoor comes in at a recoil-taming 12.6 pounds before optic and ammo.

Advertisement — Continue Reading Below

Clean Trigger

The trigger broke cleanly at just over 2 pounds and had a short, smooth reset. Bolt manipulation was a breeze with the oversized knob. It was smooth and effective with no hiccups in cycling. The rifle from the factory includes a 10-round metal AICS mag, and it worked well. It fed reliably and inserted as easily as they dropped when they were empty. It was truly a pleasure to shoot. 

Empowered by the groups we just printed, it was time to push out some steel and see if we could make it sing at a distance. With very little effort, the steel began to ring at 200, 400, 500, and, ultimately, 1,000 yards. The transition between targets was fast and easy. The weight of the gun struck a perfect match between recoil dampening and mobility. The last group at 1,000 showed four out of five rounds in the half-scale silhouette steel. I tried to argue that the fifth round had actually nicked the edge of the steel, but my compatriots would not allow me to claim 100%. The gun performed very well at extended range, which is its purpose. 

Advertisement — Continue Reading Below

Going Long Range

I have plans for this rifle that include shots running out to 1 mile. Although some may dismiss the 6.5 Creedmoor at this distance, I have seen it work and want to give the Elite Precision a chance. I had planned on testing the gun suppressed as well, but the brake was on so tight that I simply wasn’t prepared to fight it off. Normally, I would not mention something this small, but shooting suppressed has become extremely popular. If you plan on removing the brake on this gun, make certain you have a lock block for the gun and a friend with gorilla-type strength.

Best Bang for Your Buck

Rifles destined for the uber-precision world easily run upwards of $4,000. This is before you include optics and a bipod, which then puts the cost close to a down payment on your kid’s college tuition. This has been a barrier for many people who want to get into the long-range realm. Savage has destroyed that idea and created a fantastic rifle that won’t break the bank. With an MSRP of only $2,259.00, the Savage 110 Elite Precision offers budget-sensitive shooters an opportunity to enter the world of precision shooting without breaking the bank.

For more information, visit here.

SPECIFICATIONS: Savage Arms Model 110 Elite Precision

PERFORMANCE: Savage Arms Model 110 Elite Precision

Bullet weight measured in grains, velocity in feet per second (fps) by chronograph and accuracy in inches for best five-shot groups at 100 yards.