• Savage Model 16FHSS Review in .250 Savage

    For 2009 Savage has released a new and improved version of their synthetic stocks dubbed the AccuStock. While the outward appearance of the AccuStock looks identical to the old flimbsy synthetic stocks, it's what's hidden inside that really matters.

    The new AccuStock from Savage utilizes an aluminum skeleton to provide a solid 3-dimensional bedding platform for the barreled action as well as to stiffen up the stock. One of the biggest complaints many have had about Savage rifles in the past has been that the factory synthetic stocks were extremely flimsy in the forend. Shooting from a bipod, the weight of the rifle was enough to cause the forend to flex enough to allow it to come in contact with the barrel. Similar contact could be caused when utilizing a sling wrapped around the supporting arm.

    In an article written by Aaron Carter and published in the American Rifleman magazine, Ron Coburn and Chris Bezzina - Director of Engineering for Savage - go to great lengths explaining the features and design principals that were put into the AccuStock. Rather than paraphrasing their quotes here, I'll simply provide a link to the article so that you may read through it in it's entirety Unshakeable Foundations - The Savage AccuStock.

    Outwardly the new stock looks no different than the old, but it's what you don't see that matters with the new AccuStock.In short, the AccuStock is a vast improvement over the previous synthetic stock. The aluminum skeleton not only substantially stiffens the forend, but if also provides an excellent foundation for the action. While there is still a minimal amount of flex in the forend, the amount is so minute that it's not worth mentioning.

    However, as good as the AccuStock is it's still not perfect.

    For starters, the aluminum skeleton only extends back to the rear of the action, thus leaving the wrist of the stock unreinforced. Past testing has shown that the wrist area was another weak point on Savage's synthetic stocks as going from a light (free recoil) grip to a firm (pulled tight to the shoulder) grip can and will change the rifles POI.

    Secondly, the new AccuStock brings with it the same horrid mold lines that the old synthetic stocks had. Aside from being unsightly and attributing to the appearance of a crude and unfinished stock, the mold lines are often very sharp. Those found on the top of the butt of the stock have more than once resulted in a bloody cut along my cheek. Mold lines are not an issue on any other mass-produced rifle stock that I have seen, so why Savage doesn't address the issue is beyond my comprehension.

    Last but not least, Savage has made some pretty wild claims about the AccuStock in it's marketing materials, some of which are flat-out false. Savage claims that the aluminum skeleton negates the need to glass bed the stock and that it will improve upon the accuracy of any rifle by as much as 50%.

    New bolt release button on the front of the trigger guard eliminates the old sear-mounted lever and further cleans up the appearance of the barreled action.The first claim is pure fiction as there's no way the production tolerances on a mass-production rifle will ever match the glove-like fit offered by a properly glass bedded action. The design of the AccuStock's aluminum skeleton is undoubtedly one of the best factory offered bedding systems out there, but it will never offer 100% contact without specifically machining each skeleton and action as a mated pair (which would not be economically efficient on a mass production rifle).

    The claim that the AccuStock will improve accuracy on all rifles is another myth, though not as far fetched as the first. Simply stated, there are far too many variables in the accuracy equation to claim that changing just one will make such a drastic improvement. Every rifle barrel has it's own unique characteristics, and it's own likes and dislikes. Primer charge uniformity, powder charge uniformity, bullet seating depth uniformity, case thickness uniformity, bullet concentricity, chamber uniformity, and many, many more variables will play just as big a roll in the rifles accuracy as the stiffness (or flimsiness) of the stock. Proof of this is clearly shown by just how good some of the older synthetic stocked Savage rifles will shoot...some of which will consistently shoot sub 1/4-MOA groups with the right handloads.


    Savage Model 16FHSS in .250 Savage

    It's been many years since the .250 Savage has been a cataloged chambering from Savage, and I myself am thrilled to see it's return to the line-up. While not the fastest or hardest hitting cartridge on the market, the .250 Savage has proven itself over the last 94 years as a dependable and reliable hunting cartridge that's more than capable of taking most game in North America. In fact, the photo below shows the capability of this small quarter-bore cartridge in a time when the preferred load was an 87 grain bullet.

    J.W. French pictured with his Model 1899 T/D in .250-3000 Savage and many of the trophies
he had taken with it over the years - including 9 Grizzlies in one outing.The Model 16FHSS I received for review featured all of the most recent updates to the 110 design. This includes the new cocking indicator in the rear of the bolt, the new trigger guard mounted bolt release, the new center-feed magazine system with hinged floorplate, the AccuTrigger, a smooth barrel nut, and of course the all new AccuStock.

    Included with the rifle were a set of standard Weaver-style bases to which I mounted a Vortex Diamondback 3-9x40mm scope. For testing, a mix of both factory ammunition and handloads were used with bullets ranging from 85 to 100 grains in weight.

    With factory ammunition the Model 16FHSS provided acceptable hunting accuracy with groups ranging from just over one inch to just under 2-inches. Best accuracy with the factory fodder was obtained using Winchester's 100gr Super-X SilverTip, while Remington's 100gr Premier Cor-Lokt ammo provided the worst groups.

    Changing to handloads saw the groups drop into the sub-MOA range, with the best being a 0.67" group shot with an 87gr Nosler BT propelled by 35.5 grains of IMR-4064 at just over 3000fps. The 100-grain Nosler AccuBond loads weren't far behind with a best group of 0.86" using 34-grains of IMR-4895.

    Functionally the 16FHSS was flawless. No failures to feed, no failures to eject or extract, and no AccuTrigger resets even with the trigger set at it's minimal setting.

    Disassembly and reassembly of the rifle proved to be a little trickier than those of old, mainly due to the new AccuStock and the hinged floorplate. With the AccuStock, one needs to lay the barreled action upside down and lay the stock on it to get them back together due to the "wedge" used to clamp the recoil lug. The hinged floorplate makes access to the front action screw limited, but it can easily be removed with a long allen wrench once you compress the follower and magazine against the hinged plate.

    All in all I was very impressed with the accuracy, functionality and quality of the 16FHSS. The only real complaint I would have would be in regard to the excessive mold flashing on the stock. Aside from that though, the 16FHSS was quite a performer, and with the new AccuStock should prove to be one of the best all-around, all-weather hunting rifles on the market this year and for years to come.


    Additional Photos:

    A new cocking indicator protrudes through the rear of the bolt assembly. This shot shows part of the aluminum skeleton in the new AccuStock, including the "wedge" that is designed to lock the action into the stock via the recoil lug. The aluminum skeleton provides a solid foundation for the action within the AccuStock.
    The hinged floorplate fits flush in the stock and is opened via a release cam at the front. A new, shorter recoil (Remington style) is employed on all AccuStock-equipped rifles to work in conjunction with the "wedge". As the photo shows, access to the front action screw can be tricky due to the forward hinge on the hinged floorplate assembly.


    Contact Information
    Savage Arms
    100 Springdale Road
    Westfield, MA 01085
    www.SavageArms.com