Savage Arms Model 110 High Country in .270 Winchester
When it comes to visual appeal, the 110 High Country rifle from Savage Arms has it in spades and is a good reason why it has been a hugely popular model for the company since it's introduction in 2019.
The 110 High Country is based on the standard Savage 110 action and features the same standard features other 110-based models feature such as the AccuTrigger and three position safety. As for everything else on the 110 High Country it's a whole different ballgame.
The stock fitted to the High Country is their standard sporter-style stock featuring Savage's well regarded AccuFit system with adjustable comb height, adjustable length-of-pull, and textured rubber panels at the grip and forend. The stock also features the AccuStock aluminum skeleton for additional rigidity and has been hydro-dipped with the TruTimber Strata camouflage pattern which currently is only offered on the High Country model.
Another feature setting the High Country apart from other Savage rifle is the coyote brown PVD coating applied to the stainless steel action, barrel, bottom metal, bolt body, bolt handle and trigger guard. Now only does this give the rifle a very distinctive look compared to the traditional matte blued or stainless steel hardware, but Savage also claims that it provides additional corrosion resistance and faster heat dissipation. How much of that is truth and how much of it is marketing jargon is something I will let you readers decide.
The 110 High Country is also unique in that it features a spiral fluted medium contour barrel (with threaded muzzle) and bolt body. Again, these features are more visual stimulation than offering any kind of performance advantage, and in that regard they succeed in making the High Country stand out amidst the sea of other rifles on the dealers rack.
Specifications for the rifle are as follows:
Overall length: 42.375" to 45.25" (depending on cartridge)
Weight: 8.1 to 8.5 lbs. (depending on cartridge)
Barrel Length: 22 or 24" (depending on cartridge)
Magazine Capacity: 2 to 4 (depending on cartridge)
MSRP: $1129.00
The specific Model 110 high Country that I received in for this review was chambered in .270 Winchester and features a 22" barrel.
For testing purposes I mounted a Minox ZA-2 2.5-10x40mm scope using a set of DNZ Products Hunt Master mounts. Ammunition used for testing was readily available off-the-shelf hunting loads consisting of Hornady's American Whitetail 140gr. InterBond Spire-point and Federal's Non-Typical 130gr. Soft Point. All accuracy testing was performed shooting from a concrete bench using a Protektor rear bag and Harris bipod as shown in the photo at the top of this article.
Accuracy testing went very well with the 110 High Country consistently shooting sub-MOA groups at both 100 and 200 yards. The Hornady American Whitetail proved to be slightly more accurate and consistent, but the difference was minimal. That's one of the benefits of going with a time tested cartridge like the .270 Winchester - most all of the available factory loads out there have had decades to be perfected and will usually perform admirably from most any rifle.
Best 100 yard groups
Best 200 yard groups
Functionally the 110 High Country was flawless with no feeding, extraction or ejection issues to report. Fit and finish of the rifle was also excellent, though I was a bit disappointed in the durability of the PVD metal finish as it tends to scratch very easily. By the conclusion of my testing the finish on the fluted bolt body was showing wear to the high spots of the spiral flutes, and there were a couple scratches in the finish on the barrel just from regular day-to-day handling. It really makes me question how well the finish will hold up to harsher field conditions over extended use and time.
Overall the Model 110 High Country performed just as I expected it should, and there's no questioning it's good looks. The package as a whole makes for a very nice rifle that bridges the gap between a typical sporting rifle with a lightweight barrel profile and a dedicated long-range rifle with a true varmint contour barrel. As the High Country model name implies, it's geared towards those doing high altitude sheep and elk hunts who need the benefit of a heavier barrel for those longer shots but also doesn't want to have to pack an overly heavy rifle up and down the mountain. Savage appears to have hit that equilibrium with the 110 High Country.
For those who want a rifle that looks as good as it performs the 110 High Country may be just the ticket, but the aesthetics come at a premium price. Aside from the threaded muzzle and slightly heavier barrel contour the High Country offers no functional or performance advantage over the more basic Model 110 Hunter that costs several hundred dollars less. This is the beauty of today's diverse firearms market though - no matter what your budget or tastes, you're sure to find something that will fit your requirements and fall within your price range.
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