Coming to the Range: Savage 16/116 Lightweight Hunter

Savage Arms’ new rifle, the 16/116 Lightweight Hunter, is a bolt-action centerfire that weighs less than six pounds.

Savage says that engineers shaved every ounce they could without sacrificing accuracy and reliability. A number of adjustments—machining out the receiver, fluting the bolt in a fine spiral fashion, and capping the stock with a 20-inch, light-contour barrel—contributed to the weight loss. Designers also borrowed the lightweight magazine and framework from Savage’s Trophy Hunter Series, replacing the standard heavy metal components found inside many heftier hunting rifles with a bulletproof base pad and rigid cross-bracing system crafted from light but extremely durable polymer.

Savage says its Lightweight Hunter tips the scale at 5.65 to 5.8 pounds, depending on caliber.

The rifle has a relatively short 40.25-inch overall length and is available in short- and long-action options: 223 Rem., 243 Win., 7mm-08 Rem., 308 Win. and 270 Win. The rifle has a self-adjusting, floating bolt head that Savage says “yields a fit normally available only with hand-lapped, locking lugs.”

Savage also says that “zero-tolerance headspace, achieved by carefully matching barrel, action and bolt, further fuels world-class accuracy.”

The 16/116 Lightweight Hunter also has Savage’s user-adjustable AccuTrigger system, which lets shooters tailor trigger pull to personal taste. It retails for $729.

16/116 Lightweight Hunter Specifications

Caliber: .223 Rem., .243 Win., 7mm-08 Rem., .308 Win. and .270 Win.

Configuration: Right-handed

Weight: 5.65 or 5.8 pounds, depending on caliber

Overall Length: 40.25 inches

Barrel Length: 20 inches

Ammo Capacity: 4

MSRP: $729

Trigger: AccuTrigger

Magazine: Detachable box

Stock material: Synthetic

Barrel material: Stainless steel

Stock finish: Matte

Barrel finish: Matte

Stock color: Black