Savage's Model Mark II FV-SR 22 LR Bolt Action Rifle

It is the day after Thanksgiving; still stuffed, with a forward two week meal plan built on a foundation of Thanksgiving left over and a gut that is clearly at odds with my belt. I love the holiday, even though some folks just don’t seem to get it. While ideologues debate multiple misinterpretations and massaged politicized presentations of the day, all intended to make Americans feel bad and ruin yet another traditional holiday, our family focuses on the real intent of the day, expressing thanks to God for all we have been so blessed to receive.

Being healthy, waking up each morning and having a terrific wife, close family and friends are blessings of infinite value. Being able to spend time with family and friends on the day, swapping stories of lives well lived, sharing a meal and feeling a part of something greater than each individual is happiness. A little recreational target shooting and spending time with my eight year old granddaughter is just great fun.

Picking the firearm for the job…

One of my contributions to family gatherings is to select a firearm for the occasion. This time, because a mixture of experienced and inexperienced shooters, adjusts and junior shooters would be participating, I decided to go with a bolt action 22 LR rimfire that would be low in report, absent of recoil and accurate enough to make informal competition interesting.

 A Mark II series Savage was selected for the occasion. It is a mature product, quite refined in comparison to similar models made by Savage pre ATK ownership. The threaded barrel version was selected because the use of a compact silencer and subsonic ammunition would spare even noise sensitive people any aggravation.

I have to admit I was surprised by the good quality of the received firearm. The stock was nicely molded; parting lines, checkering and uniformity of color and texture. Hardware was also nicely done right down to the barrel fluting and protective thread cap. The bolt was a little tight in actuation by smooth in stroke and breech locking. The safety was crisp and positive in engagement or release, the trigger pull was smooth, light and devoid of creep and over travel. The little Savage looked much better than its small price tag would suggest.

The Advanced Armament Corp Aviator2 silencer

The Savage Mark II FV-SR is silencer ready; the muzzle has 1/2″x28 threads under a knurled protective cap. A silencer like the AAC Aviator2  is installed by simply removing the protective cap and screwing the silencer into place as seen below.

While compact and lightweight, the Aviator2 very effectively reduces report. Shooting Eley Subsonic 40 grain lead hollow point ammo, the loudest sound was the rifle’s firing pin striking the cartridge rim. This particular ammunition is categorized as hunting ammunition, but it actually generates target shooting accuracy.

The rifle is supplied without metallic sights,  so a  Leupold VX-3 2.5-8x36MM scope was installed. With 4.5″ eye relief, even with the longish length of pull, young shooters were able to able to strike a balance between stock length of pull and eye relief when finding steady, rested shooting positions. The scope was installed with Warne Rings, zeroed with a laser boresighter and the combination was on target down range from the first shot.

We did not shoot a great deal of paper. For the most part, a steel target with steel spinner paddles was put out so that young shooters could feel the instant gratification of hitting a target with a clank and making it rotate. Lots of smiles on lots of faces.

With paper targets, both subsonic and supersonic ammo shot well. Out to 50 yards, keeping 5 shots within an inch was pretty routine. The rifle’s mild manner permitting young shooters to master the firearm during training sessions and then go on to call out and challenge the person of their choice. That certainly kept parents on their toes.

The Savage Mark II FV-SR and accessories will stay around the shop. The combination of heavy barrel, longer pull and appropriate eye relief made the combination a pleasure to shoot. Winter is about here and it will be nice to have a combination good for varmint and small game that we can all shoot. One of my better investments in fun.