A Deep Dive on Impulse Technology Features

May 23rd, 2023
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Every inch of Impulse encompasses breakthrough technology for speed and precision. Let’s take a closer look at each piece of Impulse technology that makes this straight-pull rifle one-of-a-kind. 

But first, what is a straight-pull rifle? Simply put, it requires a “straight pull” to cycle the bolt – pull the bolt handle backwards, then push forward to close. A traditional bolt action requires four motions to cycle a bolt – lift the bolt handle up, pull back, push forward, push down to close. A straight pull is a more efficient and linear way to cycle rounds while reducing movement on the firearm and keeping the shooter on target. 

Hexlock

Hexlock is a robust bolt design with six ball bearings that expand to allow for superior safety. When a round is fired, the symmetric ball bearings tighten relative to pressure increase and provide a robust lockup for safety. Hexlock utilizes a plunger that is ramped, so that as pressure increases, the ball bearings are driven outward locking them into the recess in the high strength barrel extension. The strength of Hexlock allows the rifle to handle magnum cartridges and high-pressure rounds.

How Hexlock Works 

Hexlock is one of the Impulse Technology features that is a robust bolt design with 6 ball bearings that expand to allow for superior safety

Multi-Position, Ambidextrous Bolt Handle

Impulse’s unique bolt handle design allows for the bolt handle to be canted at four different angles. Depending on the shooter’s preferred firing position, adjusting the bolt handle’s angle allows the shooter to fine tune the rifle for a perfect fit and comfort. 

The multi-positional bolt handle is one of the Impulse technology features that allows a shooter to adjust the rifle for their comfort.

We’ve taken bolt handle adjustability one step further though by making it ambidextrous. The bolt handle can be positioned on the left side of the rifle for left-handed shooters, with the same multi-positional adjustments.

The Impulse ambidextrous bolt handle can be positioned for right-handed or left-handed shooters 

This design also serves as a security key to the gun. When not in use, the bolt handle can be removed for safe storage or travel. 

The bolt handle on the Impulse is threaded to receive different bolt knobs. The thread pattern is 5/16-24 UNF and .500” long. The bolt handle will accept most bolt knobs with that pattern. 

Ambidextrous Controls

Remember the ambidextrous bolt handle? If you have the bolt handle positioned on the left side of the receiver, all the rifle controls are designed to be ambidextrous so any shooter can operate it intuitively. The safety is located on the tang, the magazine release is located at the front of the magazine, and the Quick Bolt Release is located at the rear of the bolt.

Impulse ambidextrous controls

Quick Bolt Release

The Quick Bolt Release button, located at the rear of the bolt, unlocks the bolt and automatically resets, eliminating cycling failures. This innovative design allows the shooter to open the bolt to extract a live round or to open the bolt without taking the rifle off SAFE.

How to Open the Impulse Bolt

The ambidextrous Quick Bolt Release button is an Impulse technology that allows the shooter to open the bolt without pulling the trigger.

Single Step Side Bolt Release

Once the bolt is open, pressing Single Step Side Bolt Release button on the left side of the receiver allows the bolt to be removed from the receiver. Unlike many other rifles, the Impulse bolt can be reinserted with no manipulation required.

The Single Step Side Bolt Release button on Impulse allows the bolt to be removed from the receiver

Integral Mil-Spec Picatinny Rail

One of the most frustrating parts of mounting an optic is making sure that you have the correct rings and bases or rails for your set-up. Everything must fit together and be installed perfectly. We’ve taken one variable out of the equation by machining an integral mil-spec 20 MOA Picatinny rail into the receiver. You don’t need to purchase a separate rail or mounts for Impulse, and you’ll never have to worry about it coming loose or being installed improperly. 

Integral mil-spec picatinny rail on Savage Impulse

Cylindrical Bolt

The smooth cylindrical bolt design allows for quick handling and prevents bolt bind. 

The smooth cylindrical bolt design allows for quick handling and prevents bolt bind.

Rotary Bolt Handle

Impulse’s rotary bolt handle allows for controlled loading, leveraged bolt close, and pre-extraction. The bolt handle is designed to provide the maximum mechanical advantage to enhance extraction.

The rotary bolt handle is an Impulse technology that allows for controlled loading, leveraged bolt close and pre-extraction.

Interchangeable Bolt Head

The robust lock up is designed with a free floating, interchangeable bolt head. The free-floating bolt ensures perfect alignment of the chamber. The bolthead can be swapped without tools for caliber conversions. 

Impulse interchangeable bolt head

Four-Bolt Barrel Clamp

A proven four-bolt barrel clamp with an integral lock provides easy disassembly and repeatable zero. This system provides for a repeatable zero when removed as the barrel extension is timed via the receiver and barrel locking lug (via the front lug). This quick rezero saves you time and ammo rezeroing your rifle whenever the barrel is removed from the action. 

Impulse uses a proven four-bolt barrel clamp with an integral lock to provide easy disassembly and a repeatable zero.

Self-Contained Modular Subassemblies

The major components and parts that need to be cleaned can be disassembled and assembled toollessly. Impulse also includes a variety of sub-assemblies designed to be taken apart with common tools found and the parts are then self-contained. The toolless assemblies for maintenance and cleaning include the bolt removal, bolt head, and bolt handle.

The major components and parts of Impulse that need to be cleaned can be disassembled and assembled toollessly by the user, thanks to its self-contained modular subassemblies

Barrel Extension

We were able to use an aluminum receiver because we had integrated a barrel extension. The barrel extension absorbs the pressures when a round is fired and secures the bolt head via Hexlock safely. The aluminum gives us desirable weight reduction as well as manufacturing flexibility. 

One of the Impulse technology features is the integrated aluminum barrel extension

AccuTrigger

AccuTrigger is a user-adjustable trigger pull that is light and crisp with no creep and prevents the firearm from discharging if dropped or jarred.

How to Adjust AccuTrigger

AccuFit

The Savage AccuFit system uses an exclusive combination of interchangeable comb risers and length-of-pull inserts to create a custom fit for any shooter.

How to Adjust AccuFit

AccuStock

AccuStock is an aluminum rail system embedded in the forend of the stock that three-dimensionally engages the stock along its entire length providing rigidity.