The Savage Model 110: History of an Iconic Rifle

When you think of classic hunting rifles, few are as iconic as the Savage Model 110. At one point, the 110 was the only rifle produced here at Savage. It’s the rifle that saved the company, and today it is the longest continuously manufactured bolt action rifle in production. It’s a rifle that has a legendary reputation for accuracy, dependability, and reliability. 

The Model 110 has had a storied nearly 70-year history, with plenty of ups and downs along the way. From a simple start of one model with just a couple of calibers offered, to a catalog today of dozens of calibers and models to fit the needs of nearly any target shooter or hunter today, no rifle has proven more adaptable and fit for the modern user. Let’s dive into the history of the Savage Model 110 and take a look at what the future has in store for this iconic rifle.  

Origins of the Model 110

The Savage Model 110 was developed by firearm design engineer Nicholas Brewer in the late 1950s. It was first introduced in 1958 in two long-action cartridges, 270 Winchester and 30-06 Springfield. The rifle’s designation comes from its retail price when it first launched in 1958, which was $109.95. Rounding up, you get the new Model 110. 

The new Model 110 would quickly develop a reputation for exceptional accuracy, helped by Savage’s button rifling processes and the classic thread-in headspacing set by using the now famous barrel nut design. Other notable features of the first 110s include a tang safety, floating bolt head, and internal box magazine.  

It wouldn’t take very long for the Model 110 to get its first updates. In 1959, the first left-handed Model 110 would roll off the production line. Along with the addition of a left-handed model, the 110 would also have two short action calibers added with 243 Winchester and 308 Winchester models being introduced. This was only the beginning of the additions and revisions that would be made to the Model 110, with later design updates including a spring ejector added to the bolt, rather than aa mechanical magazine ejector, and the addition of a detachable box magazine.  

Pulling Through Tough Times 

Over the next thirty years after its introduction, the Savage Model 110 would become a staple in the product lineup. By 1988, Savage was in dire straits and risked going out of business. The company was experiencing significant financial difficulties through bankruptcy, and new CEO Ron Coburn would make the decision to cut all product lines except for the 110. 

With a production line that was well-established, cost advantages compared to other competitive rifles, and a well-known reputation for exceptional accuracy, Coburn would stake the future of Savage on the Model 110 and the incredible value it provided to consumers. Coburn’s bet paid off, and Savage would recover on the back of the Model 110 and its reputation as a rifle with outstanding accuracy for its price point.  

Modernizing the Model 110 

The Model 110 would go through a substantial amount of modernization in the late 1990s and early 2000s. With the addition of various short and long action calibers over time, as well as a variety of different stocks, finishes, and packages, the naming of the Model 110 would go through an update. In 1998 the base name would change to the Model 10/110. The two-digit “Model 10” reflected rifles in short action calibers, and the three-digit "Model 110” rifles were chambered in long action calibers. New model numbers were also added to the 110 line, with the varying numbers reflecting some attributes of the rifle. These included the Model 11/111, Model 12/112, Model 14/114, Model 16/116, among others.  

The Savage Model 110 would receive its greatest update to date in 2003, when the newly developed AccuTrigger was added to the line. While previous Model 110 rifles had adjustable triggers, the AccuTrigger was a revolution in its ability to be highly adjustable, yet incredibly safe for the user. The Model 110 was the first Savage rifle to receive the new AccuTrigger, and every 110 since has been equipped with the AccuTrigger straight from the factory floor.  

The Age of AccuFit 

The AccuTrigger helped make the Savage Model 110 a more modern rifle, beginning the steps to bring the design into the 21st century. However, modern hunters and shooters wanted more. Shooters had customized and fine-tuned their rifles for decades, but the demand was emerging to have more adjustment in a factory rifle. A rifle that could fit any shooter, without needing to grab an aftermarket stock. In 2018, Savage answered the call with the new AccuFit system to make the Model 110 a truly modern rifle.  

AccuFit gave the Model 110 an adjustable stock straight from the factory. With various adjustment options for both comb height and length of pull, shooters no longer had to look to aftermarket modifications to make their rifle fit them. The Model 110 has always been an accurate rifle, but the AccuFit system brought the accuracy potential of the rifle to an even greater level. 

 The custom fit of AccuFit wasn’t the only innovation that was introduced in the modern line of 110 rifles. Pillar bedding, a tried-and-true method of helping to beef up stocks and improve rigidity, was included in select Model 110 rifles with the AccuStock system. This aluminum rail system provides a more rigid forend to the stock, helping reduce flexing and create a more stable stock for improved accuracy. Included in Model 110 rifles like the 110 Tactical, the AccuStock system paired with AccuFit helped turn the 110 into a modern platform. 

The additions of AccuFit and AccuStock helped make the 110 a modern platform, but the rifle has truly stepped into its own with the expansion of offerings to fit nearly any hunter or shooter. Today’s 110 lineup has a model for everyone, with options ranging from the rock-solid Trail Hunter, to carbon fiber barrels in the 110 Carbon Tactical and 110 Ultralite, to the precision chassis rifles like the 110 Elite Precision and 110 Ultralite Elite. From backcountry hunters to bench rest and PRS competitors, there’s truly a Model 110 for every consumer to experience. 

110: The Next Generation 

We’ve always been driven to improve and innovate at Savage. The Model 110 was one of those innovations, and it has undergone various changes over the years to address an ever-changing market and the needs of our customers. Now, the Model 110 will undergo its most transformative change yet. 

Key Features

The next generation of the Model 110 has the most enhancements made to the line yet. Here are some of the new upgrades you’ll see across all models in the new 110 rifle lineup. 

• New stock design: An all-new 110 calls for an all-new stock. The 110’s new Trophy and AccuFit V2 stocks feature improved ergonomics, with a vertical pistol grip, palm swells, and thumb rests for maximum comfort while shooting. Each of the new 110 rifles will be adjustable in some way, either through length of pull on the Trophy stock or with length of pull, comb height, and grip changes with the new AccuFit V2 system.  
• Threaded barrels: You don’t have to ask any longer. Yes, the barrel is threaded. All new Model 110 rifles will come with threaded barrels standard from the factory. No more picking and choosing based on if you can add a suppressor or muzzle brake. All new 110s will be threaded, so you can choose the exact rifle you want no matter what you want to put on it.  
• Left-hand standard: Oh, that's the other question we knew you’d ask! Yes, it’s also left-handed. Every new Model 110 will come with left-handed options, with many models having all of their caliber choices available in left-hand. The Model 110 has always been friendly to our southpaw shooters, but it is now the gold standard for a factory left-handed rifle.  
• Cerakote actions and barrels: Since the beginning, the Model 110 has been a workhorse. It’s taken game in the toughest environments and unforgiving conditions. We know our hunters and shooters put their 110s through the ringer, and that’s why Cerakote finishes are now standard across all 110 barrels and actions. With Cerakote, you get best in class corrosion resistance, great looking finishes, and smoother operating actions.  
• Bolt enhancements: Speaking of smooth operation, we’ve heard from you for years. Customer feedback has led us to reimagine the bolt on the Model 110, and we’ve made some upgrades to make this the smoothest, quietest, and most reliable 110 yet. Featuring dual ejectors and a new radiused extractor, our new bolt offers better feeding, more reliable ejection, and a smoother operation that you’ll feel before and after every shot.  
• One-piece rails: No longer will you have to decipher if your rifle uses 6-40 screws or 8-40 screws, because the rail will already be on the rifle. Nearly every new Model 110 will ship with a one-piece rail included, so you don’t have to worry about screw sizes or finding the right rail. Just grab your optic of choice, install it onto the rifle, and hit the range to get your perfect zero. 

Line Overview 

The new Model 110 line comes with several new series, each offering something a little different than the last. Here’s a quick breakdown of what you can expect from each of the new 110 series of rifles. 

Trophy Series

The 110 Trophy Series is made for the hardworking, no-nonsense hunter. It features all the essentials you need in a rifle to put food on the table and in the freezer. Corrosion resistant finishes adorn the action and barrel, with both Cerakote and stainless-steel options. The heart of the Trophy Series is the new Trophy stock, featuring improved ergonomics with adjustability for length of pull. New models in the Trophy Series include the 110 Trail Blazer, 110 Trail Blazer XP, 110 Ridge Hunter, and the 110 Carbon Hunter.  

Core Series

The 110 Core Series is the heart of the new Model 110 line. Featuring the new AccuFit V2 system, you’ll have adjustability for length of pull, comb height, and interchangeable grip modules to achieve the perfect fit for enhanced accuracy. The Core Series features rifles for a range of different applications. The 110 Core Hunter comes in over 30 different cartridges, allowing endless options for nearly any hunter. The 110 Core Predator is purpose built for predator and varmint hunting, with an integral ARCA rail and 4 M-Lok slots for mounting up bipods and tripods for stable shooting. The 110 Core Tactical is excellent for tactical and target shooting, with the same M-Lok slots and integral ARCA rail, plus a 20 MOA rail and AICS magazine compatibility.  

Pro Series

The Pro Series builds upon the foundation of the Core Series, with the same AccuFit V2 stock and standard 110 features, while adding premium features to enhance the rifle’s performance. The Pro Series includes spiral fluted barrels, threaded carbon fiber bolt knobs, AICS magazines, Savage Woodland and Western camo stocks, 20 MOA rails, and factory installed Omniport muzzle brakes. The Pro Series includes the 110 Core Hunter Pro and the 110 Ultralite Pro. 

Tactical / Predator Series 

Stability and precision are key with the 110 Tactical / Predator Series. Featuring the 110 Core Predator and 110 Core Tactical, these rifles sport increased M-Lok slots and integral ARCA rails for attaching bipod and tripods to help enhance precision. The 110 Ultralite Predator takes your predator hunting up a notch with a PROOF Research carbon fiber barrel for reduced weight and enhanced accuracy.  

Ultralite Series

The 110 Ultralite Pro and 110 Ultralite Predator make up the Ultralite series, cutting down on weight but not on accuracy. Both rifles have the same feature set as the 110 Core Hunter Pro and 110 Core Predator but add PROOF Research carbon fiber wrapped barrels that Savage has trusted for years to cut weight and provide exceptional accuracy.  

Impulse

The Savage Model 110 line isn’t the only rifle line getting a facelift. The Impulse series of rifles is getting the same makeover, with the Impulse Core Hunter, Impulse Core Predator, Impulse Core Hunter Pro, and Impulse Ultralite Pro being introduced. These rifles have the same feature set as their Model 110 counterparts, but feature smooth, speedy, and reliable Impulse straight pull action with its integrated 20 MOA rail machined into the receiver.  

Harvester 

The Model 212 and Model 220 shotguns weren’t left out of the action either, as they have become the new Harvester Series. Built off the 110 action with the AccuFit V2 stock, the Harvester Series offers the same great adjustment capabilities as the new Model 110 rifles, with enhanced ergonomics that offer precision shooting in a shotgun platform. Both the 12-gauge and 20-gauge models feature fully rifled barrels, with Savage Woodland camo stocks also available. 

As the longest continuously manufactured bolt action rifle, the Savage Model 110 has seen its fair share of changes throughout the decades. While changes have come and gone, the commitment to accuracy and precision that is in reach of every hunter and shooter has never wavered. The next generation of the Model 110 doesn’t just bring forth innovation; it builds on a heritage that was started in 1958 to provide a quality rifle at an unmatched price. The next generation of the Model 110 is a rifle that is truly built for all.