{"id":139257,"date":"2021-03-14T16:24:19","date_gmt":"2021-03-14T20:24:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/digest\/?p=139257"},"modified":"2025-11-14T04:48:41","modified_gmt":"2025-11-14T10:48:41","slug":"savage-arms-impulse-american-made-straight-pull-rifle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/savage-arms-impulse-american-made-straight-pull-rifle\/","title":{"rendered":"Savage Arms IMPULSE: American Made Straight Pull Rifle"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Savage<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The new Savage Arms IMPULSE rifles are a whole new breed of rifle that raises the market to a new higher level. There have been European straight pull rifles for decades, but now there is an American made design at a much more affordable price point and loaded with additional features.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Simple and fast to operate, though not so simple to manufacture, the IMPULSE line has been in the works at Savage for 2 years. The new rifle features 13 new patents to develop and secure the design. It opens a whole new world for fast operating, accurate rifles. I hardly know where to start describing the IMPULSE.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Overview<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

For those of us accustomed to running standard bolt action rifles<\/a>, it takes a little practice to break the habit of lifting the bolt handle to open the action and pushing down to close it. When operating the IMPULSE straight-pull action, pulling the bolt handle rearward causes it to cam backward unlocking the HEXLOCK locking ball-bearings. Continue pulling the bolt handle straight to the rear until it reaches full cycle, and then push it straight forward until it stops, locking up the HEXLOCK ball-bearings in their machined recesses in the barrel extension.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Savage
HEXLOCK locking ball-bearings clearly visible on floating bolt head of factory blueprinted action.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The HEXLOCK bolt utilizes 6 ball bearings that are forced outward radially from the bolt head into the barrel extension to lock the bolt in place when the bolt handle is pushed forward. As pressure increases when a cartridge is fired the pressure causes the bolt to lock up even tighter. The IMPULSE action is rated for standard and magnum cartridges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since the hardened steel bearings lock into a barrel extension attached to the barrel, the IMPULSE still has steel on steel lock-up for extreme strength. The action is actually made of aluminum to reduce weight and has a 20-moa scope base machined into the top. This eliminates one failure point of scope mounting; the base coming loose. This mitigates the additional cost of buying a base for your new rifle.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Savage
Integral 20-moa base and familiar Savage barrel nut on the free-floated barrel.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When the bolt handle is pushed forward into the closed position the bolt latches in that position so that it can\u2019t be bumped open during handling. Pulling the trigger obviously releases the bolt to allow rearward cycling. There is also a quick-release button on the back of the bolt that can be pushed to release the bolt to cycle it rearward for ejecting unfired rounds or chamber checks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Savage
Bolt quick-release button is easily accessible on back of bolt.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The bolt handle of the IMPULSE is removable from the bolt with just a bullet point. Push in the plunger and slide off the retainer cap. Once it is removed the angle of the bolt handle can be shifted to suit the shooter. I changed the angle backward one position to place the bolt at a more natural angle for me to cycle the action. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Savage
Teeth on bolt handle allow the multiple angles for handle mounting.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In addition to being able to change the angle of the bolt handle, it can also be shifted to the left side of the gun for left-handed shooters. The IMPULSE rifles are fitted with Savage\u2019s well known, user-adjustable AccuTrigger. The factory trigger on the test rifle broke cleanly at an average weight of 2.9 lbs. and required no adjustment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Savage
Bolt release and bolt handle retaining assembly on left side of action\/ bolt.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Predator model I received for review was chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor and has a varmint weight 20\u201d barrel. The barrel\u2019s muzzle is threaded for a suppressor or muzzle break and comes with a protective cap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The action and barrel of the Predator are fed from a Savage 10<\/a> round AI pattern magazine. The bottom metal allows rapid reloads, and the magazine worked flawlessly. I also tested the rifle with a couple of other AI magazines I had, and they worked perfectly as well. The magazine is released by an ambidextrous release located at the front of the trigger guard. The release is easily reached and operated with the index finger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Savage
Proprietary bottom metal with ambi-mag release and AccuTrigger.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The IMPULSE\u2019s mossy oak camouflaged AccuStock has the AccuFit adjustable length of pull and replaceable cheekpieces of varying heights. The stock has 4 spacers of different thicknesses to allow users to adjust the stock to the perfect length. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The IMPULSE came with 5 different height stock cheekpieces. This allows shooters to get just the right comb height to match scope and ring height for precise alignment between the scope and shooter’s eye.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To change the cheekpiece, simply remove the recoil pad and installed length spacers, slide the cheekpiece about 3\/8\u201d rearward, and lift it out of the stock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Savage
Stock adjustment accessories, even the required different length screws are included.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I shortened the stock a \u00bc inch and increased the comb height one level to fit me and the scope I was using. Oh, and that recoil pad happens to be the softest, squishiest I have ever felt and it soaked up all the recoil of the 6.5 CM, making the gun a joy to shoot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Specs<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Calibers            22-250 Rem, 243 Win<\/a>, l308 Win, 6.5 CM (tested)           <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weight             8.7 pounds<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Length             41.5inches (+ or -)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Barrel               20-inch Varmint Weight<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trigger             Adjustable AccuTrigger<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MSRP               $1,379<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Performance<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

So, how did this revolutionary new Savage Arms rifle perform? In a word – Awesome. Working the action did take a little getting used to but then it was as designed – really fast. I ran several runs doing a drill with a shot timer to see how fast I could cycle and shoot the rifle at a steel target from 50 yards offhand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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