Savage Arms’ venture into the straight-pull bolt-action market has thus far proven to be a good move for the long-time gunmaker. We tested the .308 Hog Hunter version, and it performed well for an 18-inch-barreled rifle. Savage knows how to build accurate, dependable value-based rifles, and the Impulse is no exception. This model wears a black synthetic stock, and it’s got a hunter-friendly matte-finished barrel.
Some of the features on this rifle that should be noted include an integrated Picatinny rail that is machined into the action. It’s two-stage trigger set the standard for factory rifle triggers long ago. The barrel comes threaded, ready to attach a can, too.
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It should be noted that this Impulse was tested by the group with a Riton Optics 3-9x Primal, which provided half the magnification of optics mounted on other rifles in this test. Even so, it printed a 0.930-inch group at 100 yards. Overall, it averaged 1.33 MOA for all shooters at all ranges.The Impulse’s MSRP is $1,379, which is the middle of the pack in this test, and way, way below the price of any other straight-pull bolt-gun on the market.
