Mike Powell gives his verdict on another Savage Arms speciality - this time, the Model 16 AccuStalker

Mike Powell

The American firm of Savage Rifles really needs no introduction as the name has been synonymous with well-built, accurate a nd reliable rifles for decades. I have often thought that, in this country, there was something of a resistance to American rifles as they didn’t quite conform to our European way of thinking.

In years gone by American rifles, and indeed shotguns too, were built as workhorses rather than being the works of art some European firearms are, especially on the design front. This has changed somewhat over recent years and now there really are some very attractive American rifles available. One thing that Savage has always produced has been accurate rifles and, no matter what a rifle looks like, it’s not a lot of use if it doesn’t shoot well. I have been able to test and review quite a few Savage rifles over the years and it is fair to say they have all shot very well. The most recent model, the Model 16 Accustalker, has been in production for several years now and in fact there are very few left, which is rather a shame because this has been a very good rifle in every respect.

The Savage Model 16 AccuStalker is a very practical rifle, especially for foxing

This particular rifle came in .243 Win calibre with which I had hoped I could get out on a roe buck, but the lockdown put paid to that idea as the arrival of the rifle coincided with everything shutting down as far as stalking was concerned. Fortunately, I live near farmland, over which I have access for fox control. Regular readers will know that there are a couple of free range poultry farms there, both within walking distance, and written requests were swiftly obtained to enable essential fox control. The Model 16 would therefore become my go to foxing rifle - for a couple of weeks at least!