Field test: Savage 110 Hog Hunter 2.0 hunting bolt-action rifle in .308 Winchester

In what feels like arctic cold, I wait eagerly for game, staring across a ditch into the opposite slope. How fitting that the Savage Hog Hunter 2.0 was delivered in time for the last driven hunt of the season. Now the sows just had to come. Incidentally, the new test gun from the Savage 110 family is only available in .308 Winchester calibre.

The Savage 110 Hog Hunter 2.0 in detail

The highlight of the new edition of this bolt-action rifle is the barrel length of just 42 cm. Depending on the user, the overall length varies between 94.5 and 97 centimetres, as the length of the Savage "AccuFit" stock can be freely adjusted using the spacers supplied. The overall length of 97 cm was the best fit for the tester. The stock of the Hog Hunter 2.0 has also been given a makeover: from a plain, very nice dark green to a plain, very nice dark green with speckles. The "lively" pattern is applied to the upper and gives the whole thing a more tactile feel. The comb is dead straight. The lower part of the buttstock tapers slightly towards the bottom. The addition of the different spacers mentioned above is practical and well thought out. The wide and very soft rubber butt plate absorbs recoil well. A stud for a sling swivel has also been included. The pistol grip is quite flat and, in addition to a classic-looking checkering, also features extra grooves at right angles to the grip. All models in the 110 series have the company's own Accustock bedding system: basically, a solid aluminium bedding block in the stock, which extends far into the front of the fore-end. The action is supported over the entire surface and connected to the stock with one or two screws. The bedding is designed to ensure the greatest possible stability and repeatable accuracy. The medium contour barrel is made of carbon steel and has a 5/8 "x24 muzzle thread. The blued finish of the barrel is matte and appears somewhat rough, but this matches the stock design very nicely.

Savage 110 Hog Hunter 2.0: bolt and magazine

The now longest-serving bolt-action repeater, which has been in continuous production since 1958, still has a steel receiver and a classic two-lug bolt. The revised Savage Hog Hunter 2.0 provides the hunter a clean and firm grip, and thus also fast follow-up shots, even with gloved fingers when used on driven hunts thanks to the oversized bolt handle. The throw of the two-lug bolt is 90 degrees. Although the distance between the bolt handle and the optics is short, it is still easy to manage. The sheet steel detachable box magazine with polymer base plate holds four cartridges in a staggered arrangement, and a further cartridge can be loaded directly into the chamber. In view of the good workmanship, the magazine makes a very high-quality impression overall. Insertion into the magazine well is easy and the cartridges can be fed from the magazine without any problems.

Trigger and safety on the Savage Hog Hunter 2.0 – AccuTrigger and AccuRelease, what's it all about?

Savage's AccuTrigger features the safety blade, which the manufacturer calls AccuRelease, and which must be dueliberately activated to fire the shot. This safety system is designed to prevent a shot from being accidentally released by external influences. The trigger pull weight on delivery was around 1,300 grams, but can be adjusted by the shooter and adapted to personal preference. It was reduced to around 1,000 g for the test. In itself a very good and clearly breaking, crisp trigger without frills. Well, maybe not quite, because there is still the small AccuRelease blade. For new Savage disciples, this will certainly be a slight adjustment at first, but after the first five shots you will have got used to it. The three-position safety located on the receiver tang can be conveniently and comfortably (and quietly) operated with the thumb. The safety acts on the trigger. If a large red dot is visible, the rifle is ready to fire. If you expect a cocking indicator in the form of a small pin protruding from the back of the bolt, you will look in vain for something like that here.

Savage takes a special approach when it comes to the safety. There is a small pin in the back of the bolt which protrudes a little further when cocked, but can't be felt. A small button to the right of the action also acts as a cocking indicator. When the rifle is cocked, the button protrudes further upwards. When the trigger is pulled, it snaps back to the starting position. You first have to familiarise yourself with this so that you can see the differences. If you want to remove the bolt, you have to press the same button down and pull the trigger at the same time. As with many American firearms, the bolt has play when repeating and does not run perfectly smoothly. With a little oil and love, and a user who enjoys cycling, this peculiarity can certainly be remedied quickly.

Optics and silencer on our Savage 110 Hog Hunter 2.0: Leupold VX-5HD 2-10x42 and A-Tec Optima50

A Picatinny rail for mounting a red dot sight or riflescope is included with the rifle. A Leupold VX-5HD with a magnification range of 2-10x and an objective lens diameter of 42 mm was mounted on it. The click adjustment is 1 cm/100 m for elevation and windage. At 31.9 cm, the VX 5HD is very compact and, at 536 grams, also pleasantly light. The field of view at 100 metres is 18.83 to 3.83 metres. You have to invest 1,499 euros for this riflescope. The illuminated duplex reticle is located in the 2nd focal plane. The petite riflescope is equipped with Motion Sensor technology, which switches off the illuminated dot after five minutes of inactivity and switches it on again when movement is detected. The intensity of the illuminated dot can be adjusted by pressing the Leupold logo on the left turret. The lenses provide a very clear image on the one hand and a very good twilight performance corresponding to the 42-mm objective diameter on the other. The adjustment turrets are located on the 30-mm main tube: on the left with a push button for the illuminated dot and the battery compartment, on the right the windage adjustment and in the center the CDS-ZL2 ZeroLock turret with two turns of adjustment range. To adjust elevation, a locking button must first be pressed. During the first "turn" it still protrudes slightly, during the second it is flush and can no longer be felt. The compact riflescope from Leupold is impressive across the board. The illuminated dot is sharp-edged and clear, and the motion sensor intervenes if you forget to switch off the illuminated dot. The compactness of the optics fits the short rifle perfectly. Nowadays, a 42-mm lens is more than enough for daytime hunting and the appropriate technology can and may now be used for everything that goes into the twilight or night.

The test combo also included the A-Tec Optima50 silencer. The overall length of 230 mm is impressive, which extends the Hog Hunter 2.0 forwards by 150 millimetres. The overall length of the gun including the Optima50 is therefore 112 cm. The name of the Optima50 also reveals the outer diameter. The stated suppressing power in .308 Winchester caliber is 31 dB. The design of the A-Tec suppressor is modular. It can be shortened and also used for a different caliber by exchanging the two front modules. The inner workings are made of stainless steel, the casing of aluminium, which explains the total weight of 400 grams. The silencer costs 399 euros (RRP).

The Savage Hog Hunter in action: practical test on the hunting grounds

On the shooting range, the Savage was used on the 100-meter line and on the running boar at 50 meters. The test gun was shot with the Hornady International ECX bullets. However, the Brenneke TAG delivered by far the best daily result, a 15 mm group, from the test gun. Unfortunately, the barrel of the Savage 110 Hog Hunter 2.0 remained cold during the driven hunt. There were plenty of roe deer and wild boar to be seen, but either they were not in line with the clearances or they were simply too far and too fast to make a good shot. Nevertheless, it was a good opportunity to sound out the possible weaknesses and strengths of the rifle in everyday hunting. During the day's hunting it was noticeable that the rubber butt plate was very soft and almost sticky to clothing. Correcting the aim position in winter clothing was therefore somewhat tedious. Since barrel shortness in rifles seems to have become a quality feature for some hunters, this one with its 42 cm barrel should rank right at the top. But joking aside: the vast majority of ammunition in medium calibers is optimised for barrels around 56 cm. If such ammunition is used in short barrels, not all the powder burns. This is why there are now also special loads for short-barreled rifles. Furthermore, short barrels naturally also lack bullet velocity if, for example, only 90 instead of 100% of the powder is burnt. This is particularly noticeable with lead-free bullets, which thrive on velocity. As mentioned above, some ammunition manufacturers have already responded to these requirements and have placed corresponding cartridges with fast-burning powders on the market. At the end of the day, lovers of short barrels should definitely pay attention to their shooting distance in order not to fall below the 600 m/s at which most bullets still respond well in game. The complete package of Savage Hog Hunter 2.0, silencer and Leupold scope has a total weight of 4.17 kg. The advantage of the very short and easy-to-handle gun is somewhat diminished by the A-Tec suppressor. However, this should not be seen as a negative, as its modular design mieans that its length (and correspondingly, the damping power) can be reduced and customised. The large silencer is no obstacle at all for blind hunting. The overall length achieved is ideal for use on and in any type of raised hide or pulpit. The good sound reduction of the A-Tec silencer was particularly noticeable on the shooting range.

Savage 110 Hog Hunter 2.0 specs and price

Test summary of the Savage 110 Hog Hunter 2.0 in .308 Winchester

For an unbeatable price of just 999 euros (RRP in Germany), you get a very fine rifle that can be wonderfully manoeuvrable even with a silencer. The scope supplied by Leupold fits like a glove. All in all, a rewarding set that is impressive in practice and fun to use. The Savage 110 Hog Hunter 2.0 consistently fulfils the requirements in terms of performance, workmanship and design. The price/performance ratio must be rated as above average.

Additional information is available on the manufacturer's website.