The Savage 110 Ultralite Elite Shines on the Dark Continent
Andy Husek 04.20.24
There is a good chance that if you have been hunting and shooting as long as I have you have heard of the brand, Savage Arms. There is also a good chance that if you have been hunting and shooting that long you probably have some pre-conceived notions about them whether you own one, have shot one or simply read about one. Let’s face it, we all get pretty set in our ways and tend to put the blinders on about things we “think” we already know about. I am here to tell you that you should do yourself a favor and take some serious time to check out what Savage has been doing in the industry. Their new lineup products are impressive to say the least and they are constantly reinventing themselves and pushing the envelope on the innovation and technology front.
Recently I had the privilege of taking their new 110 Ultralite Elite to Africa for plains game in the Limpopo province. One of our favorite places we try to get back to every year for the abundant game and great friendships we have made over the years. This time, however, when I went over there our South African friends could not get over the look and innovation packed into the rifles we brought. In addition to the 110 Ultralite Elite we also had an IMPULSE KLYM (we’ll talk about that in a separate article) in camp and to same they were the talk of the town was an understatement.
Specifically, the 110 Ultralite Elite is such a drastic difference from what you may remember as, “your grandads’ rifle.” Its build on an MDT HNT 26 chassis system with a folding carbon fiber stock. It also features a PROOF research carbon fiber wrapped stainless steel barrel. The rifle was purpose built for hunters looking to shed ounces in the high country or in our case on the dark contentment. I always say Africa is a different kind of hot, and you don’t get to say its Africa hot outside unless you have actually been there to feel it first-hand!
At just under 6lbs this thing is a dream to carry whether you are in the high country out west in chasing Elk and Mule deer of across the pond stalking through the bushveld looking for plains game. After two or three days of long walks you REALLY come to appreciate the simplistic design and lack of tonnage in this rifle as over the course of a week to 10 days a heavy rifle can literally become an anchor.
My rifle was chambered in .300 WIN MAG which is my absolute favorite, all around the world caliber, but if that doesn’t tickle your fancy it also comes in 6 other various calibers from light to heavy. You will surely be able to find a caliber that works for you!
We had another GREAT hunt over there and I got one step closer to completing my spiral horn slam by taking a magnificent Eland. I did miss my opportunity to close it out on a beautiful Bushbuck but that was uh…. operator error….BUT, all the more reason to focus on getting back next year. In addition to the Eland I took Nyala, Kudu, Waterbuck and Sable and in each instance the 110 Ultralite Elite performed flawlessly.
I really like a pistol grip style rifle as it is just a much more natural shooting position for me, and I find that I have much better accuracy and consistency when shooting a pistol grip style rifle. Kudos to Savage for continuing to push the envelope and test the norm of what a hunting rifle should “look” like. If it preforms great, shoots well and functions the way I want it to I could care less what it looks like.
I think with the recent edition of both the IMPULSE and 110 KLYM and now the Ultralite Elite Savage is making great strides to prove that they are no longer to be classified as JUST your grandads old bargain rifle. Some of these newer models command a different price point than what you might be used to seeing from them and rightfully so! When you are making an MDT chassis system with a PROOF research barrel standard components accompanied by tried-and-true innovations from Savage like the Accutrigger, it is a good indicator that Savage is willing to partner with the BEST in order to be the BEST. I challenge you to head over to www.savagearms.com and check them out for yourself. Sure, you will still see all of the old tried and true like the Apex, the standard 110s and the others but watch out for the new kids on the block that are sure to turn heads like they did mine.
As usual we had a great hunting with our friends at Ranchero Safaris and despite hunting for eight days it always seems to go by so quick. I can tell you this, I am excited to get back next year and turn heads once again with newest, latest and greatest from Savage. For more information on the 110 Ultralite Elite head over to www.savagearms.com and check out them out for yourself.
