Savage 110 Core Predator .22 ARC

The Savage 110 Core Predator has quietly become one of the more interesting entries in the budget predator rifle market, especially now chambered in 22 ARC. Hornady’s cartridge punches well above its class – pushing .224 bullets with high BCs at serious velocity – and Savage paired it with their proven 110 action, a stainless fluted barrel, and the AccuTrigger that adjusts down to 1.5 lbs. At $649 street price, this rifle makes a compelling case for predator hunters who want trigger quality without paying for a custom job.

Quick Verdict – Is It Worth $649?

✓ Best for: Predator hunters who prioritize trigger quality in a budget 22 ARC bolt gun
✓ Price: $649–$729 street
✓ Key strength: AccuTrigger adjustable to 1.5 lbs – best factory trigger range in this price tier
✗ Not ideal for: Weight-conscious hunters or those who want an integrated Picatinny rail out of the box

Real-World Performance on Paper and in the Field

The Savage 110 Core Predator 22 ARC delivers on its sub-MOA guarantee in a meaningful way. With Hornady 88gr ELD-M loads, the 22″ stainless barrel with a 1:7 twist consistently produces 0.4–0.6 MOA groups when the AccuTrigger is dialed to 1.5 lbs – that trigger adjustment alone is worth more than most shooters realize at this price point. Velocity runs approximately 3,050 fps with the 88gr ELD-M, generating around 1,819 ft-lbs of energy, while the lighter 62gr ELD-VT screams out at roughly 3,400 fps for flat-shooting varmint work. Effective predator range stretches to 700–800 yards with a quality optic and proper doping, which is genuinely impressive for a rifle under $730. The 60-degree bolt lift cycles smoothly and doesn’t interrupt your sight picture on follow-up shots the way a 90-degree action can.

Applications – Predators, Varmints, and Beyond

Coyote and Fox Calling: This is the rifle’s home turf. The AccuTrigger set to 1.5 lbs gives you a precise, predictable break when a coyote steps into your lane at 200 yards, and the stainless barrel handles wet early-morning setups without the rust anxiety you’d have with a blued finish. The 22 ARC’s flat trajectory and high-BC bullet selection make ranging errors more forgiving than a 223 Remington at distance – a real advantage when you’re calling in low-light conditions and estimating range by eye.

Long-Range Varmint Work: Prairie dog towns and ground squirrel fields are where the 22 ARC’s ballistic advantage over 223 Rem really shows. The 75gr ELD-M at 3,250 fps retains velocity and energy well past 500 yards, and the 1:7 twist handles every high-BC .224 bullet on the market. The Savage 110 Core Predator isn’t a benchrest rifle, but 0.4–0.6 MOA groups mean you’re not leaving performance on the table at varmint distances.

Night Hunting with NV/Thermal: PMAG compatibility is a quiet but practical advantage here – the same magazines used in AR-platform thermal setups simplify your kit. The threaded 5/8×24 muzzle is suppressor-ready, which matters when you’re running a can for night work. The 22 ARC’s moderate recoil and flat trajectory pair well with thermal optics at ranges where wind reading becomes the limiting factor, not the rifle.

Ergonomics & Handling – How It Feels to Shoot

The AccuFit stock system is genuinely useful – swapping LOP spacers to dial in fit for different shooters takes about two minutes and no tools, which matters if you’re fitting the rifle to a youth hunter or a larger-framed adult. The gray/olive synthetic stock looks the part for predator work and handles field abuse without complaint, though it does feel hollow and plasticky when you knock it against a truck door – it’s a budget stock and it feels like one. At 7.2 lbs, the Savage 110 Core Predator 22 ARC is noticeably heavier than the Ruger competition by half a pound, which adds up on a long walk-in coyote setup but isn’t a dealbreaker for most stand hunters. The 60-degree bolt lift keeps your hand close to the stock and cycles faster than the 90-degree alternatives – a small but real advantage in a called-shot scenario.

Aftermarket & Upgrade Path for the 110 Core

The first upgrade costs nothing – adjust the AccuTrigger to 1.5 lbs using the included tool, and you’ve effectively installed a $130 aftermarket trigger for free. Before mounting any optic, swap the included Weaver-style bases for Picatinny rings ($25–40) to open up your optic options fully. The Savage prefit barrel system is the platform’s biggest long-term advantage: a Criterion or Shilen prefit in 6mm ARC or 6.5 Grendel runs around $325 and swaps without replacing the action, giving the Savage 110 Core Predator 22 ARC genuine versatility across seasons. For stock upgrades, the MDT HNT26 chassis in Savage 110 configuration ($350) transforms the rifle into a chassis system without changing the action, though at that investment level you’re approaching the cost of a different rifle entirely.

Pros & Cons – The Honest Breakdown

Strengths:
✓ AccuTrigger adjusts to 1.5 lbs – best factory trigger range in production 22 ARC bolt guns under $750
✓ Stainless fluted barrel – corrosion resistance for all-weather predator hunting, sub-MOA guarantee
✓ 60-degree bolt lift – faster cycling than 90-degree 2-lug alternatives
✓ Savage prefit barrel system – easiest caliber swap in production; 6mm ARC or 6.5 Grendel prefits available
✓ PMAG compatible – AR-style magazines, widely available and inexpensive
✓ AccuFit adjustable LOP – fits youth to adult frames without aftermarket stock
✓ 0.4–0.6 MOA real-world accuracy with Hornady 88gr ELD-M

Limitations:
✗ 7.2 lbs – 0.5 lbs heavier than Ruger American Gen II Predator 22 ARC at similar price
✗ Weaver-style bases included – Picatinny requires $25–40 adapter purchase
✗ AccuFit stock feels hollow and plasticky compared to premium alternatives
✗ Not Remington 700 footprint – limits some aftermarket stock and chassis options
✗ 22 ARC in 110 series is recent – limited long-term owner data vs established calibers
✗ No integrated rail – Ruger Gen II includes this standard

Competitors & Alternatives Worth Considering

The Ruger American Gen II Predator 22 ARC is the most direct competition – it’s $20–40 cheaper, lighter at 6.7 lbs, and includes an integrated Picatinny rail. What it doesn’t have is a trigger that adjusts to 1.5 lbs; the Ruger’s factory pull sits around 3 lbs and isn’t as fine-tunable. The Howa 1500 Mini Action 22 ARC offers a quality two-stage HACT trigger and excellent fit and finish, but costs $150 more and doesn’t close the gap on trigger adjustability. The Savage 110 Ultralite Predator 22 ARC shares the AccuTrigger advantage but costs $600 more for the Proof Research carbon barrel – justified only if weight is your primary concern.

Who Should Buy the 110 Core Predator?

The Savage 110 Core Predator 22 ARC is the right rifle for predator hunters who want the best factory trigger in a budget 22 ARC bolt gun and plan to keep the rifle long-term – the prefit barrel system means you’re buying an action you can grow with, not just a single-caliber tool. It also suits hunters who work in wet or humid conditions where stainless steel pays dividends over time. Look elsewhere if you’re weight-conscious and covering miles on foot – the Ruger American Gen II Predator 22 ARC saves you half a pound at a lower price, and for most predator hunting distances, the trigger difference is manageable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does the Savage 110 Core Predator use standard AR-15 magazines?
A: It uses AR-style PMAG magazines in the 6.5 Grendel/6mm ARC pattern – not standard AR-15 5.56 magazines. These are widely available and inexpensive.

Q: What is the effective range of 22 ARC for coyotes?
A: With 88gr ELD-M at 3,050 fps, ethical coyote range extends to 600–700 yards with a quality optic and proper wind reading.

Q: Can I swap the barrel to a different caliber?
A: Yes – the Savage prefit system allows caliber swaps to 6mm ARC, 6.5 Grendel, and 22-250 Remington without replacing the action. Criterion and Shilen offer prefits around $325.

Q: Does it need a Picatinny rail adapter?
A: The included Weaver-style bases work with Weaver-pattern rings. For Picatinny rings, add a $25–40 adapter – a minor but real extra cost.

Q: What suppressor thread pitch does it use?
A: 5/8×24, which is standard for .224 caliber suppressors.

Q: How does the AccuTrigger adjustment work?
A: A tool is included. Adjusting the internal blade changes pull weight from 1.5 to 6 lbs – no gunsmith required, takes under five minutes.

Final Verdict – Best Budget .22 ARC Trigger?

The Savage 110 Core Predator 22 ARC wins one contest clearly – no other production bolt gun under $750 in this caliber gives you a factory trigger adjustable to 1.5 lbs, and that matters more than most shooters expect until they feel the difference on a called coyote. Add stainless steel corrosion resistance and the prefit barrel system for long-term versatility, and the slight weight penalty and missing Picatinny rail become acceptable trade-offs for the right buyer.

The Savage 110 Core Predator 22 ARC isn’t the lightest or the cheapest option in the 22 ARC bolt-gun market, but it delivers the best factory trigger in its price tier and backs it with a stainless barrel, PMAG compatibility, and a caliber-swap system that extends the rifle’s useful life well beyond a single application. For predator hunters who understand what a 1.5-lb trigger break actually means at 400 yards on a called coyote – this is the rifle to buy at $649.