The Savage logo and name are imprinted on the rifle's bolt. The front gas baffle prevents gases from a pierced primer from traveling down the bolt to the shooter's face.

The AccuTrigger, the most marvelous factory fire control system ever devised, comes standard. On my sample Predator it was set at 2 pounds from the factory. It is adjustable with a provided tool once the action has been removed from the stock. It performed as well as expensive aftermarket units.

The medium-contour barrel measures over an inch thick at the barrel nut and tapers down to .740 inch at the muzzle. Its weight helps steady the rifle when shooting from field positions.

The stock is notable for what it does not have--a massive, heavy forend, aluminum bedding block, or other complicated, weight-increasing features. There are quick-detach studs for a bipod or sling. It is the standard synthetic stock found on other Savage hunting rifles, and it works great. The sample stock did rub the barrel ahead of the recoil lug, but that is easily remedied with fine sandpaper.

The Mossy Oak Brush camo has a polarizing quality--folks hate it or love it. It struck me as garish on the rifle rack but quickly proved itself effective in a wide range of habitat types. The dipped finish does offer an added layer of protection against nature's ills and is easy to maintain. Simply wipe off the mud and blood with a damp rag. Over time, the finish will chip and scratch in places to reveal the original black finish--no big deal for a working gun.

The Predator Hunter preferred Hornady 55-grain TAP ammunition and consistently produced five-shot groups of well under an inch.

I paired my sample rifle with a Leupold VX III 4.5-14X 40mm Long Range scope equipped with side parallax adjustment and Boone & Crocket reticle. (I prefer the B&C reticle over the varmint reticle because it is thicker and easier to see in low light.) The pairing has served well and accounted for a dozen whitetails, several dozen hogs, and even a predator or two.

At 9 pounds, 8 ounces, the combination is not lightweight, but it's not overpowering on long hikes. And the barrel's weight helps settle the rifle when shooting from field positions, allowing an uncommon degree of field accuracy. In one impromptu range session, I dispatched five 16-ounce drink bottles with five shots at 300-plus yards from the top of a truck cab. The test was less than scientific, but it's a great example of how well the rifle handled in the field. It is near perfect for shooting predators or varmints at extended ranges--the person behind the rifle is the only limiting factor.

The three-position safety is located on the receiver tang. The first position locks the action up, the second allows the bolt to cycle, and the third unlocks the sear, allowing the rifle to fire.

Savage is getting things right these days. The newest guns coming out of the plant, including the new F-Class competition rifle and the Long Range Precision Varminter, perform at levels that do not belie their economical price. The Predator Hunter fits the mold; it's a rifle that performs exceptionally at a fair price.