Savage MSR-10 Rifle

Am Shooting Journal ^ | 1/31/20 | C Hodgkins

[w1n1]

Savage Arms clever MSR acronym for branding the guns, using the tagline "MSR stands for Modern Savage Rifle". Although the four-gun family includes two MSR-15 models in 5.56mm (the Recon and Blackhawk), our focus here will be on a dynamic duo of aptly named, hard-hitting MSR-10s, the Hunter and the Long Range. And while the company’s slick new AR-15 rifles are already gaining a reputation as straight shooters, the chance to zero in on building a better AR-10 was a perfect fit for Savage – offering opportunities to play to the brand’s strengths, including long range accuracy and innovation.

SAVAGE MAY BE BEST KNOWN for its extensive collection of bolt-actions for hunting, competitive shooting and plain old plinking, but the company has also been in the AR business, off and on, for years, quietly creating custom barrels for other manufacturers.

Simply put, the AR-10 platform offered Savage engineers a chance to innovate. According to Al Caspar, president of Savage Arms, "One of the stumbling blocks to unbridled creativity with the AR15 platform is the nagging need for conformity – in other words, keeping the rifle compatible with a variety of accessories. With AR-10s, there are far fewer such constraints. Savage engineers were able to think outside the box to bring game changing features to both the MSR Hunter and MSR Long Range."

While developing its modern, precision AR-10s, Savage also addressed other longstanding shortcomings of MSRs designed for larger cartridges.

"For example," Caspar added, "AR10s have traditionally been heavy, bulky and unwieldy. We tackled these issues head-on, shaving off unnecessary weight and trimming size with a smaller, lighter chassis that strikes a perfect balance between performance, fit and function. As a result, both the MSR-10 Hunter and MSR-10 Long Range feature a compact AR-10 design that feels and handles more like an AR-15." Read the rest of Savage MSR 10 rifles.

[eartick]

Savage engineers were able to think outside the box to bring game changing features to both the MSR Hunter and MSR Long Range.”

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Thanks for posting. Hopefully, from my experiences, that cycling issues were addressed.

I have not seen an AR10 that was not sensitive to the ammo.

That is why I carry an M1A NM. I can feed this thing anything.

I am going to keep my ears open on this one and see if it is worth investing in.

[TexasGator]

“I have not seen an AR10 that was not sensitive to the ammo.”

This is an MSR-10, not AR-10.

[rdcbn]

Biggest problem for AR-10 is that a lot of commercial ammo uses powder optimized for 24-26 in barrel bolt guns, not an 18 in DI semi auto

Really would love a reliable, light weight AR 10. Most of the current offerings are way too heavy and not that reliable

[Joe 6-pack]

"I have not seen an AR10 that was not sensitive to the ammo."

That's kind of like saying, "I have not seen a child that was not sensitive to food." If you know a kid likes tater tots and chicken nuggets and hates rye bread do you say he's sensitive to food?

I have an Armalite AR10A4. I shoot a lot of bulk surplus, cheap ammo including steel and brass cased. I haven't experimented with a lot of bullet weights outside of the 147-150 grain range, but haven't had any issues with even the cheapest ancient garbage Portugese surplus.

Yes, like any direct impingement system with dirty ammo, you will get some fouling (especially with the shorter burn time and incomplete combustion in a 16" barrel before things enter the gas tube), but a quick wipe of the BCG every 2-300 rounds (less often with better quality ammo) and mine runs just fine.

[volunbeer]

The M1A NM remains one of the finest firearms in history - good choice!

[eartick]

Well you are one of the lucky ones. Congratulations

[eartick]

Yes I understand. That is why I said I would keep ears open to see how well the Savage operates.

[JimRed]

Scary looking to snowflakes, so it’s illegal in New Jersey.