SAVAGE ARMS RASCAL HARDWOOD LH
Posted May 19, 2023
Savage Arms Rascal Hardwood LH is an affordable and highly reliable bolt-action youth rifle that is a great starter gun for young shooters and provides an excellent transition from a beginner shooter into a more experienced one. The child-sized rifle has a crisp, two-stage AccuTrigger, a manually operated cocking system, and a manually operated extractor that allow for very precise aiming and shot placement.
The short barrel and light weight make it easy to handle and allow it to be maneuverable in the field. It is extremely safe when handled properly and is ambidextrous, which means that both left and right handed shooters can use it. The gun also features adjustable peep sights for precise accuracy, making it even more suitable for young shooters.
The Stock and Finish
The rifle is available in a variety of stock options, including hardwood, synthetic, and youth-sized models. Each of these stock options offers its own set of pros and cons, with the hardwood stock being the most durable and offering the best balance when holding and shooting. The hardwood is also finished with a matte finish that provides additional protection from the elements and offers a stylish look.
The Synthetic stock, on the other hand, is the lightest and least expensive option, and is best suited for novice shooters. Its two-tone finish provides additional protection from the elements and is more comfortable to hold compared to other models.
The rifle also offers a youth-sized stock, which is slightly shorter and narrower than the regular stock. This option is specifically designed for younger shooters, as it is more comfortable for them to handle and shoot. It also helps to keep the gun steady and steady shooting, which is especially important for novice shooters.
Barrel and Accuracy
The 16.5” carbon steel barrel is rigid and very accurate. The cold hammer-forged process used to make the barrel makes it incredibly precise and ensures that the gun will remain accurate no matter how often it is fired. Coupled with the adjustable peep sites, this combination makes the rifle incredibly accurate for its price range. The muzzle velocity is also good, coming in around 750 FPS with standard .22LR ammo.
Trigger
The AccuTrigger is one of the rifle’s main features. It is crisp and offers very little take-up, which allows the shooter to be very precise when shooting. It is also adjustable, allowing you to set your preferred pull weight. This makes the rifle even more suitable for novice or young shooters, as they can easily adjust the trigger for a lighter pull if needed.
Ease of Use
The overall design of the rifle is very user-friendly, making it the perfect pick for beginners. The bolt-action allows for easy loading and unloading of the ammo, and the cocking mechanism is a simple push-button operation. The peep sights are adjustable and offer a clear sight picture.
One major advantage this rifle offers over similar models is the manual extractor. Having the extractor manually operated is important, as it helps to minimize the risk of damage to cartridges due to the expanding gases when the gun is fired. This helps to ensure the rifle remains reliable and allows it to shoot more rounds before needing to be re-checked.
Price Point
The Savage Arms Rascal Hardwood LH has a very reasonable price for its features and quality. It is among the most affordable youth bolt-action rifles on the market, and considering all the features it offers, it is arguably a much better option than more expensive youth models. This makes it an ideal choice for novice shooters or young shooters, as it provides an excellent starting point for someone looking to gain experience.
Conclusion
The Rascal Hardwood LH is an impressive and reliable rifle from Savage Arms. It is a great starting point for any novice shooter, offering many features that allow for precision and accuracy. The affordable pricetag makes it an ideal purchase for those looking to take their first shots with a rifle. Its high-grade carbon steel barrel gives it good accuracy and muzzle velocity, and features like the AccuTrigger and the easily adjustable sights make it simple to get on target. Its manual extractor also ensures that it will remain reliable and helps minimize the risk of damage to the cartridges. The overall design is ergonomically friendly, making it easy and comfortable to handle. All in all, the Savage Arms Rascal Hardwood LH is an excellent starter rifle for any new shooter or young shooter looking to gain experience.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
-Lightweight, single-shot rifle with easy-to-operate design
-Ambidextrous design allows for left-handed shooters to enjoy the rifle with equal success
-Accurate, reliable and safe design that makes it perfect for beginners
-Affordable price makes it an attractive option for budget-minded buyers
-Comes with adjustable rear peep sight for improved accuracy
-The hardwood stock adds a elegant, classic feel
Cons:
-Not suitable for long-range shooting because of its single-shot design
-Smaller size and short barrel makes it poor choice for those looking for varied uses
-Cock-on-close system requires a lot of force to pull back
-Not suitable for extended shooting sessions due to the manual cocking system
-No scope rail to enable users to attach a scope
Who Should Buy
The Savage Arms Rascal Hardwood LH is designed for left-handed youth shooters, giving them the opportunity to start shooting with the same features found on higher-priced firearms. This is an ideal choice for parents and youngsters who are looking for an affordable and accurate firearm for getting started in the shooting sports. It is also great for experienced shooters who want to enjoy the benefit of a youth gun.
Anyone looking for an affordable, quality rifle for smaller shooters should consider the Savage Arms Rascal Hardwood LH. However, anyone looking for a longer-range shooter or needing a more traditional rifle should look elsewhere.
Comparisons
| SAVAGE ARMS RASCAL HARDWOOD LH | Similar Product 1 | Similar Product 2 | Similar Product 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single Shot, bolt action | Single Shot, bolt action | Single Shot, Bolt Action | Single Shot, Bolt Action |
| .22 LR caliber | .22 LR caliber | .22 LR caliber | .22 WMR caliber |
| AccuTrigger | AccuTrigger | Adjustable Trigger | Adjustable Trigger |
| Hardwood stock | Hardwood Stock | Beechwood Stock | Synthetic Stock |
| Synthetic ergo-grip | Laminated Stock | High Visible sights | Barrel Band Sights |
Features / Specs
• Single-shot
• Bolt-action with manual cocking lever
• Calibers: .22 LR and .17 HMR
• Hardwood stock
• Left-handed
• Drilled and tapped for optics
• Adjustable peep sights
• Grooved receiver for scope
• Overall length: 32.5"
• Barrel length: 20"
• Weight: 2.5 lbs
Popular Accessories
- Sights: The most popular sights for the Rascal Hardwood LH are the Williams Fiber Optic or Fire Sight sets, with their adjustable or fixed apertures and fiber optics, and the TruGlo Fiber Optic sight set, which provides excellent visibility in low-light conditions.
- Scope Mounts: To get the most out of your Rascal Hardwood LH, you’ll likely want to secure a scope mount. A popular choice is the DIP Trugrip Aluminum Scope Mount (available in Weaver & Picatinny options) or the Weaver K-Series Multi Slot Scope Mount.
- Ammo & Magazine: Of course, you'll need a reliable source of ammunition for your Rascal. A favorite is the CCI Mini Mag .22 LR. You'll also want a magazine designed for the Rascal, like the Ruger BX-25 10-Round Magazine.
- Stock Sets: To give your Rascal the look and feel you prefer, check out the Boyds Hardwood Gunstock – Tamarack Laminated with Pillar Bedding, which features adjustable length of pull, seamless butt plate integration, and more.
- Slings & Bi-pods: To carry and stable your Rascal Hardwood LH, you may want to invest in a comfortable carrying sling (like the Eagle Industries S.T.R.I.K.E. One Point Sling) and/or attach a shooting-stabilizing bi-pod (like the Caldwell XLA Pivot Bipod).
Accuracy
The SAVAGE ARMS RASCAL HARDWOOD LH is widely praised for its accuracy. Using the company's patented 60-degree bolt handle, the gun requires very little effort to load and cock. This combined with a 11-inch carbon steel barrel and adjustable peep sights make it easy to achieve pinpoint accuracy at both short- and long-range distances. The accuracy of the SAVAGE ARMS RASCAL HARDWOOD LH has been tested by many respected gun organizations and magazines. Results have consistently indicated that the gun is capable of remarkably fine accuracy, making it an asset to any shooting enthusiast.
