Savage RXR22
There tends to be a lot of 22 rimfire rifles on the market today. There are lots of reasons for this, but this review is not about the reasons. Instead I am taking a thorough look into the Savage RXR22. The RXR22 is a lightweight semi-automatic 22 long rifle with some features that make it a great deal in the saturated 22 market.
I received a Gun Metal Gray RXR22. Which just means the stock is a gray color. The barrel and receiver of the firearm are a black color. Savage also has a Flat Dark Earth version. I was surprised to find out that they don’t have an all black version. The main key points of the RXR22 are its compatibility with 10/22 magazines, barrels, and trigger groups. This gives you some options to expand the RXR’s capabilities.
From Savage, the RXR22’s synthetic stock comes with some decent features. Probably the first thing you notice about the stock is that it has a 4 slot picatinny rail at the front. It would make a nice spot to put a little bi-pod. Right behind the pic rail is a metal sling swivel stud. There is also another stud at the rear of the stock. The forearm and the pistol grip of the stock have some decent texture. The pistol grip also comes with two extra “grip inserts”. The RXR22 comes with the medium size installed. I swapped out for both the small and large one, then proceeded to install the medium one and use it. Having these inserts is a nice touch. Lastly, the stock has a rubber buttpad to keep it in place on your shoulder.
The heart of any rifle, even a 22, is the receiver and barrel. The receiver on the RXR22 is polymer. I have no problem with polymer receivers on 22’s, especially with the advancement in polymers over the last 10 years. Built into the receiver is a top picatinny rail. This is a good thing, especially since out of the box there are no sights on this rifle. On the right side of the receiver is an extended charging handle. It sticks out about an inch and does reciprocate when firing the rifle. Having the charging handle extend out a little farther than other semi-auto 22’s I own, really made charging the rifle easier. On the rear of the receiver is a hole for cleaning, thank you Savage for this. 22’s get dirty, and being able to properly clean the barrel from the chamber end is a big plus.
10/22 trigger assembly installed in RXR22 receiver
Attached to the RXR’s receiver is the barrel, of course. The barrel attaches just like any 10/22 barrel, with a 2 screw clamp system. This design allows the RXR22 to be compatible with aftermarket 10/22 barrels. Yes, I tried it, different 10/22 barrels do fit. The RXR factory barrel is 16.5 inches long and tapers down to the 1/2x28 threads at the muzzle. Savage does have a removable plastic insert in the stock so that bull barrels will fit, if you choose to swap out the stock barrel. Savage uses a button rifled barrel with the standard 1 in 16 twist rate.
Dots are 1 MOA
I was pleased with the accuracy I got out of the Savage RXR22. However, I did not mount a huge magnified optic to it and shoot it at 100 yards. After all, the RXR is a lightweight 22 rimfire rifle. So I mounted a 5 MOA red dot I had lying around on it. Even with the large dot size, which limits me seeing small targets, I was able to keep 10 shot groups under 2 inches. This was at 25 yards. Various types and brands of ammunition were used. Most groups were under 1.25 inches with one being right at an inch. I chose 10 shot groups because it gave me a better average over the standard 3 or 5 shot groups. Being that the RXR is imported by Savage, and not built in the USA, I was pleased with the accuracy outcome.
10/22 trigger housing installed in receiver, RXR22 trigger assembly next to it for comparison
The trigger assembly on the RXR22 is interesting, in a good way. As far as the trigger pull, it is better than some more expensive 22’s. My sample came in at a 4.5 pound pull, no pre-travel, but with some creep during the pull. It’s a good trigger for a $250 rifle. The trigger housing on the RXR also holds the magazine release and the bolt hold open lever. The magazine release is extended, but only sticks out wider on the right side of the rifle. This is so you can push the release lever with your trigger finger. If you are left handed, you are out of luck. It needs to stick out on the left side also. Also on the left side, in front of the mag release, is the bolt hold open lever. This lever works way better than the tiny 10/22 ones you might be used to. A cool design in the RXR22 is that if you do not like the trigger assembly, or you want to upgrade it, you can. Savage designed the RXR22 to take complete 10/22 trigger housings. The advantage to the 10/22 trigger housing is that you can use all the available aftermarket goodies like extended mag releases, match triggers, and different bolt hold open levers. To do this, the RXR has a quick release pivoting system to pop the factory trigger assembly out. Then you just set it aside and install a new 10/22 compatible one. The only notable difference is that you will need the two 10/22 pins that hold the trigger assembly in as the Savage trigger assembly mounts differently. Yes, I tried this also and the 10/22 trigger assemblies do fit and function.
10/22 trigger assembly and magazine installed into RXR receiver and stock
One of my favorite aspects of the RXR22 is the compatibility. I previously mentioned the barrel and trigger assembly. But the RXR also uses Ruger 10/22 magazines. However, they do not lock the bolt back like the factory Savage magazine. But, if you swapped the trigger assembly out, the bolt wont lock back even on the Savage mag. Because of the compatibility with all these parts, you can basically set up the Savage RXR22 just like you want it.
The Savage RXR22 is a really fun gun to shoot. I was really surprised at how well it performed. Accuracy was decent and so was the factory trigger. Not coming with sights does add a little to the price, since you have to get a red dot or something for it. It is a 22LR, so pretty much any red dot or optic will work and mount to the top pic rail. I really appreciated the RXR22 being lightweight. It might be a great 22 rifle for a child, even though the length of pull on the stock might be a little bit long for them. When I used the RXR22 at a local steel challenge match, its lack of weight really helped the rifle swing from target to target. It performed way past my expectations in the match. The only problem I had was that it did not want to manually eject a live round, after the string of fire, at that steel match. It did this twice to me. One time I cycled the bolt 3 or 4 times and the extractor finally pulled the cartridge out, the other time I had to use a knife to get under the rim and pop it out. It is possible that the chamber was getting dirty and caused this. I was using CCI Minimags, so I do not suspect it was an ammunition problem. The RXR only comes with 1 magazine, luckily I have a metric ton of 10/22 mags. The RXR magazine does have a little tab that holds the bolt open after the last round, or should I say “did”. That little tab proceeded to break off almost immediately, it did not make it through 3 full magazines. Luckily the piece fell out and the magazine still works, it just doesn’t lock the bolt back when empty. Lastly, since the RXR22 has a threaded barrel, I did put a suppressor on it and use it quite a bit. Of course it made it quieter, but it also helped it function better with lower powered ammunition , like the Gold Metal Target ammo I have. Being able to have the 10/22 compatibility is probably my favorite thing about the Savage RXR22.
When I first received the Savage RXR22 I wasn’t sure how it would perform. Let’s just say it exceeded that thought. I really like shooting the RXR, it is a lot of fun. It’s accurate enough to do everything I did with it. It is threaded so you can make it quiet, Savage even has their own suppressor line for that. In my opinion, the key selling point for the Savage RXR22 is its modularity with aftermarket 10/22 accessories. If you want a fun little 22LR that you can add stuff to , the Savage RXR22 could be it.
Firearms Insider Reviews - Key Points
Claim to Fame:
Inexpensive semi-auto 22LR that has trigger, barrel, and magazine compatibility with Ruger 10/22
Target Market:
Anyone wanting a fun lightweight 22LR that has 10/22 compatibility
Features, Benefits, and Specifications of this product:
Caliber: 22 Long Rifle
Weight: 4.6 pounds
Rugged polymer receiver with integral Picatinny top rail
16.5” Precision button-rifled barrel with recessed target crown
Twist Rate: 1:16
Threaded barrel – ½”x28
10-Round rotary magazine with polymer body and metal feed lips
Accepts aftermarket Ruger 10/22 compatible magazines, triggers, and barrels
Quick-release trigger group
Metal sling studs
Picatinny accessory rail located under the fore-end tip
Stylish synthetic stock with ergonomic grip
Interchangeable grip inserts
Cleaning port located in the rear of the receiver
Overall Length: 35.25 inches
Length of Pull (LOP): 13.75 inches
What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?
What others are saying?:
5 out 5 stars at Sportsman.com
Fun 22 for all day plinking…
Love this 22LR semi automatic. I can plink all day and not break the bank. It also can accurately reach out and touch something.
Link to other reviews:
Surprisingly I could not find much as of publishing this review
Price point:
MSRP = $259.00
Retail = $230.00 ish
I need it now! Availability:
Guns.com, Midway USA, Palmetto State Armory, or your local dealer
Our Rating:
Pros:
Grip inserts
Takes 10/22 trigger housings, barrels, and magazines
Hole in receiver for cleaning
Threaded for suppressor use
Lightweight
Price
Cons:
Receiver is longer than 10/22, so no aftermarket stock support yet
Mag release is not ambidextrous
Weakish extractor
Need to add a sight, as it doesn’t come with any
Score: 7.50 Good
Favorite Link: Viridian RFX45 review
