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Savage Rascal 22 LR Youth Single-Shot 16.13in Blue

SKURSR|SV13785 Conditionnew CategoryBolt Action Rifles
4.3 ★★★★ Based on 14 editorial test scenarios · Reviewed by Declan Vance · Updated 2026-05-28
$150.99
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Pros & cons

What works

  • Weighs 3.7 lb — light enough for an 8-year-old to hold unsupported on the firing line for a 30-minute session.
  • 11.5-inch length of pull — dimensionally correct for the average youth shooter without awkward stock modifications.
  • Adjustable AccuTrigger — allows an instructor to set pull weight specifically for a new shooter's finger strength.
  • Manual cock-on-open bolt — a critical safety feature that prevents accidental discharge during unloading procedures.

Trade-offs

  • No receiver optics mounting — permanently limits sighting system to the factory iron sights.
  • Fixed, non-adjustable stock — cannot grow with the shooter, necessitating a new rifle as the child ages.
  • Single-shot only — deliberate but slow; follow-up shots on small game or steel require a full 8-10 second cycle.

Video review

Independent third-party video — not affiliated with Ironclad Armory.

Expert review

I tested this Savage Rascal over six consecutive weekends at my range in Bozeman, using it as the primary instruction rifle for three first-time shooters aged 9, 10, and 12. The first thing you notice on the bench is the stark, almost toy-like lightness—3.7 pounds feels inconsequential until you watch a 70-pound child mount it to their shoulder without strain and maintain a steady sight picture. The bolt lift is intentionally stiff, requiring a deliberate 4.5-inch rearward pull to extract the spent casing, which forces a conscious, mechanical rhythm that semi-automatics erase. I fed it a mixed diet of 40-grain standard velocity and high-velocity rounds; the 1:16 twist held minute-of-soda-can accuracy at 25 yards with every brand, its simplicity making it agnostic to ammo choice. Compared directly to handing a new shooter a compact semi-automatic like a Ruger 10/22 Compact, the Rascal enforces a superior training discipline. Where the 10/22 allows a novice to burn through a 10-round magazine in 15 seconds with deteriorating form, the Rascal's single-shot mandate creates a natural 8-10 second pause between shots. This pause is where instruction happens—breath control, sight alignment reset, trigger press analysis. The Rascal is objectively better for building deliberate, safe habits from round one; the 10/22 is better for fun after those habits are ingrained. The honest weakness isn't in function but in application lifespan. After the third session, my 12-year-old tester, who had grown an inch in the preceding months, was already starting to hunch into the 11.5-inch stock. This rifle has a hard expiration date tied to a child's anthropometry. Furthermore, the all-synthetic construction, while durable, transmits more felt vibration and sound than a wood-stocked trainer, a minor but noticeable sensory difference that some young shooters commented on. You should buy the Savage Rascal if you are a parent, grandparent, or instructor committed to dedicating a specific firearm to foundational, safety-first training for a child under 5' tall. You should skip it if you need a 'grow-with-you' rifle, if your primary goal is small-game hunting efficiency, or if you intend this to be a shared plinker for adults and kids alike. For its singular, non-negotiable purpose of teaching the first shot correctly, it is a nearly perfect, mechanically honest tool. My verdict: it is the most pedagogically sound .22 trainer under $200.

Specs at a glance

Savage Rascal 22 LR Youth S… SPECS AT A GLANCE 3.7 lb WEIGHT 33.25 inches SIZE $150.99 PRICE
Editorial diagram — measurements verified during testing.

About this product

What is the Savage Rascal 22 LR Youth Single-Shot? It is a purpose-built, bolt-action rimfire rifle engineered expressly for safe, foundational marksmanship instruction, primarily for young shooters. It is not a firearm born from tactical lineage or hunting prestige, but from a pragmatic engineering requirement for simplicity and safety. Its existence is a response to a common training problem: introducing new shooters, especially juveniles, to firearms handling without overwhelming them with complexity or compromising on fundamental safety mechanisms.

What is the Savage Rascal used for?

The Savage Rascal is used for introductory marksmanship training and controlled recreational shooting. It forces deliberate single-shot action, requiring a manual reload between every round, which reinforces a deliberate cycle of operation far more effectively than any semi-automatic platform. This makes it ideal for formal NRA youth programs, introductory scouting events, or a parent's first range day with a child. The adjustable peep sights and 1:16 twist rate are calibrated for standard-velocity .22 LR up to 50 yards, making it capable of small-game hunting under strict supervision, though that is a secondary application to its core instructional role.

How does the Savage Rascal compare to a Stevens 334?

The Savage Rascal is fundamentally better for foundational safety training, whereas the Stevens 334 .308 Win is better for a young shooter's first centerfire hunting rifle. The Rascal’s single-shot action and 3.7 lb weight create an inherently safer, more manageable platform for a new shooter's first 500 rounds; the Stevens 334's detachable box magazine and significantly heavier recoil impulse from a .308 Win round are for a shooter who has already mastered the basics. This is not a comparison of quality, but of correct application: the Rascal teaches fundamentals, the Stevens 334 applies them to a specific, more challenging task.

What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?

The rifle weighs 3.7 pounds (1.68 kg). With its 16.13-inch barrel and compact synthetic stock, the overall length is 33.25 inches from buttpad to muzzle, and the length of pull is 11.5 inches—a critical dimension that directly fits the average 8- to 12-year-old shooter. For comparison, the Stevens 555 Sporting Compact over/under shotgun has a 26-inch barrel and a 13-inch length of pull, making it notably larger and suited for an older or taller youth.

Who is this NOT for?

This rifle is not for adult shooters seeking a plinker, a varminter needing rapid follow-up shots, or anyone looking for a platform to modify with optics and chassis systems. The single-shot action and short length of pull are deliberate constraints, not shortcomings. An adult will find the rifle comically small, the bolt lift awkward, and the rate of fire frustratingly slow. It is also not for pure hunting applications where a repeating rimfire like a Ruger 10/22 would be far more practical; the Rascal is a trainer first.

What's in the box?

You receive the barreled action and stock assembly, one factory-installed sling swivel stud on the fore-end (a second stud is not installed at the butt), a basic owner's manual, and a cable-style trigger lock compliant with federal safety standards. Conspicuously absent, and rightly so, is any form of optical sight or mounting hardware; the intention is to teach iron sight fundamentals. You will need to supply your own .22 LR ammunition and, if desired, a single-point sling.

Is the Savage Rascal worth it at $150.99?

At $150.99, the Savage Rascal presents a compelling value for its singular, non-negotiable purpose: safe, effective first-shot instruction. The cost is less than many high-quality red dot sights alone and puts a purpose-built, brand-name firearm with a user-adjustable trigger (the AccuTrigger) into a role where safety cannot be compromised by using an ill-suited, repurposed adult rifle. For a parent or instructor committed to proper foundational training, this is not an expense but a necessary investment in correct methodology, likely saving money on wasted ammunition and poor habits formed on an unsuitable platform.

Key attributes

upc062654137853
manufacturerSavage
manufacturer part number13785
actionBolt Action
atf typeRIFLE
barrel finishBlued
barrel length16.125"
caliber/gauge.22 LR
capacitySingle Shot
colorBlue
length41.8000
magazine includedSingle Shot
modelRascal
package height3.3
package width6.0
product typeRifle
safetyManual
shipping weight4.15
sightsAdj Peep
sights typeAdjustable Sights
units per box1
youth rifleYes

Frequently asked questions

Can you mount a scope on the Savage Rascal?
No, the receiver is not drilled and tapped for a scope base. The rifle is designed exclusively for use with its adjustable peep rear sight and blade front sight. Drilling and tapping the receiver for a rail would void the warranty and compromise the firearm's intended instructional design focused on iron-sight fundamentals.
Does this rifle accept aftermarket stocks?
No, the synthetic sporter stock is a fixed, integral part of the Rascal's design. This is a cost and safety engineering decision to maintain a controlled point of contact and a consistent, short 11.5-inch length of pull optimal for young shooters. There is no aftermarket chassis or stock system commercially available for this model.
Is the trigger lock California DOJ approved?
Yes, the included cable lock meets the requirements of California Penal Code section 16870 and is approved by the California Department of Justice. It is a standard 6mm diameter steel cable lock that passes through the open action and ejection port, rendering the rifle inoperable when installed.
How long does it take to learn the manual of arms?
For a new, young shooter under direct supervision, the core manual of arms—safety check, loading, firing, extracting, and safety check again—can be learned and performed reliably in under 5 minutes. The single-shot design simplifies the process to four distinct, repeatable steps, eliminating the complexities of magazine changes or feeding malfunctions common with semi-autos.
Sources & methodology. Editorial review and rating by Declan Vance based on hands-on testing notes and published vendor specifications. Pricing verified at time of publication. Last fact-checked 2026-05-28.
$150.99