Savage 110 Bear Hunter .300 WSM 23 in Right Hand
Video review
Expert review
About this product
What is the Savage 110 Bear Hunter .300 WSM 23 in Right Hand? It's a purpose-built bolt-action hunting rifle chambered in .300 Winchester Short Magnum with specialized features for heavy-recoil cartridges and adverse field conditions. The rifle incorporates Savage's AccuFit system for customizable fit and an adjustable muzzle brake for recoil management, all wrapped in Mossy Oak Break-Up Country camouflage on a synthetic sporter stock.
What is the Savage 110 Bear Hunter used for?
This rifle is engineered specifically for hunting large, dangerous game at extended ranges where energy retention matters. The .300 WSM cartridge delivers approximately 3,500 foot-pounds of muzzle energy with 180-grain bullets, making it effective for bear, elk, and moose out to 400 yards. The straight-fluted 23-inch stainless barrel maintains accuracy during sustained fire while the adjustable brake reduces felt recoil by roughly 30% compared to unbraked magnums.
How does the Savage 110 Bear Hunter compare to the Stevens 334 Rifle?
The Savage 110 Bear Hunter outperforms the Stevens 334 Rifle in recoil management and long-range precision at nearly double the price point. Where the Stevens 334 in .308 Win delivers about 2,600 ft-lbs energy with 18-inch barrel limitations, the Savage's .300 WSM generates 3,500 ft-lbs and maintains sub-MOA accuracy beyond 300 yards thanks to its 23-inch button-rifled barrel. The Stevens 334 serves better as a budget-friendly deer rifle, while the Savage 110 Bear Hunter is built for professional guides and backcountry hunters facing larger game.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The rifle weighs 7.5 pounds (120 ounces) unloaded with an overall length of 44.5 inches. The 23-inch barrel features straight fluting that reduces weight by approximately 6 ounces compared to a non-fluted equivalent while improving heat dissipation. The synthetic stock measures 13.5 inches length-of-pull at its longest setting and accepts standard 3-round detachable box magazines.
Who is this NOT for?
This rifle is not suitable for new shooters or those sensitive to recoil, even with the muzzle brake. The .300 WSM generates significant muzzle blast and recoil energy exceeding 25 foot-pounds, which can develop flinching habits in inexperienced operators. It's also overkill for whitetail deer under 200 yards where cartridges like the Stevens 334 in .243 Win — our editorial take would be more appropriate with half the recoil.
What's in the box?
The rifle ships with one 3-round detachable box magazine, a set of AccuFit spacers for length-of-pull adjustment (adding 0.5-inch increments up to 1.5 inches), and comb height inserts providing 0.25-inch to 0.75-inch elevation changes. The muzzle brake includes a 3/16-inch hex wrench for adjustment between three settings, though I recommend the medium setting for most hunting scenarios as it balances recoil reduction and muzzle blast.
Is the Savage 110 Bear Hunter worth it at $967.99?
At $967.99, this rifle delivers exceptional value for hunters requiring magnum performance without custom gunsmithing costs. The AccuTrigger system provides a clean 2.5-pound break that rivals aftermarket triggers costing $200+, while the stainless steel construction ensures reliability in wet environments where blued steel would fail. Compared to custom-built alternatives starting at $2,500, the Savage 110 Bear Hunter achieves 90% of the performance at 40% of the cost, making it one of the few production rifles I recommend for Alaska brown bear guides — our editorial take.
Specs at a glance
Pros & cons
What works
- Adjustable AccuTrigger with 2.5-6 pound pull range—crisper than most factory triggers
- Stainless steel barrel and action resist corrosion in wet environments—lasts 3x longer than blued steel in salt air
- Muzzle brake reduces felt recoil by 30%—manageable for most shooters despite magnum cartridge
- AccuFit system adjusts length-of-pull from 12.5 to 14 inches—fits shooters from 5'4" to 6'4" without modification
Trade-offs
- Muzzle brake increases blast noise by 12 dB—requires electronic hearing protection even outdoors
- Synthetic stock lacks texture—adds $35 for Talon Grips or stippling for wet-weather security
- .300 WSM ammunition costs $2.75-4.00 per round—50% more than .308 Win for practice
- No iron sights included—requires immediate optics investment starting at $200 for reliable hunting
Key attributes
| upc | 011356570697 |
| manufacturer | Savage |
| manufacturer part number | 57069 |
| action | Bolt Action |
| barrel length | 23" |
| caliber/gauge | .300 Winchester Short Magnum (WSM) |
| capacity | 2 + 1 |
| safety | Tang |
| shipping weight | 11.4 |
Frequently asked questions
- Does it work with standard .300 WSM ammunition?
- Yes, it chambers all SAAMI-spec .300 Winchester Short Magnum ammunition from major manufacturers like Federal, Hornady, and Winchester. The 23-inch barrel achieves optimal velocity with 180-200 grain bullets, typically yielding 2,950-3,050 fps depending on load. Avoid reloads exceeding 64,000 PSI as the action is rated for standard pressure loads only.
- Can I mount a suppressor on the muzzle brake?
- No, the factory muzzle brake is not designed for suppressor attachment and lacks standard threading. The barrel measures 0.750 inches at the muzzle with no external threads, requiring a gunsmith to thread it to 5/8x24 TPI if you want to direct-thread a suppressor. Plan for $150-200 and 2-3 weeks turnaround for proper threading and crown work.
- How long does shipping take to Montana?
- Firearms ship via FedEx 2Day with adult signature required, arriving within 3 business days to most Montana addresses. All shipments require FFL transfer, so allow additional 24-48 hours for your licensed dealer to process paperwork. During hunting season (September-October), expect 1-2 additional days due to high volume.
- Does it include scope mounting bases?
- No, the receiver is drilled and tapped for Savage standard #8-40 screws but does not include bases. You'll need separate scope mounts—I recommend Warne Maxima Steel bases (about $45) or EGW Picatinny rails ($60) for heavy optics. The receiver spacing is 6.5 inches center-to-center for front and rear bases.