The Savage A17 in 17 HMR was American Hunter’s 2016 Rifle of the Year. We weren’t surprised. This little rimfire was the first auto-loader engineered from scratch to handle the pressure of the 17 HMR safely and reliably. The A17 also proved to be very accurate and tons of fun to shoot.

If you like the A17’s award-winning delayed-blowback technology, but prefer to shoot a .22 WMR (Winchester Magnum Rimfire) cartridge, you’re in luck. Savage just announced the A22 Magnum, a new rifle that uses an A17-type action (with innovative interrupter lug), to shoot the .22 WMR cartridge.

The A22 Magnum is chambered for .22 WMR and features the same delayed-blowback auto-loading action as the original A17. The A22 Magnum feature a strong steel receiver, chromed bolt, 10-round rotary magazine, and adjustable Savage AccuTrigger. The A22 employs a thread-in headspace system like Savage’s centerfire rifles. This makes it easier to swap in a match-grade barrel down the line. The A22 also comes with two-piece bases for scope mounts

Advantages of .22 WMR over 17 HMR
We like both rimfire cartridges, but we understand why some shooters may prefer the older .22 WMR over the newer, speedier 17 HMR. Here are some of the advantages of the .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire (WMR):

1. .22 Caliber bores are easier to clean than .17 caliber bores. Good .22-Cal cleaning rods are less flexy than .17-cal rods and a greater range of jags and brushes are offered for the larger caliber.

2. The .22 WMR makes a bigger hole — this makes your groups easier to see at longer range, and the bigger hole can give you a scoring edge in rimfire competitions.

3. The .22 WMR offers a wider choice of ammo manufacturers and bullet types. If a hunter desires a heavier, non-fragmenting bullet, the .22 WMR may be a better choice.

Savage Arms, now part of Vista Outdoor, will be offering many new guns for 2016. The big news is the A22, a .22 WMR version of Savage’s popular A17 semi-auto rifle (chambered in 17 HMR). Also debuting for 2016 are more variants of A17 and B.MAG rifle series, plus as all-new Model 42 Takedown shotgun-and-rifle combination gun. Along with the all-new models, Savage will add new chamberings to existing rifle types. For example, Savage AXIS and AXIS II rifles will soon be available chambered for the popular 6.5 Creedmoor.

Savage New Product Highlights for 2016

Savage A22 Magnum in .22 WMR (NEW)
The new A22 Magnum is chambered for .22 WMR (Winchester Magnum Rimfire) and features the same, innovative delayed-blowback, semi-automatic action as the original A17 (which was chambered in 17 HMR). We expect the new A22 to be popular with varminters who prefer to shoot a bigger, heavier bullet, or who find .22-caliber barrels easier to clean.

Savage Model 42 Takedown (NEW) — .410ga and .22 LR
The Model 42 Takedown is a break-open combo gun that fires rimfire rounds from the top barrel and .410 bore shotgun shells from the bottom. It breaks down with the push of one button and includes an Uncle Mike’s Go Bag for transport.

Savage A17 — Wood Stock, Bull Barrel
New-for-2016 A17 target models feature heavy barrels for increased accuracy and gray wood laminate stocks improved feel and handling. We feel the new laminated stock really improves tha A17 as a general purpose varmint gun.

Savage B.MAG — New Stocks, Heavier Barrel Option
Savage’s B.MAG was built around the 3000 fps 17 Winchester Super Magnum rimfire cartridge. For 2016, three new models have been added to the B.MAG lineup: Target Beavertail, Heavy Barrel, and Sporter.

6.5 Creedmoor Chambered Rifles
Savage Arms has added nine new rifles chambered for the popular 6.5 Creedmoor cartridge. They include the new model 16 Lightweight Hunter, AXIS, AXIS LH, AXIS XP, AXIS XP Camo, AXIS XP Stainless, AXIS II XP, AXIS II XP Stainless and AXIS II XP Hardwood.

See New Savage Guns at SHOT Show
Savage’s new-for-2016 products can be viewed during SHOT Show at the Vista Outdoor booth (#14551). Product photos and specs will appear on SavageArms.com after the show.