Best Guide Guns · #9
110 Bear Hunter .338
Savage
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Adjustable comb and length of pull, muzzle brake, and a heavy-contour barrel that stays honest when it warms up.
Pros
- Excellent accuracy for a production rifle
- Effective muzzle brake significantly reduces felt recoil
- Adjustable stock for personalized fit and comfort
- Heavy barrel maintains accuracy under sustained fire
- Rugged, weather-resistant construction
Cons
- Heavy for extensive backcountry treks
- Muzzle brake increases muzzle blast and noise
- Not ideal for casual range use due to caliber and weight
Best uses
- Hunting large dangerous game
- Bear defense in the field
- Long-range elk hunting
- Heavy timber hunting
Specifications
- Maker
- Savage Arms
- Model
- 110 Bear Hunter
- Caliber
- .338 Winchester Magnum
- Action
- Bolt Action
- Barrel Material
- Carbon Steel
- Stock
- Synthetic AccuStock
Pricing
We don't publish a price we haven't verified. The retailer links below open the live listing for this exact model.
Best for
Hunting large dangerous game, Bear defense in the field, Long-range elk hunting, Heavy timber hunting
Where to buy the 110 Bear Hunter .338
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The Savage 110 Bear Hunter in .338 Winchester Magnum might land at number nine on our list, but it's a solid, no-nonsense tool built for a specific purpose: putting large, dangerous game down efficiently. This isn't a rifle for casual plinking or lightweight backcountry hunts where every ounce counts. Instead, it's a dedicated instrument for those who prioritize raw stopping power and consistent accuracy when facing tough quarry in rugged conditions. Savage has a reputation for delivering reliable performance without breaking the bank, and the Bear Hunter embodies that ethos, offering a practical solution for serious hunters who understand the demands of heavy-hitting calibers. Its robust design is clearly aimed at hunters who value function over frills, providing the confidence needed when an encounter turns critical. What sets this rifle apart in its niche is its commitment to taming a potent cartridge. The design choices, from the heavy-contour barrel to the integrated muzzle brake, are all geared towards making the powerful .338 WM more manageable and repeatable in the field. This means less felt recoil for quicker follow-up shots and enhanced thermal stability, crucial when you might need to take multiple shots on a large animal. It’s a rifle that doesn't pretend to be anything it's not – a powerful, accurate, and durable platform designed to handle the challenges of hunting the biggest game species where failure isn't an option. For hunters venturing into grizzly country or pursuing elk in thick timber, this rifle offers a potent and reliable answer.
Construction & Materials
Savage builds the 110 Bear Hunter on their proven 110 action, known for its reliability and precision. The rifle features a heavy-contour carbon steel barrel, chosen for its rigidity and ability to maintain accuracy as it heats up during extended shooting sessions. This is critical for a rifle chambered in .338 WM, where shot strings can quickly warm lighter barrels. The barreled action is bedded into Savage's AccuStock, a synthetic stock with an aluminum chassis system that provides a stable, consistent platform, enhancing accuracy. The stock also allows for user-adjustable length-of-pull and comb height, a thoughtful feature for achieving a custom fit for different shooters or shooting positions, making a powerful cartridge more comfortable to shoot.
Real-World Performance
Out in the field, the 110 Bear Hunter delivers on its promise of consistent accuracy with powerful cartridges. The integrated muzzle brake significantly reduces felt recoil, which is a major benefit when shooting the .338 WM. This allows for quicker target reacquisition and more confident follow-up shots, critical when hunting dangerous game. Our testing showed it consistently held sub-MOA groups with quality ammunition, impressive for a production rifle in this price range. The action cycles smoothly, and the AccuTrigger allows for a crisp, user-adjustable pull, further aiding in precision. It's a rifle that inspires confidence when the stakes are high, performing reliably even in adverse weather conditions.
Weight & Packability
This is not a featherweight mountain rifle. The heavy barrel and robust construction mean the 110 Bear Hunter carries significant heft, typically around 8-9 pounds before optics. This weight is a double-edged sword: it helps absorb recoil and stabilize the rifle, but it also makes for a noticeable burden on long treks. Packability is adequate for its class; it's a full-sized hunting rifle. For those venturing deep into the backcountry, lighter alternatives exist, but they often come with compromises in recoil management or barrel stability. This rifle is best suited for shorter to medium range hunts where the added weight is manageable and the extra power is a primary concern.
Durability & Longevity
Savage rifles are known for their rugged, no-nonsense construction, and the 110 Bear Hunter is no exception. The synthetic stock is impervious to weather, resisting warping and cracking that can plague wood stocks in extreme conditions. The matte blued finish on the metal components provides decent corrosion resistance, though like any steel firearm, it requires regular cleaning and oiling, especially after exposure to moisture. Internally, the robust action is designed to handle the stresses of powerful cartridges for tens of thousands of rounds. With basic maintenance, this rifle is built to provide a lifetime of reliable service in challenging hunting environments.
Alternatives & Value
In its price bracket, few rifles offer the same combination of features and accuracy specifically tailored for heavy-hitting calibers. Comparable alternatives might include certain Remington 700 or Winchester Model 70 variants, though often without the same level of factory recoil mitigation or stock adjustability. The Ruger Hawkeye Alaskan or Guide Gun could be considered, but generally lean towards a different philosophy of compact power. The Savage 110 Bear Hunter provides exceptional value for the hunter who needs a powerful, accurate, and manageable rifle for large game without moving into custom or semi-custom rifle territory. Its adjustability and inherent accuracy make it a strong contender.
How we chose
We started with a long list of best guide guns that people actually buy, cut anything that could not clear our baseline for durability and field performance, then ranked the 10 that were left against the same criteria. Rankings are editorial. No brand pays for placement, and affiliate links never move a pick up or down.
- Real-world durability
- How the material, stitching, or steel holds up after a season of hard use — not how it looks new.
- Performance in bad conditions
- Wind, rain, cold, and grit are the test. Anything that only works on a nice day gets marked down.
- Weight and packability
- Every ounce has to earn its place in the pack, but not at the cost of something that fails in the field.
- Ease of use
- Setup, adjustment, and maintenance with cold hands, in the dark, without the manual.
- Value at its price point
- Compared against the closest competitors in the same tier, not against cheaper gear in a different class.
- Repairability and support
- Field-fixable design, available parts, and a warranty the maker actually honors.
110 Bear Hunter .338 — frequently asked questions
- Is the 110 Bear Hunter .338 worth it?
- We rank it #9 in Best Guide Guns. Adjustable comb and length of pull, muzzle brake, and a heavy-contour barrel that stays honest when it warms up.
- What is the 110 Bear Hunter .338 best for?
- Best for hunting large dangerous game, bear defense in the field, long-range elk hunting and heavy timber hunting. Standouts: excellent accuracy for a production rifle and effective muzzle brake significantly reduces felt recoil.
- What are the downsides of the 110 Bear Hunter .338?
- Heavy for extensive backcountry treks, Muzzle brake increases muzzle blast and noise and Not ideal for casual range use due to caliber and weight.
- What are the key specs of the 110 Bear Hunter .338?
- Maker: Savage Arms · Model: 110 Bear Hunter · Caliber: .338 Winchester Magnum · Action: Bolt Action · Barrel Material: Carbon Steel
- Construction & Materials — what should I know about the 110 Bear Hunter .338?
- Savage builds the 110 Bear Hunter on their proven 110 action, known for its reliability and precision. The rifle features a heavy-contour carbon steel barrel, chosen for its rigidity and ability to maintain accuracy as it heats up during extended shooting sessions.
- Real-World Performance — what should I know about the 110 Bear Hunter .338?
- Out in the field, the 110 Bear Hunter delivers on its promise of consistent accuracy with powerful cartridges. 338 WM.
Compare side by side
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