In January 2025, Federal Premium launched its newest magnum hunting round, the 7mm Backcountry, and did so with the help of nearly a dozen gun makers  announcing rifles in the new round, too. 

Savage Arms came on board with five rifles chambered in the 7mm BC, all in the Savage 110 line. I recently ran the Savage 110 Ultralite in 7BC, using three different 7BC loads, a top-quality Zeiss V8 scope and a lightweight Scythe-Ti suppressor from SilencerCo.

It didn’t take me long to determine that the Savage 110 in 7BC was a first-rate rifle, accurate, easy to shoot and, as the name denotes, lightweight. Thanks to the design of the 7BC round, the Savage provided magnum hunting power with only a 20-inch barrel, making a suppressor a great and very functional companion to the 110.

Savage worked with PROOF Research to craft that 20-inch barrel, a carbon fiber wrapped, stainless steel barrel. The barrel was also threaded 5/8-24 at the muzzle, the threads protected by a flush-fit cap. The barrel was anchored into a lightweight stainless steel receiver shielded from the elements by a Melonite finish. As the rifle does not have open sights, the receiver was drilled and tapped for optic bases or a rail.

Savage blue printed the action at the factory for a precise lock up and the spiral fluted bolt worked smoothly throughout my shooting.

The detachable box magazine of my rifle held four rounds of 7BC ammunition.

The synthetic, Grey AccuFit Stock sported over molded surfaces on the forend and grip for a solid hold. The rifle’s AccuFit technology provided an adjustable length of pull and comb height for optimum fit, though my test rifle fit me fine right out of the box.

My user-adjustable AccuTrigger broke at a very crisp 1 pound, 8 ounces on average, and can be set between 1.5- and 4.0-pounds. Plus, the trigger featured a bladed safety, in addition to the manual safety located on the tang. 

In all, Savage offers the 110 Ultralite in 10 different chamberings, from 6.5 Creedmoor to .300 WSM, and the rifles in this line weigh in at 6 pounds and under. My test and evaluation 110 Ultralite came in at a very nifty 5.7 pounds. Even with an optic and suppressor, the rifle rig will be an easy all-day carry for the hunter in rough terrain.

Adding optics

Once I had scope bases in place on the rifle’s receiver, I mounted a Zeiss Conquest V8 NA 2.8-20x56 rifle scope onto the Ultralite. The second focal plane scope featured a Ballistic Stop, precise .25 MOA adjustments and an extended elevation turret, plus an extra-large eye box for fast target acquisition. Throughout my shooting, images were sharp-edged with clear delineation between colors and objects. 

Featuring an 8x zoom ratio, the V8 series also includes 1.1x8, 1.8x14 and 4.8x35 magnification models, with various reticle options available. My test V8 featured the Zeiss Advanced Hunting Reticle (AHR) #90 designed with .50 MOA minor hash marks and 1.0 MOA major hash marks for holdover elevation and windage points.

Suppressed and Ready

Federal designed the 7BC round using its Peak Alloy steel case, which allows chamber pressures well beyond what a brass case can contain. Federal used the Peak Alloy case specifically to address the growing popularity of suppressors. 

Suppressors provide many benefits to hunters and other shooters. But adding 6 to 8 inches of suppressor onto a traditional magnum rifle already sporting a 24-inch barrel? Makes for a long, awkward rig in a hunting blind or UTV, and one which will always snag on that branch or brush when a hunter moves through the countryside.

But with the 20-inch barrel the 7BC round was designed to operate with, a shorter and still-suppressed magnum hunter is possible.   

I direct-mounted a SilencerCo Scythe-Ti .30 Caliber suppressor onto the end of my Ultralite. SilencerCo’s first suppressor completely constructed from titanium, the SCYTHE-Ti was only 6.16-inches long and weighed just 7.3 ounces.

The Ultralite plus the Scythe-Ti added up to approximately 46.5 inches long. No, that’s not a shortie rig. Yet, it was definitely handier than an old-school suppressor-equipped magnum measuring out to at least at 50 inches or maybe more, depending on the type of suppressor used.

The Scythe-Ti did a fine job of suppressing sound and reduced the 7BC recoil nicely.

Zeroing In

At my outdoor range, I first zeroed the Ultralite at 50 yards, using 7mm Backcountry loaded with 168-grain Barnes LRX bullets. The V8’s precise adjustment had me zeroed in four shots.

At 100 yards, I shot the 168-grain version of the ammunition, plus 7BC loaded with a 155-grain Terminal Ascent bullet and 7BC with the 195-grain Berger Elite Hunter bullet. (There are two other 7BC options available, too, one featuring a 175-grain Fusion Tipped bullet, the other a 170-grain Terminal Ascent bullet.)

The Ultralite and all three 7BC rounds made MOA and better three-shot groups. My best groups included .90 inches with the 155-grain rounds, .70-inches with the 168-grain and .80-inches with the 195-grain loads. 

I also chronographed my rounds using Caldwell’s VelociRadar unit. The 155-grian 7BC rounds clocked in at 3,182 feet per second (fps) on average, with the 168-grain load at 2,972 fps., and the 195-grain load at 2,849 fps.    

Magnum power from a 20-inch barrel? Oh, yes.

Good Impressions

Throughout my shooting, the Ultralite’s bolt worked very smoothly, the trigger was a pleasure and the recoil pad plus Scythe-Ti reduced recoil to a stronger .308 Win. push to my shoulder. 

The barrel did heat up rather fast, especially with the 155-grain rounds. But at 7BC velocities, this level of heating is expected. The Proof carbon-fiber wrapped barrel did its job, though, and cooled off within a few minutes.

Customer Appeal

Who are some of your top customers for the Savage 110 Ultralite?

Beth Shimanski, Savage’s vice president of marketing, felt the backcountry-style hunter would head up that list.

“The proven 110 action paired with the Proof Research barrel make this a tack driver that won't weigh down your pack,” said Shimanski. “We see hunters who are stalking and packing in for hunts and they love this rifle due to its light weight. However, we also see people who sit in a tree stand and are loving the rifle for that weight plus the accuracy it delivers, while being a stellar value from the factory.”

Educate potential customers about the rifle’s adjustability to fit specific hunters and  shooters. The AccuFit system provides length of pull and comb height adjustments while the proven AccuTrigger can be set by the user from 1.5 pounds of pull to 4.0 pounds.

Point out that Proof Research barrel, and that it is a custom barrel, mated with the factory blueprinted action for exceptional accuracy.

Sales Support

In-store, Savage’s 40-plus sales representatives across the nation provide retailers with in-store training sessions, demos, and range time events. 

“We also offer VIP deals and have the best online training platform in the industry,” Shimanski said. “Our 'Savage Range' training platform allows store staff to learn about Savage technologies and products while earning points toward free product. More information can be sought by sending an email to salessupport@savagearms.com.”

She also noted that the Savage Co-Op program offers dealers the chance to claim credit for online advertising, in-store signage, and television and radio advertising. The program is available for any dealer advertising Savage products. 

Dealers carrying Savage firearms and other products have access to a full range of digital assets to help sell Savage, including images, videos, social media support and more. 

“Our reps work with their dealers and provide additional support as needed for our brand,” Shimanski added. 

Savage does not sell direct to dealers. Savage firearms and accessories are available through 18 nationwide distributors and the dealer Buy Groups Mid-States, Sports Inc, NBS, and Worldwide. 

Savage distributors include Bill Hicks, Camfour, Chattanooga Shooting Supplies, Davidsons, Hicks, Inc., Kinseys, Lipseys, RSR, Sports South, and Zanders. 

The Savage 110 Ultralite rifles have garnered a good deal of media coverage, and there are also dozens of YouTube videos, long and short, featuring the various 110 Ultralites. Those produced by Savage are great for sales staff training as well as for educating your customers.