Although Savage rimfire rifles have an excellent reputation for accuracy and affordability, their polymer stocks leave a lot to be desired both aesthetically, and ergonomically. While it was easy enough to upgrade the right-hand actions, quality stock options for the left-hand actions were slim, even from the factory. Back at the end of September, Boyds Gunstocks announced that they were offering stocks for left-hand action Savage B series rifles. Now all owners can enjoy a variety of stock shapes, colors, and even custom laser engraving. It just so happened that we had a left-hand Savage B22 project rifle, so I immediately reached out about getting a stock to review.
Our testing and evaluation stock options
Using the Product Configurator, we selected the Savage B Series with Left-Hand Bolt, Detachable Magazine. For shape, the Left Hand Heritage was selected. This is a very classic shape and a good fit for this rifle. From the 14 colors (plus six walnut options) we selected Nutmeg Laminate, which is a nice mix of dark honey and browns. For the finish and length of pull, we went with the standard options. The recoil pad is the 1/2 inch with Boyds logo. Because we wanted a classic and classy look, the full wrap fleur-de-lis laser engraved checkering was added as well. The end result is a beautiful stock that’s definitely heirloom quality.
Installation
Boyds holds some very tight tolerances on their stocks, which means that sometimes a little fitting is required. They mention this on their site when ordering. I’m happy to say that this was another perfect “drop-in” installation though. After removing the bolt and verifying an empty chamber, I unscrewed the action screws and popped the barreled action out of the stock. It went right into the new stock without any issues. After torquing the action screws, I checked for magazine fit and made sure that they dropped free. A quick check to verify that the bolt ran smoothly and the safety worked, and I was done. Installation is really a quick and simple job but the upgrade makes a huge difference.
Deep, rich colors from the Boyds laminating process
Where their other color options are typically a bit muted, the browns here have some depth. This is due to the laminating process. Boyds starts with 37 layers of laminated wood. Each layer is stained before lamination, ensuring deep color penetration. Those thin sheets are then combined using glue and massive pressure, which drives adhesives deep into the wood. That’s what gives them their unique look. Every stock has a slightly different grain pattern, not just because each is custom-made. This process also makes them durable and incredibly stiff. A final clear coat leaves them nearly impervious to temperature and humidity as well. And the color doesn’t fade over time.
Note that the photos shown were taken at different times, under different lighting conditions. Where I usually try to keep them uniform, the variety here really shows off the warmth and depth of the colors. Attentive readers may also notice that there are two different optics in the photos, as we swapped scopes during the review period.
Laser engraved checkering
As mentioned, we opted for the full wrap fleur-de-lis laser engraved checkering. From an ergonomics standpoint, this provides enhanced grip without the associated costs of hand-cut checkering. A quick search indicates that traditional checkering can easily run from just under $100 to well over $200. Which makes this $64 option a bargain. Beyond how it feels, just look at it. It’s beautiful. Both the grip area and forend got this aesthetic and functional treatment. And the net result is a rifle that has the classic and classy look we’re after.
Additional benefits
One of the most obvious, if somewhat intangible benefits, is pride of ownership. A cold polymer stock doesn’t invoke much emotion. Rich wood with fancy checkering makes this a rifle to be proud of. Ergonomics are also improved, making it more comfortable to shoot. And the more stable foundation of laminated wood probably gives it at least a small edge in the accuracy department. Even with the sizeable scope installed, it’s still light enough for off-hand shooting, and wouldn’t be a burden to carry in the field. Overall, it’s a solid improvement in every way.
Final thoughts
This is great news for southpaws (AKA wrong-handed shooters). Savage has what is probably the largest selection of left-hand action rimfire rifles available. With that huge variety of rifles, it was a smart move by Boyds to accommodate those shooters. And Boyds makes it easy to order a custom stock using their online configurator. On the dropdown, there are now lefty options for bull barrels as well as standard tapered barrels. Our sample stock had a base price of $199. Nutmeg laminate added $19.50 to that price. Laser engraving was another $64, for a total of $282.50. Not inexpensive, but it really does transform the rifle. Check out the full options for Savage B22 rifles and hundreds of others at boydsgunstocks.com.
As always, I’d like to thank Boyds for providing this left-hand Savage B22 stock for our testing and evaluation. It’s great to see a company expanding its product line to accommodate customer requests, even if lefties only make up approximately 10% of the population.