When Savage Arms announced their Impulse straight pull rifle, I was intrigued. The idea of a straight pull seems like it could be better than a traditional bolt action where you have to lift the bolt up before pulling it back. Well, Savage sent out their Impulse Big Game chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor for this review. So let’s take a closer look at it.
Savage Arms @ TFB:
Savage Impulse Big Game
Scope and muzzle brake are not included.
- MSRP: $1,449.00
- Barrel Color: Hazel Green Cerakote
- Barrel Length: 22″/55.880cm
- Barrel Material: Carbon steel
- Caliber: 6.5 Creedmoor
- Magazine Capacity: 4 Detachable box
- Right Hand
- Length of Pull: 12.75 – 13.75″ / 32.385cm
- Overall Length: 43.5″ / 110.490cm
- Twist Rate: 1:8
- Receiver Color: Hazel Green Cerakote
- Stock: Synthetic Kuiu 2.0 Verde Camo
- Weight: 8.8 lbs
The Savage Impulse Big Game straight pull action is a little different than I had anticipated. In my mind, when I think of straight pull, I think of the K31 or those Olympic Anschutz rimfire rifles. That is not how the Impulse Big Game action works. As far as I know, all Impulse rifles have the same action. When the bolt is closed, the bolt handle points to about the 5 o’clock position. Once fired, the bolt handle is unlocked and you pull it back. The bolt handle rotates rearward to point at around 7 o’clock and then the bolt can slide back. Push the bolt handle forward to close the bolt and it will lock back in the 5 o’clock position.
Here is a video of my friend Jerry running the bolt. He is not operating for speed but you can muscle the bolt for faster loading.
Unlocking the bolt takes a bit more effort than I was expecting. You really need to pull back with authority. Then slam the bolt back forward to close it fast. I find it best to grasp the bolt knob between my index finger and thumb. This gives me the most leverage on the bolt handle and the rounded knob is comfortable to manipulate.
At the back of the bolt is a cocking indicator and it also doubles as a quick-release button. When the button is vertical, the Impulse Big Game is ready to be fired. Once fired, the button moves inward. You can press that button in with your firing hand thumb while pulling the bolt handle to unlock and unload the rifle without firing it. Just in front, on the left side of the receiver, you can see the bolt catch. Press that to remove the bolt completely from the action for cleaning or maintenance.
Just behind and below the quick-release button is the safety for the Impulse Big Game. Slide it forward to fire or slide it back to engage the safety.
The Impulse Big Game comes with a 4-round box magazine. You can have a total of 4+1 rds in the gun.
The barrel of the Impulse Big Game is fluted with a medium contour. It is threaded 5/8×24 for suppressors or muzzle devices. I mounted my VG6 Lambda PRS65 muzzle brake on the end.
The Impulse Big Game has Savage’s user-adjustable AccuTrigger. The AccuTrigger system is easily adjustable by the shooter, offers a light, clean pull with no creep, and prevents the firearm from discharging if jarred or dropped.
I borrowed my friend’s Harris bipod since the Impulse Big Game only has a sling stud. I have since upgraded to the Magpul MOE bipod. I also switched to my Meopta MeoPro 6.5-20×50 scope.
I found this Impulse Big Game is a 1-MOA gun using Hornady American Gunner 140 gr BTHP. There was a little bit of vertical stringing but not bad for an 8 shot group.
Ignore the large .50 BMG hole. There were 8 rounds of 6.5 Creedmoor in that ventail line of bullet holes.
Without a night vision hood. I am still able to mount a thermal clip-on to the Savage Impulse Big Game. I used my Andres Defense TigIR-6Z+ to the objective bell of my MeoPro scope.
Check Prices on Savage Impulse Rifles
Final Thoughts On The Impulse Big Game
The straight pull action does not seem fast at first but with practice and plenty of manipulations, I can see the action getting smoother and faster. I can now operate the bolt without needing to move my head out of the way. The action is still not as smooth as I would like. I was hoping for effortless manipulation like an Aschutz or the smoothness I’ve seen K31 rifles have. But those have been manipulated for over 40 years so they have a head start on the Impulse Big Game. At 8.8 lbs, it is not that lightweight but it is not too heavy to carry around. The recoil impulse is very mild, especially with the VG6 Lambda muzzle brake. At the time of writing this review, I was unable to find the Impulse Big Game on Savage Arms’ website unless I searched for that specific name. Click here to see the listing. If you only click on “Straight Pull” from their main page, Savage only lists six different rifles. They have one called the Big Game VSX but that is a different rifle from this Impulse Big Game. I am not sure if the Big Game is even offered anymore. But they have so many other variants of the Impulse rifle you can choose from. Thanks to Savage for letting me check out this rifle.
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