Savage Arms B Series Timberlite Thumbhole 70218 22 LR

Shooting 22 LR bolt-action rifles keeps you grounded. They are affordable to shoot often because ammo costs a fraction of what centerfire ammo does and lacks the noise, muzzle blast, and recoil. Not only is shooting a 22 rimfire inexpensive and fun, it also helps build a solid base in rifle-shooting technique, from trigger control and breathing, to judging distance and reading the wind. Three new target-style 22 LR bolt actions that we thought would be fun to shoot were the Springfield Armory 2020 Rimfire, Savage’s B Series TimberLite Thumbhole, and the Hammerli Arms Force B1. All of these rifles were recently introduced and are said to provide performance and accuracy. The common characteristics of these three rimfire rifles are the 22 LR round, manually operated bolt actions, detachable rotary magazines, and they are optic ready. From there, the features start to differ.

How We Tested

For the last few rimfire rifle reviews, we used either a Vortex Crossfire II 2-7x32mm rimfire SFP scope ($149) with a simple V-Plex MOA reticle similar to a Duplex reticle and a Hawke Vantage IR 3-9x40mm scope ($159), which is equipped with a Rimfire 22 HV reticle for long-distance shooting. We like both of these scopes for their performance and cost. They are just enough scope for plinking and hunting. For optics placement, the Springfield and Hammerli are equipped with Picatinny rails, and the Savage sported a Weaver rail, so mounting the scopes was not a chore. 

After zeroing the rifles at 50 yards, we fired from a bench using a rest and a toe bag to gather accuracy data from three-shot groups. Because Springfield’s 2020 Rimfire has a 1-inch accuracy guarantee for three shots at 50 yards, we used that standard for all the rifles, which was not hard for any of these rifles to achieve with inexpensive and target ammo. We also fired the rifles off hand. Ammunition ranged from inexpensive CCI Blazer with a 38-grain lead round-nose bullet, to target ammo, namely, Remington Target with a 40-grain solid lead bullet and Eley Tenex, likewise loaded with a 40-grain lead bullet and a light lubricant. Here’s what we found. 

Savage B Series TimberLite Thumbhole 70217, 22 LR

$600

The B Series rifle, with a carbon-fiber-wrapped barrel, thumbhole stock, and AccuTrigger, was a lightweight and inexpensive tackdriver. The barrel increases the cost, but if you want a light rifle with very good accuracy depending on the ammo, this is a good option

*TheMagShack.com

The B Series TimberLite Thumbhole is also a new model variant in 2024, though the B series has been around since 2017. The TimberLite variant features Savage’s B Series action mated to a carbon-fiber-wrapped barrel and then fitted into a hardwood thumbhole stock. The rifle without scope or ammo weighs 5.3 pounds. This is a target rifle you can take hunting without the added weight.

The beechwood stock has a gray and black spiderweb finish that looks sharp. We’re not sure why so many firearm manufacturers are placing several logos on the stock. We prefer a cleaner look. The Savage logo was engraved on the side and on the pistol-grip cap. The pistol grip is comfortable to grasp for both left- and right-hand shooters. The fore end is slightly rounded on the bottom, so the rifle can roll side to side when it is on a rest. Sling studs are installed, so you could use the front stud to mount a bipod if you wanted. The rubber recoil pad is rounded at the edges and shoulders without snagging on clothing. It is a comfortable stock to shoot in all positions.

The trigger is Savage’s excellent AccuTrigger that is adjustable from 2.5 to 6 pounds. Our sample had a 2.6-pound trigger pull from the factory, and we used that poundage for our test.

The trigger guard is plastic and oversized, so it is glove friendly. A manual tang safety is good for both right- and left-handed shooters.

The rotary magazine is Savage’s design and is easy to load. The magazine has plenty of room so seating it is simple and easy. Press the magazine release, and the mag drops into your hand.

The scope was simple to mount due to the Weaver base. Even with the thumbhole stock, high scope rings were not needed. Out of the box, the action was stiff, but after about 200 rounds, it started to slick up and was easier to operate. We could cycle the action using two fingers, and that was a good thing because the enlarged bolt knob was close to the scope’s eyepiece. 

The barrel is wrapped in carbon fiber and looks like a Proof Research model. The muzzle is threaded, so a can is an option if you have a tax stamp.

Tucking behind the B Series, we noticed that it was very lightweight. It did not settle down like the heavy Springfield 2020, but that really didn’t matter when we started measuring the groups. Our best three-shot group measured 0.14 inch at 50 yards using Eley Tenex 40-grain lead bullets. Remington 40-grain Target ammo gave us a best group of 0.16 inch. Coincidentally, both the Eley and Remington shot 0.23-inch groups on average. That handily meets Springfield’s standard. The inexpensive Blazer unnerved the TimberLite with a best group of 0.30 inch and an average of 0.31 inch. It seemed like the Savage likes slower target ammo, in lieu of hotter hunting ammo. We did not see a shift in point of impact as the barrel heated up as we have seen with other carbon-fiber barrels after numerous consecutive shots.

Our Team Said: The carbon-fiber-wrapped barrel increases the cost of the TimberLite, and if you want a lightweight rifle with very good accuracy and that is comfortable to shoot, this is a good option.

To collect bench accuracy data, we fired three-shot groups at 50 yards using a rest. We recorded velocities and muzzle energy using a Garmin Xero C1 Pro Chronograph.

Written and photographed by Robert Sadowski, using evaluations from Gun Tests Team members. GT