Semi-auto rimfire rifles have always held a special place in my heart. They’re affordable to feed, fun to shoot, and perfect for everything from plinking to small game hunting. When Savage reached out with the A22 Timber Tactical that they announced as part of their 2025 lineup, it immediately caught my attention. I’m a sucker for a good-looking laminate stock and threaded barrels, so when these two things come together in one package, I tend to pay attention. Recently, I had the chance to put some rounds through one, and I’m ready to share my thoughts. Let’s dive right into my review of the Savage A22 Timber Tactical!
Savage Coverage on AllOutdoor:
Specifications: Savage A22 Timber Tactical
The Savage A22 Timber Tactical is a semi-automatic rimfire rifle built on Savage’s A22 platform, which has been around since 2016. The Timber Tactical variant is new for 2025 and brings a precision-focused feature set to the table. The heavy profile barrel with spiral fluting is designed to aid in accuracy and heat dissipation during extended shooting sessions. The OD green laminate stock features a vertical pistol grip and rear hook intended for precision shooting off a rest or bipod. Dual forward sling studs allow you to mount both a bipod and a sling simultaneously. The 10-round rotary magazine sits flush with the stock, keeping things streamlined.
- SKU: 47258
- Caliber: .22 LR
- Action: Semi-Auto Blowback
- Barrel Length: 18″ Heavy Profile with Deep Spiral Fluting
- Muzzle: 1/2×28 Threaded
- Magazine Capacity: 10-Round Flush-Fit Rotary
- Stock: OD Green Laminate with Vertical Grip and Rear Hook
- Rail: 20 MOA Picatinny
- Trigger: Adjustable AccuTrigger
- Sling Studs: Dual Forward Studs
- Overall Weight: 6.6 lbs
The MSRP sits at $599, which puts it in the mid-range category for semi-auto .22s. That’s more than a base Ruger 10/22 but you’re getting a few things out of the box that would otherwise require aftermarket upgrades: the 20 MOA canted rail, threaded muzzle, and Savage’s adjustable AccuTrigger.
The Timber Tactical slots in as a precision-oriented variant of Savage’s A22 platform. The feature set reads like a wish list for rimfire precision shooters: heavy fluted barrel, canted optics rail, threaded muzzle, and that gorgeous laminate stock.
“Introducing our precision-engineered rimfire semi-auto rifle, seamlessly blending tradition and innovation. Crafted for discerning shooters, its laminate stock delivers unparalleled durability without compromising on elegance. The action guarantees precise and reliable performance with each shot, ideal for both seasoned marksmen and newcomers honing their skills. Whether in the field or at the range, experience unparalleled accuracy and comfort with the meticulously designed A22 rifle, a testament to our commitment to excellence in firearms craftsmanship.”
First Impressions: Savage A22 Timber Tactical
Out of the box, this rifle is a looker. The OD green laminate is even greener and more striking in person than in the product photos. The spiral fluting on the barrel catches light well and gives the gun a distinctly modern feel against the traditional laminate.
Fit and finish was excellent on my example with no sharp edges, gaps, or tool marks anywhere on the stock. The action felt well-oiled but not caked with that golden factory grease that some manufacturers love to glob onto their guns.
The stock itself is hefty. The laminate adds noticeable weight, and the balance feels a bit stock-heavy as a result. The vertical pistol grip is wide. Even for my adult hands, I couldn’t quite wrap around it comfortably. It didn’t affect my shooting, but I could see it being a comfort issue for younger shooters or anyone with smaller hands who might be plinking all day with this thing. The rear hook on the buttstock is there, and I used it while shooting off bags at 50 yards. I wouldn’t say it’s a game-changer, but I don’t hate it either.
Range Time: Savage A22 Timber Tactical
I put approximately 450 rounds through this rifle across two separate range sessions. Both days were cold with temps in the single digits, so I was either shooting with numb fingers or thick gloves. The magazine loading experience was actually a pleasant surprise. Compared to other rotary magazines I’ve worked with, the A22’s mag was very easy and intuitive to load, even with gloves on.
Here’s where things got interesting. My first range session was with Remington Standard V ammunition, stuff I had on hand from a previous review. The rifle struggled. Failures to eject/feed plagued me for magazine after magazine. I lubed the bolt some more and threw a suppressor on it, hoping the increased back pressure would help. It didn’t. If anything, it made things worse.
So I came back for a second session with high-velocity copper-plated ammunition. Night and day difference. The rifle ran flawlessly with zero issues. Every round cycled, every magazine emptied without complaint. I ran both older high velocity stuff I had lying around and some newer copper-plated loads, all of which performed perfectly.
As far as accuracy goes, I shot at 15 and 25 yards with a Vortex Venom red dot, then moved back to 50 yards with a Riton 1-10 LPVO. Ten-round magazine dumps were averaging right around an inch and a half at 50 yards. Very satisfactory for a semi-auto rimfire. No complaints there.
The AccuTrigger is good. The reset is a noticeable soft clunk that takes some getting used to, but the break itself is clean. It’s widely renowned for a reason, and this example was no exception. The safety worked just fine and didn’t bother me at all.
The Subsonic Problem
I need to clarify I did check the manual before addressing this critique and it says:
“Performance may vary based on brand/type of ammunition, individual characteristics of the firearm, and/or shooting conditions.
Use only new ammunition manufactured to SAAMI specification”
This is where I have to be honest about my disappointment. This rifle has a threaded barrel. That implies suppressor use, especially these days when cans are becoming more and more accessible. If you’re going to suppress a .22, you typically want to shoot subsonic ammunition. This rifle does not play well with subsonics.
I tried. The suppressor didn’t help. It’s not that the gun needs a specific brand or grain weight; it just flat-out needs high-velocity ammunition to run reliably (plated for even better reliablity). That’s a bummer for a gun that’s marketed with a threaded muzzle as a selling point. When I shot suppressed with high velocity ammunition, the gun ran fine, but it’s still supersonic, so you’re not getting the full benefit of the can.
Maybe this would improve with a significant break-in period, but you kind of want that reliable cycling out of the box when you’re spending $599 on a 22 in this day and age.
Final Thoughts: Savage A22 Timber Tactical
The Savage A22 Timber Tactical is a dressed-up plinker, and I mean that in the best way possible. It shoots well for what it is. The accuracy is there, the trigger is solid, and the aesthetics are genuinely impressive. The 20 MOA rail worked great with both optics I mounted, and the overall build quality is exactly what I’d expect from Savage at this price point.
The target buyer for this rifle is someone who wants something that looks elegant, shoots accurately out of the box, and has the option for suppressor use. The keyword being option. If you’re planning to run this gun suppressed with subsonic ammunition regularly, you may want to temper your expectations or buy some aggressive ammo to break it in fast. High velocity copper-plated ammunition is your friend with this rifle, and as long as you stick to that, it’ll serve you well.
All in all, I enjoyed my time with the A22 Timber Tactical despite its momentary pickiness. It’s a good-looking rifle that shoots straight. Just feed it what it wants, and it’ll treat you right.
In closing, I want to say thank you to Savage for allowing AllOutdoor and myself the opportunity to try out their A22 Timber Tactical. That is greatly appreciated. Also, we would like to know what all of you guys and gals think. Do you believe that this good-looking rimfire is worth spending your money on? Would you take this out to the range? Would this be your go-to plinker? Let us know all of your thoughts in the comments below! We always appreciate your feedback.
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