It has been just a year ago that Savage Arms introduced two new rifles to its line of rimfire firearms with the introduction of the Revel Classic and Revel DLX, both takedown-style lever guns, adding versatility and uniqueness to the age old rimfire lever gun.
Getting the Savage Revel DLX .22 LR in hand I was anxious to put it to the test in the field. Heading to the woods for a bit of early fall squirrel hunting was the perfect venue to try out the DLX version.
However, a quick comparison is in order to review key differences in the Revel Classic vs Revel DLX:
Savage Revel Classic vs Revel DLX
Revel Classic:
- Barrel: Not threaded
- Stock: Straight walnut stock
- Lever: Oversized loop, useful for gloved hands
- Butt Pad: Plastic butt plate
- Other: Classic styling, increased affordability
Revel DLX:
- Barrel: Threaded for suppressor attachment
- Stock: Contoured walnut stock with stippling for grip
- Lever: Smaller loop, more compact but still larger than standard lever
- Butt Pad: Rubber butt pad for added comfort
- Other: Upgraded stock design, enhances scoped shooting
In short, the Savage DLX provides a modern, enhanced features compared to the Classic, focusing on upgrades like a threaded barrel, improved ergonomics, and more streamlined features. MSRP on the Revel DLX is $599, while the Revel Classic MSRP is $469.
Specifics of the DLX Design
The Action
The Savage DLX lever action is operationally identical to all others past and present. If you push downward and forward, the lever loop retracts. In doing so, you’ll cock the hammer. At the same time, as a cartridge or empty case is extracted from the chamber, it will be ejected through the ejection port. Once reaching its forwardmost position, the lever loop is then swept rearward, moving the bolt assembly forward and picks up the next cartridge and then locks fully into battery.
A three-position hammer is standard on Revel rimfire rifles. The fully cocked position and the rifle is ready to fire. A half-cock position, based on a notch in the hammer, however it should not be treated as an outright safety. And then the hammer in the fully forward position. A two-position crossbolt safety resides on the lower portion of the wrist. Push the safety fully to the left (red will be visible on the safety) and you’re to fire. The DLX’s single-stage trigger incorporates a smooth-faced steel shoe and brakes at about 3 pounds.
Barrel Details
The Revel DLX provides a carbon-steel 18″ barrel that’s threaded 1/2×28 TPI (threads per inch.) It’ll accept a suppressor or other accessory. A checkered steel cap comes standard to protect the threads when not in use. Atop the barrel is a classic notch rear sight with elevator, along with a hooded, fixed-post front unit screwed in place just behind its threaded muzzle.
A tubular magazine is held in place via a bracket attached to the barrel behind the front sight. Twisting the magazine end cap clockwise allows the inner tubular magazine/follower to be removed for loading or unloading. Capacity depends on the chambering. The DLX is offered in three rimfire cartridges: in .22 LR the DLX holds 12 rounds in its magazine, those in .17 HMR and .22 WMR will accept nine cartridges.
Takedown Feature
Both the Savage Revel models are takedown rifles. Pulling a pair of captive takedown pins allows the Revel rimfires to be quickly disassembled into two halves for convenient transport. The process is simple as follows:
- After confirming that the firearm is unloaded, the safety is activated and remains in that condition throughout the disassembly/reassembly process.
- Next, the captive (and non-removable) takedown pins on the bottom of the receiver cover are pressed until they will go no farther. The design may seem familiar to AR owners because it was inspired by the AR-15 takedown system using two pushpins to allow for very simple takedown.
- The lower and upper halves of the rifle is then pulled in opposite directions. Reassembling them requires attention to detail, but a bit of practice makes this a simple process. When disassembled, the two pieces measure 19 3⁄8″ and 23 7⁄8″, respectively, making transport easy.
The DLX Stock…a fresh approach
One could say the DLX stock and for-end are not the norm for a lever gun. The handsome Turkish walnut used for the fore-end and stock has a series of cuts, almost with a vent rib appearance that many will find enhances the eye appeal of the DLX. The foreend itself is very streamlined. It measures 1.257″ at its widest just forward of the receiver. You won’t find sling swivel studs on the forend or the buttstock but you can easily add them if you want them.
The pistol grip-style buttstock matches the design of the fore-end for an aesthetic appeal. Larger vent style cutouts matching those on the fore-end are found on both side of the buttstock that have been routed away. Stippling on the pistol grip enhances a positive purchase when shooting. Savage attached a 0.955″-thick rubber recoil pad to the buttstock. That buttstock allows for a hard insert at the top to prevent snagging when shouldering the rifle. The Savage logo is also embossed on each side of the stock and fore-end.
At the Range with the Revel
Once on the range it did not take long to get the Savage DLX shooting center. I made slight adjustments to windage (by pushing the rear sight via a drift punch), and to elevation (by adjusting the rear sight elevator).
Savage Revel Accuracy
From a supported position at ten yards, I was able to easily shoot one-hole groups using only the iron sights on the DLX. Affix a rimfire scope to this little rifle and it would no doubt be deadly.
Both CCI Mini-Mag and Federal Gold Medal Match produced excellent results out of the Savage DLX.
Hunting with the DLX
With New Mexico’s fall squirrel season starting in early September, timing to try out the Savage DLX in the woods was perfect. Heading to the Sacramento Mountains of southeastern New Mexico to pursue red squirrel at an elevation of about 9000 feet is a pleasant endeavor in the early fall.
Hunting the Red Squirrel is not a guarantee of success. They are smaller than the Eastern gray squirrel, fox squirrel, and the Aberts (tassel eared) squirrel of Southwest New Mexico, Arizona, and Colorado.
As with any squirrel they tend to be evasive and love to be on the lookout from the safety of trees. Since red squirrels in New Mexico tend to inhabit higher elevations that include spruce, fir, and ponderosa pine trees, these are the zones to hunt.
I like to drive or walk along two track forest roads until I see one moving along while searching for food. A more likely scenario is that the squirrel will chatter at you before you have seen them. However, this often gives you a specific tree to try and spot them in once they have vocalized their displeasure of you being in the area.
Transportability and Walking with the Revel DLX
Determined to try the Savage DLX on red squirrel I found myself walking one of these mountain roads with rifle in hand. Like most .22 rifles found the DLX easy to carry despite no sling attachments. I also elected to hunt with the Savage, just as it came right out the box, no scope or suppressor. I did however try out my Gemtech suppressor on the rifle and it easily attached to the DLX after removing the screw on thread protector. Firing a few shots with subsonic ammo made the report of the rifle but a whisper.
After an hour or so effort I finally had a red squirrel chatter at me from a tall pine tree only yards away. Moving slowing and watching the limbs above me I spotted my quarry sitting statue still. Getting a good sight picture was a bit of a challenge. Tree limbs created shadows and the front sight blended in with those shadows. My first shot was a miss, but quickly working the lever, made easier for my big hands with the elongated loop on the DLX, my next shot connected.
Although I have hunted squirrels over the years, I must admit a low powered scope would be a huge advantage especially for eyes that are not as young as they once were. Bottom line I had my first red squirrel in probably 40 years and this hunt brought back fond memories of years gone by.
Final Thoughts
The Savage DLX performed wonderfully in every aspect both at the range and on the hunt. The unique stock and takedown design of the DLX makes this rimfire from Savage well worth a tryout on your next trip to the range or into the woods.
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