Savage Arms M25 Walking Varminter 223 REM, RH, 22 in, Matte Blk, Syn Stk, 4+1 Rnd, Accu-Trgr, Like-New Condition

For those of us who still enjoy mobile pursuit, Savage has developed a gun built for the mobile hunter. The Savage Model 25 Walking Varminter incorporates the Model 25 action with a modern stock and the superb AccuTrigger. It is a rifle that challenges many conventional attitudes about varmint gun design, from its long bolt and narrow pistol grip to the slightly paunchy detachable magazine and the gradually narrowing finger groove that runs the length of the fore-end.

In short, the Savage looks like very little else on the market. Traditionalists may look at the Walking Varminter with disdain, shaking their heads at the avant-garde styling and perhaps saying something about Savage's radical styling. Just another plastic gun.

If you appreciate synthetic stocks, plastic magazine boxes and unconventional designs then this may be the rifle for you. 

It's hard to pick up the Walking Varminter without appreciating the way it points and handles. The textured pistol grip is narrow, but the hand naturally comes to position. The finger groove on the fore-end makes it easy to grip and steady the rifle, and the 22-inch, heavy sporter barrel gives this rifle a natural, between-the-hands balance.

Bolt function was smooth and steady, and the AccuTrigger is fantastic, breaking cleanly at just under three pounds. The two-position safety is located on the right side of the bolt, and although it functioned flawlessly, it requires a long shove to move it into the Fire position.

The receiver is drilled and tapped, though the screw holes are placed pretty far apart.   The barrel has a dull, non-glare finish, and the crown is recessed to prevent damage to the rifling.

The detachable, four-round box magazine is lightweight and easy to load, but it was sometimes difficult to get the magazine secured in the rifle. 

There's a lot to like about the Varmint Hunter, but the absolute best reason to buy this rifle is the way it shoots. The gun is very accurate, producing a sub-m.o.a. group right out of the box with 40-grain Hornady V-Max ammunition.  Those results are hard to argue with.

The Walking Varminter is a likable gun. It's easy to carry, fun to shoot and extremely accurate. And for the hunter who grew up hunting on foot, the Model 25 begs you to lace up your boots, dump a handful of cartridges into your pockets and head out to the woods in search of game.