Savage Revel 22 Review: A Lightweight Lever Action Worth a Hard Look

Introduction

The .22 Long Rifle has long been the starting point for many shooters, and it remains a practical choice for training, plinking, and small game hunting. It is inexpensive to shoot, produces minimal recoil, and is quiet enough for most settings. A lever action version adds a classic feel that is hard to match with other action types.

Savage is not the first name most shooters think of for lever actions, but the company has produced them in the past. The Savage Revel 22 is their newest rimfire lever action, and it brings a lightweight, compact package with a few modern touches. This review covers ergonomics, trigger feel, accuracy with several loads, and how the rifle behaves with a suppressor attached.

First Impressions and Ergonomics

The Savage Revel 22 has an 18-inch barrel and a tubular magazine beneath it. The muzzle is threaded, which makes it easy to attach a suppressor. The stock features decorative carving at the rear, including sight slits that are purely cosmetic. It looks the part, but the carving does not contribute to shooting performance.

The most notable ergonomic issue is the height of the comb. With the open sights, the cheek cannot get low enough to acquire a proper sight picture without lifting the head slightly. This becomes more pronounced when mounting a scope. An adjustable comb riser would solve the problem, and it would be a more functional use of the stock design than the decorative carving. As it stands, shooters who plan to use a scope will need to account for the extra height.

Trigger and Safety

The trigger on this sample broke at around three and a quarter pounds on the first pull, then at three pounds on a second check. That kind of variation is common, and most rifles will shift by a quarter to a half pound between pulls. The trigger feel is acceptable for a rimfire lever action, and it did not get in the way of accuracy testing.

The rifle includes a transverse safety, which is a common addition on modern lever actions. With an external hammer that has a half-cock position, the extra safety is not strictly necessary, but it is there for liability reasons. Shooters should understand how it works before heading to the range.

Accuracy Testing

Accuracy testing was done at 50 yards with a scope mounted in low rings. The first load produced a group around two inches, which was not the best match for the rifle. Switching to a high velocity load designed for silhouette competition tightened things up considerably. The best group measured about three quarters of an inch at 50 yards, which is solid performance for a lightweight lever action.

This highlights an important point about rimfire rifles. Different loads can produce very different results, and it is worth trying several brands and bullet weights to find what a particular rifle likes. Writing off a .22 as inaccurate after testing only one load is a mistake.

Suppressed Shooting and Ammo Selection

Attaching a suppressor to the threaded muzzle did not improve accuracy with the same load. Groups opened up to around an inch and three quarters, which is unusual since suppressors often help tighten groups. The first shot from a dry suppressor may have been a factor, but the overall result was still worse than unsuppressed.

Switching to a subsonic load changed the experience significantly. The rifle became extremely quiet, with the hammer click louder than the shot itself. Accuracy with the subsonic load was promising, with several shots clustering in about three quarters of an inch before one flier opened the group. For small game hunting, subsonic ammunition is a practical choice, and the quiet operation makes this rifle well suited to stealthy hunts.

Buying Advice

The Savage Revel 22 is a lightweight, accurate lever action that handles well at the range and in the field. The comb height is the main drawback, especially for scope users, and the decorative stock carving does not add functional value. The threaded muzzle is a welcome feature for suppressor owners, and the rifle performs best once you find the right ammunition.

For shooters looking for a lever action rimfire that can deliver consistent accuracy, the Savage Revel 22 deserves a hard look. It is not set up to wear an oversized scope, but with a sensible optic or the open sights, it has a lot of potential.

Conclusion

The Savage Revel 22 proved to be an accurate and enjoyable lever action rifle. It shot well with the right ammunition, and the subsonic suppressed combination was impressively quiet. The comb height is worth addressing, but it does not overshadow the rifle’s overall capability. For anyone in the market for a lever action .22, this Savage is a strong contender.