The Savage Model 334 is a Turkish-made, bolt action hunting rifle. In fact, it’s a rebadged ATA Turkua. It’s priced basically the same as their Savage Axis but is it any good? To both cut to the chase AND break Betteridge’s law, it is good and it’s my new #1 recommendation for a value-priced hunting rifle.
Savage 334 Features & Specifications
- Available in .243, 6.5 Creedmoor, and .308 Winchester
- 20 or 22″ barrel
- Black synthetic or Turkish Walnut stock
- 3 round, single stack, detachable magazine
- 7.42lbs on my scale
- 2 stage adjustable trigger
- 60 degree bolt lift with 3 lug bolt
- 3 position safety (off, on, on and bolt locked)
- Drilled and tapped receiver with single piece picatinny rail installed
Accuracy: Pretty good!
I got between 0.5MOA in the pic below and 1.2 MOA.
A Turkish Tikka?
This rifle feels like a cheap Tikka. It’s got a similar single stack, plastic magazine, very smooth bolt action, and 60 degree bolt lift due to using a 3 lug bolt.
The comb of the stock is much higher than similar rifles and that’s a good thing when using a scope. It’s closer to giving you an OK cheek weld compared with many other rifles that are way too low to give you anything other than a chin weld.
The bolt action is surprisingly smooth, gliding back and forth effortlessly. And handily, the action is a true short action. Many manufacturers just use 1 action length for all cartridges so it’s nice to see a manufacturer taking advantage of the shorter action length that you can run with 308-family cartridges.
The 3 lug bolt is becoming a lot more common and it’s easy to see why: a shorter bolt lift means you can either have the bolt way more accessible and further away from the stock or you can have the bolt tight with the stock and MILES away from the scope (as in the CZ 600). In the M334, they chose to have the bolt well away from the stock to make it super easy to grab.
For the 3 position safety on the right hand side, I like the functionality but hate the location. For a rightie, it’s not ergonomic.
The adjustable 2 stage trigger is fine.
The stock itself is pretty cheap feeling but functional. At least it has steel sling swivel studs. What a luxury for a budget rifle in 2023!
The 3 round magazine is cheap feeling AND it isn’t even flush fitting! A double stack or partial double stack mag would have given 3-4 rounds plus been flush with the bottom of the receiver. ATA also makes a 5 round mag for the Turkua that I assume fits on this rifle.
The mag situation is fine if you’re using it for hunting, it’ll get annoying as a range rifle.
Savage Axis 1 vs Savage Model 334
Since they’re in the same price range, I thought I’d do a quick comparison on these two rifles.
Shorter bolt lift is a big advantage: you’ve got oodles of room around the scope
Model 334 Advantages:
- 60 degree bolt throw gives more room for your hand around the scope
- Smoother bolt travel
- Heaver barrel
- Pic rail gives more flexibility in scope mounting
- Higher comb on stock gives a better cheek weld
- 3 position safety means you can lock the bolt
Axis Advantages:
- Tang safety is easier to access
- Lighter (6.44lbs on my Axis vs 7.42 lbs on the 334)
- More time in-market means there are likely fewer lemons and more aftermarket parts & accessories available
- 4 round, flush fit magazine. It’s a better magazine.
- Softer buttpad
To be honest, I think the 334 is a better rifle for the price. I’d like to see some more user feedback on them to see if they’re consistent with QC. If they prove themselves to be consistent, it’s going to be my new top recommendation for value-priced hunting rifle.
