If you've been on the lookout for a new .22 LR rifle that won't require you to dig deeper into your pockets to afford a scope, Savage has thrown its hat into the ring with the RXR22. Billed as a lightweight, rugged, and altogether dependable semi-automatic, this new offering is designed to feel as comfortable when you're knocking over tin cans in the garden as it is when you’re out pursuing small game. Its straight blowback operating system promises uncomplicated, reliable action—precisely what you want from a rifle you intend to simply use rather than fuss over. The fact that it arrives with a rather agreeable manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $299 certainly doesn’t hurt, making it a perfectly sensible choice for a beginner, a parent introducing a child to the fundamentals, or anyone just after a good bit of range-day fun.

On the construction front, the RXR22 embraces the modern penchant for synthetics. It's built around a polymer receiver—a practical choice that shrugs off inclement weather and the general wear and tear of a day at the range without complaint. Crucially, this receiver comes with an integral 0 MOA Picatinny rail, which means you can mount your preferred optic, be it a straightforward red dot or a proper scope, straight away. No need to go hunting for fiddly mounting bases, which is always a pleasant surprise.

The rifle is fitted with a standard carbon steel barrel that sports the popular 1/2x28 threading. This threading is a boon for those who fancy fitting a muzzle device, such as a flash hider or, more sensibly, a sound moderator to keep the noise down. The rifle’s stock is designed with comfort and utility in mind, featuring a more vertical style pistol grip than you might find on a traditional hunting rifle. Furthermore, the forend includes its own moulded-in Picatinny rail for easy attachment of accessories like lights or lasers, should you feel the need to illuminate your target.

Savage hasn't neglected some useful features often found on more expensive rifles. Perhaps the most appreciated is the last-round bolt hold open, which engages when using factory Savage magazines. This handy little function stops the bolt from closing when the magazine is empty, giving you an immediate visual and tactile cue that it's time to reload which you should find to be a genuine convenience. The bolt can then be sent home by pulling it rearward and releasing, or by simply pressing the bolt release after inserting a loaded magazine.

In maintaining the rifle, the RXR22 features a dedicated cleaning port built into the rear of the receiver. This allows for simple, straight-through cleaning from the breech without the need to entirely disassemble the rifle or remove the barrel, which is a small but welcome nod to convenience. Moreover, both the trigger group and barrel are designed to be removable for easy servicing, which neatly segues into the rifle's party trick: its considerable appetite for customisation.

The key selling point for many will be the sheer potential for tweaking and tailoring. This adaptability starts with the simple things, like the interchangeable grip modules that come in small, medium, and large sizes right out of the box, allowing users to quickly dial in a more comfortable fit. The threaded barrel and integral rails make adding optics and accessories a cinch, transforming the rifle from a close-range plinker to a scoped-up small game hunter with relative ease.

What will put even more smiles amongst customers is the rifle's aftermarket compatibility. In a move that will likely prompt a quiet cheer from the rifle community, the RXR22 is engineered to play nicely with a wealth of parts designed for the venerable Ruger 10/22. This means that barrels, triggers, and magazines that fit the 10/22 are fair game for the RXR22. This opens the door to a truly enormous selection of readily available and popular accessories, allowing owners to customise the rifle to their heart's content, which, let’s be honest, is half the fun.

The acceptance of these aftermarket parts extends to barrels of up to .920" diameter, often referred to as bull barrels. The RXR22 comes with a barrel spacer pre-installed in the forend, which a user would need to remove should they wish to fit one of these chunkier barrels. It is worth noting, however, that while most 10/22 accessories will fit, using non-Savage triggers and magazines will result in the loss of the rifle's last-round bolt hold open feature—a small sacrifice for a vast choice in the aftermarket.

The Savage RXR22 looks to be a well-thought-out, affordable, and highly adaptable newcomer to the rimfire scene. Whether you are aiming to punch small holes in paper, ring steel gongs, or potter through the countryside after a bit of small quarry, the RXR22 offers a reliable platform that is simple to operate and endlessly tinkerable. Savage may have successfully presented a rifle that should appeal to practically every segment of the shooting community without forcing anyone to take out a second mortgage. It seems they’ve managed to tick all the boxes for an enjoyable, dependable, and customizable .22 LR rifle.