Discovering the World of Shooting: The Savage Arms Rascal .22 LR Youth Rifle

For parents, mentors, or anyone seeking the ideal first firearm for a new, young shooter, the Savage Arms Rascal .22 LR bolt-action rifle, specifically Model 13785, stands out as an exceptional choice. Engineered from the ground up with the needs of young, aspiring marksmen in mind, this rifle embodies safety, accuracy, and ease of use, making the introduction to shooting sports both educational and enjoyable. It's designed to answer key questions like "What is the best first rifle for a child?" or "How can I safely teach a beginner to shoot?" by providing a purpose-built platform that prioritizes fundamental skill development in a secure environment.

Why Choose the Savage Arms Rascal for Youth Shooters?

The decision to introduce a young person to shooting is significant, and selecting the right tool is paramount. The Savage Arms Rascal series has earned its reputation as a premier youth rifle for several compelling reasons, directly addressing the concerns and requirements of both new shooters and their instructors.

1. Uncompromised Safety Features: Safety is the cornerstone of all shooting activities, and the Rascal is built with this principle at its core.

• Single-Shot Design: This critical feature forces the user to load one round at a time, promoting deliberate, disciplined shooting habits. It eliminates the possibility of rapid firing, ensuring that each shot is intentional and carefully managed. This teaches patience, proper sight alignment, and trigger control without the distractions of multiple rounds. It’s an invaluable aid in building fundamental safety routines, as the action must be opened and closed for every shot, making the firearm's status immediately obvious.
• Savage AccuTrigger™: A hallmark of Savage Arms rifles, the user-adjustable AccuTrigger provides a crisp, clean release with no creep, allowing for precise shot placement. Crucially, it can be adjusted by the user without the need for a gunsmith, empowering responsible adults to customize the trigger pull weight to suit the young shooter's comfort and strength while maintaining a high level of safety. The integrated AccuRelease blade prevents accidental discharge if the rifle is dropped, adding an extra layer of protection. This feature is often highlighted by experienced shooters as a significant advantage, promoting better accuracy and reducing flinching due to heavy, unpredictable triggers.
• Thumb Safety: An easily accessible thumb safety mechanism allows for quick and intuitive engagement, ensuring the rifle is rendered safe when not actively being fired. This simple, effective design reinforces proper firearm handling protocols from the very first lesson.

2. Designed for Learning and Growth: The Rascal isn't just a scaled-down adult rifle; it's meticulously crafted to fit smaller frames and shorter arms, facilitating a comfortable and stable shooting position.

• Optimized Length of Pull (LOP): With an 11.25-inch length of pull, the Rascal accommodates younger shooters perfectly. A proper LOP is crucial for comfort, stability, and consistent sight picture, preventing awkward stances that can lead to poor habits or fatigue. This ergonomic design ensures that young shooters can shoulder the rifle naturally, promoting better control and accuracy.
• Lightweight Construction: Weighing in at a mere 2.71 pounds, the Rascal is exceptionally lightweight, making it easy for youth to carry, shoulder, and hold steady without strain. This minimizes muscle fatigue during shooting sessions, allowing for longer and more enjoyable practice.
• Adjustable Peep Sights: The rifle comes equipped with adjustable peep sights, an excellent learning tool for new shooters. Peep sights encourage a consistent sight picture and are highly accurate. As the shooter progresses, these sights can be fine-tuned for elevation and windage, teaching the principles of sight adjustment and shot correction. This foundational skill is transferable to various shooting disciplines.

3. The Versatility of the .22 LR Caliber: The .22 LR (Long Rifle) is universally recognized as the ideal cartridge for beginner shooters.

• Minimal Recoil: The .22 LR produces very little recoil, preventing the development of a flinch response common with higher-recoil cartridges. This allows new shooters to focus purely on marksmanship fundamentals without anticipating a jarring kick.
• Low Noise Signature: While hearing protection is always essential, the .22 LR is considerably quieter than centerfire cartridges, contributing to a more comfortable and less intimidating learning environment.
• Affordable Ammunition: The widespread availability and low cost of .22 LR ammunition make it economical to practice extensively. This allows for countless repetitions, which are crucial for skill development, without breaking the bank.
• Broad Applications: Beyond target practice, the .22 LR is suitable for plinking, informal shooting, and even ethical small game hunting (where legal and appropriate), offering a pathway for young shooters to explore different facets of shooting sports as they gain proficiency.

Key Features and Specifications Detailed

The Savage Arms Rascal Model 13785 in .22 LR is thoughtfully designed, with each component contributing to its overall performance and user experience.

• Caliber: .22 LR (Long Rifle) – The quintessential training caliber, known for its mild recoil and affordability.
• Capacity: 1rd – Single-shot design for maximum safety and focus on fundamentals.
• Barrel Length: 16.12 inches – An optimal length that balances accuracy with maneuverability, making it easy for young shooters to handle and transport. The blued finish on the barrel provides durability and corrosion resistance, maintaining its appearance over time.
• Overall Length (OAL): 30.63 inches – Compact dimensions further enhance its suitability for smaller individuals.
• Weight: 2.71 lbs – Extremely lightweight for effortless handling.
• Stock Material: Synthetic – The durable blue synthetic stock is designed to withstand the rigors of outdoor use and youthful handling. Unlike traditional wood stocks, synthetic materials are impervious to moisture and less prone to dents and scratches, ensuring the rifle maintains its appearance and function over years of use. The matte blue finish provides a modern aesthetic and is easy to maintain.
• Action: Bolt-Action – Simple, reliable, and inherently safe. Operating the bolt teaches the mechanics of firearm operation and reinforces a deliberate, measured approach to shooting. The carbon steel receiver, also blued, provides a robust foundation for the rifle's action.
• Hand Orientation: Right Hand (Youth) – Specifically configured for right-handed shooters.
• Sights: Adjustable Peep Sights – Provides a clear, precise sight picture crucial for developing aiming skills.
• Muzzle: Target Crown – The barrel features a target crown, which protects the rifling at the muzzle, crucial for maintaining consistent accuracy.
• Twist Rate: 1:16" – This twist rate is ideal for stabilizing the wide range of .22 LR ammunition types, ensuring optimal accuracy.
• Application: Field – While perfect for the range, its robust construction and practical features make it suitable for various field applications, from plinking to light hunting, under adult supervision.

Building Foundational Marksmanship Skills

The Savage Arms Rascal is more than just a rifle; it's a teaching tool. It helps instill the core principles of marksmanship from the very beginning:

• Breathing Control: The single-shot nature allows ample time for a young shooter to learn and practice proper breathing techniques before and during the shot.
• Sight Alignment and Sight Picture: The adjustable peep sights provide a clear visual reference, making it easier to understand and execute proper sight alignment.
• Trigger Control: The AccuTrigger's crisp, light break minimizes anticipating the shot, fostering smooth, consistent trigger pulls that are essential for accuracy.
• Stance and Grip: The rifle's dimensions promote a natural, comfortable stance and grip, allowing the shooter to focus on the other fundamentals without battling an ill-fitting firearm.
• Patience and Discipline: The deliberate process of loading each round teaches patience and reinforces the disciplined approach required for safe and effective shooting.

By mastering these fundamentals with the Savage Arms Rascal, young shooters build a strong foundation that will serve them well should they choose to pursue other shooting disciplines or simply enjoy recreational shooting for years to come.

Caring for Your Savage Arms Rascal

Maintaining the Savage Arms Rascal is straightforward, ensuring its longevity and reliable performance. Regular cleaning of the barrel, bolt, and action is recommended, especially after each use. The blued metal finish on the barrel and receiver, coupled with the durable synthetic stock, makes it relatively resilient to typical wear and tear. A simple cleaning kit for .22 caliber firearms, including a cleaning rod, bore brush, patches, and appropriate gun oil and solvent, is all that's needed. Always ensure the rifle is unloaded and the safety is engaged before cleaning, and store it securely in a location inaccessible to unauthorized users.

The Ultimate Introduction to Shooting Sports

The Savage Arms Rascal .22 LR Model 13785, with its blue synthetic stock and blued metal finish, is the answer for anyone searching for a reliable, safe, and effective youth rifle. It removes the guesswork from selecting a beginner firearm, offering features like the adjustable AccuTrigger, single-shot capacity, and youth-specific dimensions that are tailor-made for developing skills. It’s an investment in a young person’s education in responsible firearm handling and marksmanship, fostering confidence and a lifelong appreciation for shooting sports. Whether for target practice, plinking in the backyard (where permissible and safe), or supervised small game hunting excursions, the Rascal provides an unmatched learning experience. Its design signals a clear commitment from Savage Arms to nurturing the next generation of shooters with quality and safety as top priorities.

Product Specifications

Feature	Detail
Brand	Savage Arms
Model	Rascal
Caliber	22 LR
Capacity	1rd
Stock Material	Synthetic
Action	Bolt
OAL	30.63"
Hand	Right Hand
Sights	Adj Peep
Size	Youth
Barrel Finish	Blued
Muzzle	Target Crown
Twist	1:16"
Application	Field
Receiver Material	Carbon Steel
Safety	Thumb
Barrel Length	16.12"
Length of Pull	11.25"
Max Capacity	1
Receiver Finish	Blued
Trigger	AccuTrigger
Weight	2.71 lbs
Stock Finish	Blue
SKU / MPN	13785
UPC	062654137853