When an old-line barrel maker combines forces with a popular rifle maker, the result can only be good for shooters, especially when unusual cartridge selections and many features that are typically custom-only are offered. Such is the case with the new relationship between Savage Arms and E.R. Shaw.

I've used Shaw barrels before.The company produces special drop-in profile barrels that fit the factory stock channels of most popular rifles. I've done many of these retrofits over the years, and when I heard E.R. Shaw was branching out into its own proprietary line of rifles, I placed an order for one in .22-250 Remington Ackley Improved.

"The new Mark VII rifle will be available in over 90 different standard chamberings, including just about anything you desire from the petite .17 calibers up to the large African big game cartridges," says Shaw president Carl Behling.

Shaw entered into an agreement with Savage Arms, which is supplying the actions for the new rifles. Many wildcat cartridges that have not been offered before in production rifles can be ordered as standard fare.

Prices start at $625 for a Savage stainless steel action, a Shaw barrel and a Boyd's laminated stock. Keep in mind that this is not a stripped-down version. Considering E.R. Shaw's enviable reputation for accurate barrels, that's an excellent price.

One of the main highlights of the Shaw rifle is that any cartridge on the list is available in either a right- or left-hand action. The receiver is typical Savage, but the similarities end there. Shaw dispensed with Savage's barrel lock nut/head-spacing system, instead threading barrels into the receiver the old-fashioned way. The recoil lug is a .25-inch thick machine-steel washer-type.

The Shaw bolt is polished bright and incorporates the same design principles as its Savage counterpart. Twin locking lugs provide a secure lockup. On the bolt face are a sturdy extractor and a traditional plunger ejector. A baffle at the rear of the bolt deflects harmful gases in the unlikely event of a cartridge failure, and there are two escape holes in the front receiver bridge.

The bolt knob is checkered. A two-position safety is located on the tang and moves with positive detents from safe (rear) to fire (forward).

A number of Savage products have recently been streamlined to eliminate the awkward bolt-removal lever on the side of the receiver. The Shaw rifle maintains this lever, which, when depressed, allows removal of the bolt while holding the trigger back.