Ruger or Savage?

[Neew-b@75!]

Hello,
I'm new to target shooting,started about 3 years ago just after I retired.
I started out with a .22lr which I did pretty well up to 50 yards and then bought a 17 HMR which I've done well up to 100 yards, but not so much at 200 yards.
I would like to move up to shooting at 300 yards,but I have a limited budget, so I could use some advice on a couple of .223's I'm looking at.
One is a Ruger American Gen 2 Predator with 20 inch barrel @ $560.00
The other is a Savage 110 Varmint with a 26 inch barrel @ $800.00
I would like to by the Ruger because it's less expensive, but I can only afford to buy one.
Could someone advise me?
I've tried to research the best I could online and with other people.
I realize most of you are far beyond me in skill, but you all had to start somewhere.
Thank you

​

 

[oldrifleman]

This one in the PX would be my choice if at all possible

Firearms - Remington 700 223

Remington 700 action Shilen barrel chambered in 223 5/8-24 muzzle KRG Bravo stock Grey/midnight cerakote on barreled action Rifle Basix Trigger MDT poly mag Roughly 400 rounds on the barrel. $1100 shipped

www.snipershide.com

 

[Rileysboo]

I have had both. If you want to buy a “disposable” youth compact rifle, Ruger American better than Axis. Axis can be really rough.

If you go up to Savage 1x/1xx or even a TiKka or B14, if in the budget, in compacts stock you can easily find a replacement adult stock as he grows and it will be useful for a lifetime.

 

[supercorndogs]

I have had both. If you want to buy a “disposable” youth compact rifle, Ruger American better than Axis. Axis can be really rough.

If you go up to Savage 1x/1xx or even a TiKka or B14, if in the budget, in compacts stock you can easily find a replacement adult stock as he grows and it will be useful for a lifetime.

Sometimes I read a response and wonder what thread they are trying to respond to. Like is some of the text in the OP hidden from me.

 

[FWoo45]

Seriously, on a limited budget, gently used Tikka or whatever from the PX.

 

[WeR0206]

Hello,
I'm new to target shooting,started about 3 years ago just after I retired.
I started out with a .22lr which I did pretty well up to 50 yards and then bought a 17 HMR which I've done well up to 100 yards, but not so much at 200 yards.
I would like to move up to shooting at 300 yards,but I have a limited budget, so I could use some advice on a couple of .223's I'm looking at.
One is a Ruger American Gen 2 Predator with 20 inch barrel @ $560.00
The other is a Savage 110 Varmint with a 26 inch barrel @ $800.00
I would like to by the Ruger because it's less expensive, but I can only afford to buy one.
Could someone advise me?
I've tried to research the best I could online and with other people.
I realize most of you are far beyond me in skill, but you all had to start somewhere.
Thank you

​

+1 for the suggestion to grab a used Tikka T3X.

Or for a new gun that's a little less expensive than a new T3X I'd give a hard look at the CZ 600 Plus Alpha in 223 Rem for about $630 (it has a 24" barrel with muzzle threads, pic rails, adjustable trigger, easy barrel swaps, etc.).



If you really are set on sticking with Ruger or Savage here's what I'd go with:

• Savage 110 Trail Hunter 223 22" ($475)
• Savage 110 Trail Hunter Lite 5.56 20" ($500)
• Ruger American Gen 2 Predator 223 22" ($540)

You get more gun for the $$$ with the CZ in my opinion though....to each their own.

 

[Im2bent]

Wow guy asks ruger or Savage and says LIMITED budget would rather go lower cost with the ruger and first response is a rifle that's 300 more than his most expensive option.
Go with Ruger op for 300 yards it's plenty of rifle.

 

[spife7980]

Ruger for me

 

[gopherslayer]

Savage Trail Hunter or the Lite version is about $500. Medium heavy contour barrel threaded muzzle comes in 223 with a 9 twist or the 5.56 with a 7 twist. I haven’t had Savage not feed or eject poorly like what’s floating around the internet. I shoot the hell out of my Hog Hunter in 223. No problems with 77s at 600 yards.

 

[supercorndogs]

Ruger.

 

[Cfshooter]

Savage 110 hands down.

 

[Turkeytider]

Just one guy’s experience. Can’t speak to a Ruger, never held or shot one . Do have a 110 action in a range rifle that has been quite good, functionally flawless through several hundred rounds. Came out of a 110 Storm that I got as a hunting rifle but converted to a fun range gun. Is the action as smooth as the one in my Tikka Super Varmint? No, but it’s been more than serviceable. Wouldn’t hesitate to own another 110. They are a grade up from the Axis line, which I wonder whether or not a lot of folks think of when they hear “ Savage”.

 

[TheJeanyus]

I recently purchased my son a Savage Rascal. I special ordered it from Academy's website because he just had to have the one with the blue stock on it. I take it home, and when we get it out of the box the rear sight falls off. The threads on the peep sight itself were damaged and fell apart. No problem. Make a warranty claim for a replacement including pictures of what is broken. They send me the screws for the rear sight mounting bracket. I respond back and tell them they sent me the wrong thing. They send me the rear sight mounting bracket. I respond back AGAIN telling them they sent me the wrong thing. They completely ignore me for weeks. I try calling a dozen or so times, but the warranty dept apparently doesn't answer the phone - ever. Finally I get a message that they're sending me more parts. They finally get it right on the 3rd try, 2-1/2 months after the initial claim. I say all this to say...I will never buy another Savage product because their customer service was such a pain in the ass.

Buy the Ruger.

 

[WeR0206]

I recently purchased my son a Savage Rascal. I special ordered it from Academy's website because he just had to have the one with the blue stock on it. I take it home, and when we get it out of the box the rear sight falls off. The threads on the peep sight itself were damaged and fell apart. No problem. Make a warranty claim for a replacement including pictures of what is broken. They send me the screws for the rear sight mounting bracket. I respond back and tell them they sent me the wrong thing. They send me the rear sight mounting bracket. I respond back AGAIN telling them they sent me the wrong thing. They completely ignore me for weeks. I try calling a dozen or so times, but the warranty dept apparently doesn't answer the phone - ever. Finally I get a message that they're sending me more parts. They finally get it right on the 3rd try, 2-1/2 months after the initial claim. I say all this to say...I will never buy another Savage product because their customer service was such a pain in the ass.

Buy the Ruger.

Yikes...I posted a thread in the Rimfire forum about good starter rifle for my 7 and 4 yr old and was strongly leaning towards the Rascal but will probably avoid it after seeing your post and maybe get a Henry mini bolt youth instead

 

[Im2bent]

Why are you guys bringing up youth rifles for the retired guy?

 

[Turkeytider]

Why are you guys bringing up youth rifles for the retired guy?

Just an opportunity to express negativity towards Savage in general. Just as I would be by relating a bad experience with Beretta USA when discussing whether or not to purchase a Tikka rifle.

 

[m1match]

Friends don't let friends buy Savage rifles. We used to regularly get people shooting our local club precision rifle matches with Savages and I can't recall a single rifle making it through a match without choking at some point. Every rifle would have either failures to feed, or failures to extract or eject. It would be one thing if they were isolated cases, but I've seen every Savage in every match the I have shot in have problems at multiple matches at multiple ranges, not just my local range. The worst was at a PRS Regional 2 day match where people traveled from all over to shoot and one guy in my squad had a Savage. His rifle in 6.5 Creedmoor wouldn't feed or extract, he would have to single feed rounds into the chamber and would have to use a pocket knife to pry the fired case out of the chamber.

 

[Baron23]

Neither. Take the time to save more and buy a much better rifle for not a whole lot more. Tikka suggestions are right on IMO

 

[Turkeytider]

Friends don't let friends buy Savage rifles. We used to regularly get people shooting our local club precision rifle matches with Savages and I can't recall a single rifle making it through a match without choking at some point. Every rifle would have either failures to feed, or failures to extract or eject. It would be one thing if they were isolated cases, but I've seen every Savage in every match the I have shot in have problems at multiple matches at multiple ranges, not just my local range. The worst was at a PRS Regional 2 day match where people traveled from all over to shoot and one guy in my squad had a Savage. His rifle in 6.5 Creedmoor wouldn't feed or extract, he would have to single feed rounds into the chamber and would have to use a pocket knife to pry the fired case out of the chamber.

I must be the luckiest guy in the world. Three Savage rifles, thousands of rounds. Not a single failure. Not one.