Ruger or Savage?

N

Neew-b@75!

Private
Minuteman
Oct 16, 2025
6
2
Kuna Idaho
#1
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

​

 
#3
oldrifleman said:
This one in the PX would be my choice if at all possible
www.snipershide.com

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 www.snipershide.com
Click to expand...
Thank you,
This one has been sold and it seems it's out of stock everywhere else.
I appreciate the suggestion.
 
#4
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.
 
#5
Rileysboo said:
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.
Click to expand...
OIP-635101914.58OTwz3-Q9TQO65aXHmytAHaEK.jpg


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. 🤣🤣
 
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#7
Neew-b@75! said:
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

​

Click to expand...
+1 for the suggestion to grab a used or new Tikka T3X if it fits in your budget.

New Tikka:
Tikka T3X Lite 223 16” (6.75lbs) (# JRTXE31216MT) (~$700)

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:

You get more gun for the $$$ with the CZ in my opinion though....to each their own.
 
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#10
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.
 
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#13
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”.
 
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#14
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.
 
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#15
TheJeanyus said:
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.
Click to expand...
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
 
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#18
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.
 
#20
m1match said:
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.
Click to expand...
I must be the luckiest guy in the world. Three Savage rifles, thousands of rounds. Not a single failure. Not one.
 
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#23
Baron23 said:
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
Click to expand...
I would love to get a Tikka T3x Super Varmint but the $1700.00 dollar price tag is a bit intimidating. That being said, I'm about to start a 10 week treatment for cancer so if I lay low and save my money and keep shooting my 17hmr, I could probably do it. That would require a lot of discipline on my part.
I would also have to save up for a better scope and at least 500 rounds or better which would take me out to around February.
I remember a Bazooka Joe quote, "Patience is a virtue, seersucker is a fabric."🤪
Thank you for the advice.
 
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#25
Neew-b@75! said:
I'm about to start a 10 week treatment for cancer
Click to expand...
So sorry to hear that. Id strongly consider doing keto + intermittent fasting to help with fighting it. Hopefully you guys caught it early.

Also here is a supplement regimen you can look into if you want:
1761140523089.png
 
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#26
Neew-b@75! said:
I would love to get a Tikka T3x Super Varmint but the $1700.00 dollar price tag is a bit intimidating. That being said, I'm about to start a 10 week treatment for cancer so if I lay low and save my money and keep shooting my 17hmr, I could probably do it. That would require a lot of discipline on my part.
I would also have to save up for a better scope and at least 500 rounds or better which would take me out to around February.
I remember a Bazooka Joe quote, "Patience is a virtue, seersucker is a fabric."🤪
Thank you for the advice.
Click to expand...
I suspect that if you hunt a bit that you can find a better price than 1700. And best of luck with your treatment!
 
#28
Turkeytider said:
I must be the luckiest guy in the world. Three Savage rifles, thousands of rounds. Not a single failure. Not one.
Click to expand...
I wasn't about to have a Savage action kick my ass, so after some monkey fucking engineering and research on the jamming while feeding issue. I found if you bevel the ejector 25ish degrees towards the firing pin hole, it prevents the case head from jumping past the bolt face and binding up. Then I found with some more research that Savage used to bevel all their ejectors. You would think on their top tier Savage Elite Precision they would do this...nope. Then Savage phone people pretend they've never heard about the problem...
 
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#30
Ronin22 said:
I wasn't about to have a Savage action kick my ass, so after some monkey fucking engineering and research on the jamming while feeding issue. I found if you bevel the ejector 25ish degrees towards the firing pin hole, it prevents the case head from jumping past the bolt face and binding up. Then I found with some more research that Savage used to bevel all their ejectors. You would think on their top tier Savage Elite Precision they would do this...nope. Then Savage phone people pretend they've never heard about the problem...
Click to expand...
Yeah, I don’t know. The issues with extraction and ejection are certainly real, and a lot of folks address that with the 30.00 kit from Kinney’s Shooting Supply. Shouldn’t be necessary and I don’t know why Savage doesn’t address it. It’s also interesting to me that some guns have an issue, some never do.
My 110 in .223 has only had any issue with only one brass brand, that being Hornady. No problems at all with any other brand.
My Model 12 LRPV has never failed to extract or eject, with authority at that, through 2,000+ rounds.
 
#31
Neew-b@75! said:
I would love to get a Tikka T3x Super Varmint but the $1700.00 dollar price tag is a bit intimidating. That being said, I'm about to start a 10 week treatment for cancer so if I lay low and save my money and keep shooting my 17hmr, I could probably do it. That would require a lot of discipline on my part.
I would also have to save up for a better scope and at least 500 rounds or better which would take me out to around February.
I remember a Bazooka Joe quote, "Patience is a virtue, seersucker is a fabric."🤪
Thank you for the advice.
Click to expand...
The rifle is inconsequential, IMO.....what is important is that your cancer treatment goes super well and I wish you the best of luck, my friend.
 
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#36
Turkeytider said:
I must be the luckiest guy in the world. Three Savage rifles, thousands of rounds. Not a single failure. Not one.
Click to expand...
Same here. As much as I hate Savage I will still admit my Savage is one of the most accurate rifles I own. It’s still a factory varmint barrel shooting FGMM. It feeds from a mag like absolute dogshit but regardless there have been no failures with a few thousands rounds.
 
#39
Neew-b@75! said:
Thanks.
By the way; I like the quote on your profile.
At this time in my life, it carries a lot of weight.
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I apologize for missing your Diagnosis! I would wish you a good luck and best wishes for a positive outcome. I am also of an age that time is valuable! Know that in a decent rifle you could stretch the 223 out to 500-600 yard (or more with the right ammo). I beg you to keep your dreams alive even while fight the Cancer! You have received some great testimonials here. Pick one and enjoy, please stay and contribute, the is a very dysfunctional family but we do (with a few exceptions) support our own. Enjoy the distractions!
 
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#40
BKH28 said:
Same here. As much as I hate Savage I will still admit my Savage is one of the most accurate rifles I own. It’s still a factory varmint barrel shooting FGMM. It feeds from a mag like absolute dogshit but regardless there have been no failures with a few thousands rounds.
Click to expand...
I used to go to SavageShooters.com before the site closed down . A shame because that was the best place for all things Savage. There was universal agreement that Savage made some absolute garbage when it came to magazines. While the feeding from the mags in my 110 was often “ rough “ , it never really failed to load. When I dropped the 110 action into an MDT Field Stock that took AICS magazines, the thing loads as smooth as can be.
 
#41
Turkeytider said:
I used to go to SavageShooters.com before the site closed down . A shame because that was the best place for all things Savage. There was universal agreement that Savage made some absolute garbage when it came to magazines. While the feeding from the mags in my 110 was often “ rough “ , it never really failed to load. When I dropped the 110 action into an MDT Field Stock that took AICS magazines, the thing loads as smooth as can be.
Click to expand...
I used to visit it from time to time. It is a shame that you can’t view the old threads anymore. That is a lot of knowledge that’s gone. My bottom bolt release 10 series is in a KRG bravo with KRG 10 rd mags but I almost always have back the bolt up and push forward again to actually feed a round. It seems like the feed ramp is too steep but to be honest I’ve never sat down and tried to figure it out. The mag could be riding a little too low or something.
 
#42
BKH28 said:
I used to visit it from time to time. It is a shame that you can’t view the old threads anymore. That is a lot of knowledge that’s gone. My bottom bolt release 10 series is in a KRG bravo with KRG 10 rd mags but I almost always have back the bolt up and push forward again to actually feed a round. It seems like the feed ramp is too steep but to be honest I’ve never sat down and tried to figure it out. The mag could be riding a little too low or something.
Click to expand...
While the AICS mag works fine, since it’s a range rifle, I usually single feed it. Got a Bobsled single feed follower. That’s even smoother.
 
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