Ruger Hawkeye African or Savage Alaskan Brush Hunter or Model 70 Alaskan

NorthernPF

NorthernPF

Regular
Rating - 100%
9   0   1
Location
Ramore, Ontario
Hey Guys!!

Looking for some info on these three guns. My dad is looking at buying one of these chambered in the 338WM. Anybody have opinions on either of these guns and the caliber?

Anything is greatly appreciated!
 
Last edited:
If the budget allows the M70 Alaskan or Ruger African hands down. The savage Alaskan doesn't even compare, although the appeal of a shorter barrelled iron sited gun I understand.
.338 Winchester Magnum will do every thing you need for hunting North America and most of the rest of the world. While I find the recoil noticeable its not anything I'd object to, except maybe for an extended bench shooting session. The few rifles I've played with in it were good to great shooters. If it were a more frequent occurrence to go Moose Hunting in my NB I'd have a .338 as they really seem made for each other.
 
Winchester.......................Ruger..................................................................................................................................................................................................Savage
 
I have the savage alaskan bush hunter in 375 and its your average savage after i sanded down and painted the stock it actually looked half decent and its pretty accurate too but most savages are in my opinion ruger is a nicer rifle though!
 
I have an African in .375. I really like it. Nice balance, decent trigger, useable iron sights. Haven't handled the Winchester. I only know about my 1950 M70 in .30-06. I have a Savage .223 and prefer the Rugers fit and finish, 3 position wing safety, sights...
 
CRF for your dads .338wm. Meaning the crappy savage is out. I had one in .338wm and let me tell you , they are nasty to shoot. My Rugers are my favorite guns, but that has more to do with the way they "fit" me , rather than liking them more than Winchester. I love model 70's, it's just that they just never seemed to shoot quite as well as the Rugers I have owned. Funny eh.
 
I have an African in 9.3x62, very accurate nicely balanced, Savage rifles are not even in the same class.
 
Gunslinger said:
Winchester.......................Ruger..................................................................................................................................................................................................Savage
Click to expand...

Pretty much! There could be more dots between #2 and #3 though... ;)
 
I've used the Ruger African and it treated me very well. I like the Ruger ring system over any other scope mounting system on the market (except Talley Lightweights on light rifles). I prefer the Winchester action to the Ruger but only by a small margin. Winchester would be my first choice, then the Ruger.
 
I would go for the Winchester first,then the ruger .I think they are both the same weight 8.25 lbs.If you are just shooting bears out of the bait stand,then flinch all you want any make in the 338 should suffice.
 
I've got a 1st gen. Ruger African in 375 Ruger and love it. I changed out the factory recoil pad for a Limbsaver, the factory pad is as soft as a hockey puck. I also replaced the factory trigger with a Spech Tech aftermarket trigger, not because I had to, but because I wanted an adjustable. Quite honestly the factory trigger was quite nice, and would be excellent with a slightly lighter spring. The floor plate was a little finicky, depending on how hard the action screws were torqued. The inletting on the bottom of the stock was sloppy, a skim of bedding material tightened things up. Love the action and safety. Love the sights, and use Warne QD mounts to take advantage of them when needed. For me, it carries and shoulders awesome, overall one of my favorite rifles. I don't own a .338 WM but love the caliber, very versatile.
 
I can tell you one thing for all the Savage haters... You do not get double the gun for the double price or more the Winchester or Ruger costs over the Savage.

I will have absolutely no problem hunting moose this year with my Savage Brush hunter in 338 win mag.

P1070966.jpg


I will not feel outclassed in anyway carrying this thing into the bush this fall!
 
NorthernPF said:
Hey Guys!!

Looking for some info on these three guns. My dad is looking at buying one of these chambered in the 338WM. Anybody have opinions on either of these guns and the caliber?

Anything is greatly appreciated!
Click to expand...

If you're on a budget, Savage 111 Hog hunter (#19663): same features as Savage 116 Brush Hunter, but Matte Black,green stock, plus a threaded barrel. ~$479. some places.
MC
 
Last edited:
Winchester model 70 in 338 works and the ruger in 338 also works great I have both glass bed them for better stock fit and good to go
 
My first choice would be winchester, but very close behind would be ruger, I had an alaskan in 375 ruger that I sacrificed to pay for a cooper I ordered. I kinda regret selling it, it was a real handy size and shot very well.
 
I have a M70 .338 S/S Alaskan with laminated stock. Build quality is top rate, and the gun weighs in "heavy" with an Elite 2.5x10 mounted. I am trying to find a factory 225 grain round that stands out but it likes 250 grs. I would buy another in a heartbeat.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom