Ruger American vs Savage Axis - Thoughts??

Dynamic1 said:
I'm interested in a relatively inexpensive rifle for my wife and/or daughters use at the range and/or hunting. I have been looking at the Savage Axis and the Ruger American, both around the same price range. Does anyone have any experience with either / both, together with their opinion on the relative quality comparison between them? The calibers I am considering are .243 or 7-08.

Thanks.

Dynamic1
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Unless your wife/daughter are tall I think you would be best off buying a axis in a youth stock. My wife is 5' 8" and she still finds the youth stock a little big. And for the price of the American you can buy the Axis and put a Rifle Basics tigger in it. I bought the youth Axis in 7mm-08 and put a Nikon Prostaff 2x7x33 with low rings on it and it fits her fairly well. it weighs about 6.5 lbs and we are quite happy with it. For some reason the 7mm does not shoot that well compared to the 223 Axis I own, but it still shoots about 1 1/2" groups at 100 yards which is fine for a hunting rifle.

Best of luck. G
 
I just went through this myself and went with the Ruger American (30-06).

I have a couple friends with Savages and they are ok but didn't quite do it for me.
I didn't like the triggers or the flimsy stocks but I will say they shot fine.
I also didn't care for the sloppy bolts.
If I were to buy one I'd end up buying a Boyd's stock and Timney trigger to make me happy with the rifle. Personal choice only for these upgrades.
This would put the cost up there with the Ruger and a scope to go with it.

I picked up a new Ruger American for $400 + tax at the local Canadian Tire.
The bolt and trigger are very nice on this rifle and it's comfortable for me and handles well.
I had a set of new Weaver rings already and a new Bushnell Legend 3x9 that I took off my Vanguard so no cost to me there.
This gun shoots very well and I'm very happy with my choice to go with the Ruger.

I probably still would have chosen the Ruger even if I didn't have a scope and rings on hand.
 
Hmmm looks like the basix trigger is about $90 before shipping, taxes etc.

The Ruger (with it's built in adjustable trigger) averages out around at $100 more in retail then the Savage, depending on who is selling it.
 
Ranger Dave said:
Excellent! Let me know how you like it!!!
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I ordered the rifle this past Monday and received it today, pretty impressive shipping I think, thank you Jo Brook. The only other low budget rifle I have to compare with is my Marlin XL7 in 30-06 which is a great shooter and cost me ten bucks less than this Ruger.

First impression was how light it was, and while the stock is ok the Marlin stock feels more solid and sounds more solid than the Ruger when you knock on it. Second thing I noticed was the barrel and receiver is a matt black not blued , and unfortunately there was a little blemish on the top side of the bolt handle and of course when I gave it a slight rub it came off exposing bare metal. Like my Marlin, the trigger is very nice, especially for an inexpensive rifle and wayyyyyy better than the original trigger than was in my Ruger M77. The outside of the barrel is not smooth but is finely grooved, almost enough to file my nails, not a fan of that. . I do prefer the Ruger mag compared to the Marlins blind mag, it clips in and out easily and is flush with the stock and is rotary which is pretty cool, but is pretty cheap looking, time will tell if it can tough it out. I like the recoil pad, its nice and soft like the Marlin and am sure will be very effective, though not really needed on a .243 but still nice just the same.

So between the two rifles I prefer the marlin, except for the Marlins blind mag, but if the Ruger shoots anywhere near as good as the Marlin I will be happy with my new under $400 rifle
 
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I slapped on a scope and went to a friends place to sight in today, unfortunately his range is only set up for 50 yards, fine for sighting in but not much of a challenge but the results were promising. Using 95gr Fusion ammo shooting clover leafs was easy and I had quite a few hole in holes, looking forward to what she can do at 100 yards.
 
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heavyBullet said:
I ordered the rifle this past Monday and received it today, pretty impressive shipping I think, thank you Jo Brook. The only other low budget rifle I have to compare with is my Marlin XL7 in 30-06 which is a great shooter and cost me ten bucks less than this Ruger.

First impression was how light it was, and while the stock is ok the Marlin stock feels more solid and sounds more solid than the Ruger when you knock on it. Second thing I noticed was the barrel and receiver is a matt black not blued , and unfortunately there was a little blemish on the top side of the bolt handle and of course when I gave it a slight rub it came off exposing bare metal. Like my Marlin, the trigger is very nice, especially for an inexpensive rifle and wayyyyyy better than the original trigger than was in my Ruger M77. The outside of the barrel is not smooth but is finely grooved, almost enough to file my nails, not a fan of that. The bolt cycles nicely but there must be a small burr that needs to be smoothed out because it sounds like its travelling over a very fine file. I do prefer the Ruger mag compared to the Marlins blind mag, it clips in and out easily and is flush with the stock and is rotary which is pretty cool. I like the recoil pad, its nice and soft like the Marlin and am sure will be very effective, though not really needed on a .243 but still nice just the same.

So between the two rifles I prefer the marlin, except for the Marlins blind mag, but if the Ruger shoots anywhere near as good as the Marlin I will be happy with my new under $400 rifle
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Thanks for the reply. Burn some ammo through it and let me know how it shoots! Congrats on the new rifle.
 
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