Help me choose - ruger or savage 6.5 cm

You can get a Savage 12FV in 6.5CM for $400 when they go on sale at Cabela's.
Drop it in an MDT XRS ($500) and you have a nice solid starter long range rifle for about the cost of the other 2 options you are considering.
Ruger American is pretty roughly machined, and comes in a horribly cheap stock.
Savage 110 is the same action as the 12, not sure if it comes with the "accustock" but it's pretty much a garbage stock as well even if it is the accu version.
 
Potasz said:
Already own some tikkas, how many more can one own. Looking for something cheap to get some youth shooting. So far leaning towards the savage.
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Without advice on which brand specified to choose have you considered getting a cheap take off stock for a Tikka you already have? They can be had for cheap, you can cut them to size to suit (if required) and you can still swap out and use the rifle yourself unless, of course, it is a gift. Just a thought....

Good luck

SCG
 
Hitzy said:
You can get a Savage 12FV in 6.5CM for $400 when they go on sale at Cabela's.
Drop it in an MDT XRS ($500) and you have a nice solid starter long range rifle for about the cost of the other 2 options you are considering.
Ruger American is pretty roughly machined, and comes in a horribly cheap stock.
Savage 110 is the same action as the 12, not sure if it comes with the "accustock" but it's pretty much a garbage stock as well even if it is the accu version.
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Do you have a rifle with an Accustock? No, it ain't no chassis, but it's worlds better than a typical tupperware stock. A full length aluminum bedding block is nothing to scoff at and it doesn't add much weight, unlike most chassis systems.
 
rifleman762 said:
He probably wouldn't be happy with the cheapest possible Ruger, either! Ruger Americans are gross. ;-) Just don't buy the bottom-end gun from either Ruger, Savage, or Remington. Cheapest Tikka would still be great, though!

OP, out of the two you mentioned, I'd take the Savage any day of the week. I've got a pile of Savage 10/12/16 rifles (no Axis/Edge garbage) and never had a bad one.
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Listen to this guy! I`ve had cheap rugers and savages wouldn`t ever own either again, couldn`t get rid of them fast enough.Although I must say at least the savage would feed reliably and was far more accurate than the ruger. Not looking for any arguments just relating past experience.
 
If I was looking for a small 6.5 cartridge, I would look no further than EE. There is a really nice Ruger Hawkeye African for sale in the 6.5x55 Swede.
 
rifleman762 said:
Do you have a rifle with an Accustock? No, it ain't no chassis, but it's worlds better than a typical tupperware stock. A full length aluminum bedding block is nothing to scoff at and it doesn't add much weight, unlike most chassis systems.
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Yeah I have one, and certainly wouldn't pay a premium for one, it's the same crap Tupperware with a soft bare aluminum skeleton stuck in it, not even molded into it, and only runs from rear action screw near the end of the forestock.
accustock-pic.jpg
 
I would go with the Savage. It does weigh more and is a bit more expensive but the longer barrel is good for a few more fps and is a heavier barrel too. The stock on the Ruger isn't great and has a bit too much flex in the fore end. The savage also has a proper recoil lug, the Ruger has notches cut out of the receiver that sits in the v blocks bedded into the stock. It works well enough but is a cheaper design. The receiver on the ruger is machined out of bar stock the savage is forged steel making it much stronger but heavier. IMO the ruger predator is a bit over priced for what you get. It should be in the range of an Axis II.
 
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woodlotowner said:
That was supposed to be a smily at the end. My android phone messed it up. I am just not a fan of Savage after getting sucked into buying the first version of the Axis (Edge). Absolute junk. The bolt wouldn't even stay closed on it's own. Anyway, a failed attempt at some kind of disgruntled humour.
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Not really comparing apples to apples here with the 110 vs Edge argument. They are very different rifles at different price points. The Edge on sale plus rebate could be had for $280-$300 back when they first came out.
 
Of the two listed I would go with the Ruger. Despite it having a crappy tupperware stock they are reasonably accurate and I like the action and bolt on the Ruger more than the Savage. The bolt operation on the Ruger is enough for me to give it a higher mark over the Savage.

After the gun ban last year I bought 2 Ruger Americans in 5.56 to use my many AR15 magazines. Their round count is now 3500-4000 each so I have a reasonably good idea of how the rifles perform. I haven't shot a group with them recently nor do I intend to but they can hit a 2" gong at 100 yards every time with bulk ammo so I think they remain accurate enough for any sort of hunting purpose. Any malfunction that they have had was magazine or ammunition related so I would say the rifle design is reliable enough too.
 
I've had both, and the Savage would be my choice. Both will shoot fine, but the 110 has been around for 50+ years and has better aftermarket support.
 
Savage 110 Tactical Desert 6.5 Creedmoor Bolt-Action Rifle FDE
one of these available at my local Canadian Tire $941.00 last I looked
have any Canadian Tire Money kicking around ;)
 
At a point and time in life where I've been 'thinking' of downsizing.;) Not likely to happen any time soon, but with that in mind, I've decided on one last gun/rifle, and with that, thought I'd go for a 6.5 Creedmoor. So, fairly recently, I settled on a 700 Remington MLR, (My Last Rifle):). ;)On a more serious note, from a friend locally I picked up a Remington 700 CDL SF Limited Edition in 6.5 Creedmoor. Mounted on it is a silver Leupold VX III, 3.5x10 and with this package I picked up a number of boxes of Nosler factory ammo. 6 boxes of Nosler 140gr ballistic tip BT and 5 boxes of Nosler Trophy Grade 129 Accu Bond. Next, some paper punching and field experience this coming season:d.
 
Just to stir the pot but no one has mentioned the CZ 557 - love my ruger American but it feels cheap, two out of three savage 110 I have owned shot reasonably well but the cz blows both the ruger and the savage away in looks, feel, function and at least matches them for accuracy and price
 
Never owned a Ruger American, I have owned a few Savages some years ago, doubtful I will own another, I have been very impressed with Savages customer service but I think because of their lack of quality they need good service.
 
My daughter started hunting late in her life ,mid 30's. Asked for dad's advice on cartridge. 6.5 and you have to try the gun for fit. She ended up with a Browning AB3 compact with leupold scope combo.Brought it home and shot for first time. She hadn't fired a gun since high school so I started her out with her grandfathers cooeye 22 for about 80 shots then my 10/22 about the same, then .410 3" magnum 5 shots. Her mechanics were good so onto her new rifle.Asked her if she wanted me to shoot it first so she could see the recoil, no my gun me first she said.She squeezed off , missed target but great form ,no flinch. I sot and same result. She fired about 15 shots no problem, ending up with about a .5" group. She was happy and dad was proud.
 
I keep reading bad things about savages, but I’ve never had a single issue with mine. I have around 1500 rounds through it now, +30 to -30, never one hiccup. I wouldn’t exclude a savage from your choices.

That said, I’m not a huge fan of the savage safety when wearing heavy gloves. I’d give the edge to the more exposed tang safety of the Ruger.

The savage has a 3 position safety, which I see as a positive. The Ruger doesn’t lock the bolt closed when the safety is on, which I see as a negative.

My vote: Browning X bolt
 
I have a Savage package rifle, one of the old FXCP combos. Cheap, but a good shooter. The newer entry-level stuff is definitely worse quality. I think the Ruger is a smidge better than the Savage, but that is pretty subjective. However, both are better than the Mossbergs.
 
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