I am looking for a short range varmint rifle and have narrowed it down to either the Ruger American or the Savage 93R17 BTVSS {both in .17HMR} I can't decide, am ready to flip a coin. Who out there has any experience with these rifles?
Ruger or Savage
- Thread starter KodiakII
- Start date
- Location
- Jameson, SK
I have the savage and I'm very happy with it
Reluctantly, I'd say Savage...but not the thumbhole stock. In my experience, that stock is only good for bench shooting. (yes, I've owned one) Prone~doesn't work well, kind of cocks your wrist at a strange angle. Go for the wood or wood-laminate stock, just not that one. (or at least try it before you do) I'd urge you to consider a CZ if you haven't, or, even a Marlin. I picked-up a Marlin 917 heavy barrel (17HMR) about a year or so ago. Slightly older rifle, but it can put 5 rounds in a 1/2" circle @ 100 yards in ideal conditions. Inside the 1" ring all day long.
As for .22WMR~great pest/varmint round out to 100 yards...and I'd trust it more in certain applications (bigger varmints) but it simply isn't as accurate as 17HMR. Period. I've run 9 different varieties of 22WMR ammo through 2 different rifles off a bench~best I could do was 1"...but the average was more like 1-1/4"-1-1/2" with the odd group almost 2".
As for .22WMR~great pest/varmint round out to 100 yards...and I'd trust it more in certain applications (bigger varmints) but it simply isn't as accurate as 17HMR. Period. I've run 9 different varieties of 22WMR ammo through 2 different rifles off a bench~best I could do was 1"...but the average was more like 1-1/4"-1-1/2" with the odd group almost 2".
I don't have the exact savage you are considering but I have a heavy barrel with a thumb hole stock. It's a great gun. Haven't played with it as much as I would like but you can't go wrong with a savage in 17 hmr
- Location
- West Quebec
I'd go with the Savage myself
- Location
- Jameson, SK
I have the thumb hole stock, and I would NOT do that again. Love the gun, but would do the HS style stock instead. We have that on a .22 and love it.
The mags do leave a bit to be desired.....but they do work....
-J.
The mags do leave a bit to be desired.....but they do work....
-J.
Glad to hear these guns are shooters...to quote Col. Townsend Whelen-"only accurate guns are interesting".
I am not sure of the exact model no. now that I think of it, but I found a used Savage stainless steel bull barrel model scoped with the thumbhole stock for what I think is a pretty good deal. Will be picking it up shortly! Thanks to everyone for the advice.
I am not sure of the exact model no. now that I think of it, but I found a used Savage stainless steel bull barrel model scoped with the thumbhole stock for what I think is a pretty good deal. Will be picking it up shortly! Thanks to everyone for the advice.
Gone Huntin
Member
- Location
- SouthEastern Ontario
I own several Rugers in different models, but my .17 is a savage.
freezer filler
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Windsor, Ontario
Another vote for Savage.
wayupnorth
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Northern Alberta
ive got both of the guns you listed in 22.
you really cant compare them to each other, the savage is twice the price so should be twice the gun.
personally my Ruger comes out 10 times more then my savage.
i hate the savage mags and love the ruger mags.
the savage is heavier and if your doing anything other then bench shooting that weight becomes a pain fast.
the savage is a sweet shooter but i only use mine on the bench.
hate the mags.
hate..... the.... mags.....
savage stock is better.
savage is a heavy barrel.
savage is more accurate (not by too much, definitely not twice as accurate for twice the price)
but ruger is lighter.
ruger is less expensive.
ruger has cheaper more available after market stuff. (example, i put a tactical bolt nob on mine recently)
my recommendation to you is if you plan on doing anything other then shooting off a bench or if you are going to be walking around any and shooting off hand then go with the ruger.
here are the 2 im comparing
Ruger RAR
before the bolt nob change
Savage BTVLSS
you really cant compare them to each other, the savage is twice the price so should be twice the gun.
personally my Ruger comes out 10 times more then my savage.
i hate the savage mags and love the ruger mags.
the savage is heavier and if your doing anything other then bench shooting that weight becomes a pain fast.
the savage is a sweet shooter but i only use mine on the bench.
hate the mags.
hate..... the.... mags.....
savage stock is better.
savage is a heavy barrel.
savage is more accurate (not by too much, definitely not twice as accurate for twice the price)
but ruger is lighter.
ruger is less expensive.
ruger has cheaper more available after market stuff. (example, i put a tactical bolt nob on mine recently)
my recommendation to you is if you plan on doing anything other then shooting off a bench or if you are going to be walking around any and shooting off hand then go with the ruger.
here are the 2 im comparing
Ruger RAR
before the bolt nob change
Savage BTVLSS
