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Savage, Tikka or Ruger

Ruger, Tikka or Savage

  • Ruger

    Votes: 25 21.7%

  • Tikka

    Votes: 51 44.3%

  • Savage

    Votes: 39 33.9%
  • Total voters
    115
  • Poll closed .
Status
Not open for further replies.
wow6599

wow6599

Member
Joined
Apr 6, 2008
Messages
2,417
Location
Wildwood, MO
Well, I decided to purchase a new hunting rifle. I have been so caught up in handguns and and semi-auto 5.56 over the last 6 years, I decided to get something that was in SS, and a good value.

I held a lot of rifles, but didn't fire any. I was wanting to be in the $600 - $800 range, and another $400 for a scope - don't plan on shooting past 300 yards.

I had it down to a Ruger M77 Hawkeye all-weather, Savage Weather Warrior or Tikka T3 Lite - all in my favorite caliber of all time, the old .30-'06 Springfield.

I just sent payment to Bud's (surprised they were open today) on my pick, because my LGS' were all about $50 - $100 higher, not counting 7.5% +/- on sales tax.

My question is, which is the better rifle and why? I did a lot of research, and went with the one that felt the best, but may not have been the most "rugged" (did that give it away?). Also, I have always been a fan of Leupold and older Nikon scopes. Any opinions on a good scope for 200 - 300 yard shot around $400 is appreciated.
 
The Ruger is the best pure hunting rifle of your choices. They are the most dependable and toughest. Not the best in pure accuracy when fired from a bench, but close enough that it will never matter from field shooting positions. I'd have bought a Winchester as my 1st choice with Ruger #2.

The Tikka would have been a strong contender as well. If in my budget I'd have gone with a Kimber as my 1st choice in a lightweight. The Tikka will probably take 1st place for pure accuracy among your choices and if pure accuracy were more important than rugged dependability it would be a good choice. It is the best bet in a lightweight rifle priced under $1,000

Savage is the darling of the internet crowd. I've owned a few, shot a few more. None that I've fooled with have lived up to the hype. None were bad, none were any more accurate than any other rifle I've owned. All were butt ugly and cost within a few dollars,(often more) of much better looking, equally accurate rifles. Won't have another Savage.

You can pay more for a scope, but a current prduction VX-2 is as much scope as you'll ever need. Right at $300. For about $30 more I'd go with the long range reticle and you'll never need or want for a better scope.
 
In All actuality it's a matter of personal preference. All three will be Hunting accurate at 300yds. Never having been a fan of synthentic stocks I dislike the ruger the least, and like there mounts the best. In a wood stock I prefer their wood. The Tika's got the smoothest action and the ruger's a CRF if that matters to you, I also like their safety.

As Far as the scope goes Again two very good brands. I prefer an unclutterd Reticle, a plain duplex, They both offer them so again coin toss, sale or if you prefer the gold ring.

I guess in the end I offered No guidance... par for the course I guess :)
 
Savage is the darling of the internet crowd. I've owned a few, shot a few more. None that I've fooled with have lived up to the hype.
Click to expand...

This I find to be so true. I can't put my finger on all the reasons; just seemed like it was different, and not in a good way. I also don't care for the AccuTrigger.......just felt funny to me.
 
Of the rifles you have listed, I only have owned the Ruger. Here is a post you might want to read, that I just created here at THR.

Shout-out for Ruger Customer Service:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=727508

Ruger earned my respect, just last week in a repair of my brand new Gun Site. :cool: Now, Tikka and Savage customer service may be as good, and I can you you for fact Winchester's customer service is equally good. But, you asked about three specific rifles. Good luck, and let us know what you select.

Geno
 
Geno, that Ruger scout rifle is on my short list.....just waiting for prices to come down a bit. And I have used Ruger's CS several times....some good, some not so good.

How's the Gunsite shoot?
 
I have owned and shot many rifles over the years for target and hunting.
I will be 50 in a couple weeks and the body would like a lighter rifle for all day carry with accuracy to boot.

Last year I purchased my final hunting rifle.

A Weatherby Vanguard S2 in .308 with my Leupold 3x9 VXII that has been on and off many different rifles over the years.

This rifle is very accurate with my reloads out to 300 yds but personally a 200 yd shot is within my comfort zone.

Just my story.

Clarence
 
I've had all of the above...two savages sit in my gun cabinet and are my favorite hunting rifles. sold the tikka, sold the ruger, may give up on howa/weatherby although they are accurate, soon too. IMO savage makes a great rifle. Look into e.r. shaw mkVII too.
 
Well, I went with the Tikka. I went in with the mindset a month ago that the Savage was the only one I wanted....it finished last after comparing the others to it.

I was very torn between the Ruger and Tikka; in the end I think it was the fact that Sako/Tikka does the bolt gun proud, and I have heard mix reviews on Ruger centerfire rifles. Still a little torn, but I went with the Tikka.

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/...-06+Springfield+wStainless+Barrel+&+Black+Syn
 
wow:

As I use the factory open sights, so it's difficult to say what the Gun Site rifle is truly capable of shooting.

I am using handloaded, 165 Game King HPs, with 46 grains of Varget, a Winchester LR primer, in Winchester brass. I was keeping pretty consistent 2.75", 10-shot groups at 100 yards on an AR500 steel plate (15" square), aiming "center-of-mass". I am sure that if I had had a set aiming point, say a 1" dot, I am sure it could do better. With a scope...who knows. But I like the super light feel of that rifle as it came from the factory...flawless balance.

The stainless version is on my short list, as is the Guide Gun, probably in .30-06 Sprg. How I never fell in-love with Ruger before, I can't explain, other than to say their "proprietary" rings bothered my mind. I got over that weakness. :D

Geno
 
Doesn't matter. Blindfold yourself, pick them up, and get what feels nicest. I've had the opportunity to shoot a lot of bolt guns, and I've come to like Savages the most. I like the Accutrigger, I like that changing barrels is a fairly simple process (though I've yet to do it), I like that I can get a lot of parts for them, and I like the massive range of offerings. None of the rifles listed will disappoint you in the accuracy/reliability department, and all are just awful to look at, but the Savage is just what I've come to settle into. All mine are hunting rifles, so looks don't bother me. If I want a gun to look nice, I'll take a 700 or CZ before any of the ones listed.

As for a scope, the Leupold VX-2 or Nikon Buckmaster series and a set of quality bases/rings will suit you just fine.

EDIT - Ah, I see you decided. Nice choice. Pics when you get it, or it didn't happen.
 
Last edited:
You made a great choice. I love mine in .243 Win that shoots fantastic...and have been trying to rationalize getting another one in a different caliber.
 
Wow;

I've made the same choice, some years ago. I've got a Loopy tactical mil-dot on mine & wouldn't have it any other way. It's tough, it's accurate (boy is it accurate), and it's done the job more'n a coupla times.

My second choice woulda been the Ruger, have had a Savage in the past & I'm pretty sure it's gonna stay that way too.

900F
 
The Nikon Buckmaster is one of the best in it's price range. I have two on hunting guns. I have all kinds of scopes and it is a great scope. You have to go up in price to get a comparable scope from Leupold.
 
I voted for Tikka as I currently have two of them and have had several others in the past. I really like my Tikka 695 as well as my Tikka T3. I have had other T3's and all have been superbly accurate and smooth. Great rifles for the money.
 
I've owned several exames of all three brands within the last 5 years. As a matter of fact 3 Tikkas, 3 savages, 2 rugers.

They rank as follows based upon accuracy, trigger, fit-n-finish, and bolt throw.

1. Tikka
2. Savage
3.
4.
5.
6. Ruger

Tikka and Savage are about equal as far as accuracy (sub-MOA), Tikka fit, finish, and triggers are much better though the savage can be adjusted down easily. Tikka bolt throw is much smoother than the other two brands.

Ruger is pretty much mediocre in ever aspect and in my experience would make the worst hunting rifle out of the box.

Glad to see you went with the Tikka.

Check out these sweet carbon fiber stocks for the Tikka

http://forum.snipershide.com/sniper...s/189592-carbon-fiber-stocks-evil-empire.html
 
I applaud your choice... I did nearly the same thing. Last weekend I sold a Ruger 77 and replaced it with a Tikka in the same caliber. It was a stunning improvement in accuracy, although the extremely light Tikka really wallops the shoulder more than the heavier Ruger.

In the first trip to the range I was shooting some hand loads I made up for the Ruger, in the brand new Tikka. As soon as I had it zeroed, I was shooting about 3/4" groups at 100 yards. The trigger is very light and crisp. I'm a happy camper and I'd bet you will be too. The Tikka isn't as fancy and pretty as my heavy barreled Sako Forester in .243, but it's certainly accurate for a hunting rifle! Personally, I like its simplicity. I kind of wish it didn't use all the plastic, but then again.... it doesn't seem to matter at all.
 
I voted for Savage since I have one that shoots extremely well.
I can understand how some people say that the bolt is not as smooth as the Tika etcetera and the Tika would be my second choice.
I guess what I'm saying is that if I had a Tika that outshot my Savage then my number one pic would have been Tika.
 
For the cost of the guns listed I would pass them over for a weatherby. Weatherby has the same 1" accuracy warranty as Tikka. The wood is #1 walnut. If you can settle for a plastic stock you can get weatherby for under $600. Dollar for dollar there is no better made bolt action rifle on the market, bar none.

If you want to build your your own rifle the Howa actions are a great start. Howa makes Weatherby rifles.
 
As for scopes, I'm also a fan of Nikon scopes, even the newer ones.

They have a new line, the ProStaff 5 line. I've seen them up close and they are extremely clear. Their 2.5-10X40 with a BDC Redicle is really nice especially for the price. This ProStaff 5 is much clearer than the normal ProStaff. http://swfa.com/Nikon-25-10x40-ProStaff-5-Riflescope-P61618.aspx

Of course, at the upper end of your budget is the Nikon Monarch 3 in 2.5-10X42 which also comes with a BDC Reticle. http://swfa.com/Nikon-25-10x42-Monarch-3-Riflescope-P61596.aspx

In Leupold your budget will limit you to their VX-2 line, not that there's anything wrong with the VX-2 scopes.

You might want to take a look at the Redfield scopes. Considering they are now owned by Leupold I'm sure they are again top quality. For only $220 you can buy a 4-12X42 scope and I'm sure the glass is very good. http://swfa.com/Redfield-4-12x42-Revenge-Rifle-Scope-P53110.aspx
 
I too am floored when I see threads like this and Weatherby isn't even on the list.
 
ArchAngelCD said:
As for scopes, I'm also a fan of Nikon scopes, even the newer ones.

They have a new line, the ProStaff 5 line. I've seen them up close and they are extremely clear. Their 2.5-10X40 with a BDC Redicle is really nice especially for the price. This ProStaff 5 is much clearer than the normal ProStaff. http://swfa.com/Nikon-25-10x40-ProStaff-5-Riflescope-P61618.aspx

Of course, at the upper end of your budget is the Nikon Monarch 3 in 2.5-10X42 which also comes with a BDC Reticle. http://swfa.com/Nikon-25-10x42-Monarch-3-Riflescope-P61596.aspx

In Leupold your budget will limit you to their VX-2 line, not that there's anything wrong with the VX-2 scopes.

You might want to take a look at the Redfield scopes. Considering they are now owned by Leupold I'm sure they are again top quality. For only $220 you can buy a 4-12X42 scope and I'm sure the glass is very good. http://swfa.com/Redfield-4-12x42-Revenge-Rifle-Scope-P53110.aspx
Click to expand...

The Revenge you linked to is made in the Phillipines, and is comparable to that Nikon ProStaff5 in quality. The Revolution is comparable to a Leupold VX-1, but with click turrets instead of friction ones.

The VX-2 is really the sweet spot in Leupold's lineup from a price/quality standpoint. They are comparable to the VX-III of just a couple of years ago.
 
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