I'm pretty much done with Savage rifles, and I'm a little interested in some Ruger Americans. The reason I'm done with Savage is the Axis rifle, I loved the Stevens 200 for tinkering with but the Axis killed it. I can now buy M700 ADL rifles for less money than I can buy a Savage 10/110 rifle, and if I'm buying a rifle for a build on. The M700 is only slightly more expensive than a Savage in the long run, and the Remington is easier to find parts to build with most of the time. The Axis doesn't offer me anything I want, no matter how small of groups they are capable of.
Ruger is offering some interesting rifles in their American line, and the 1:8 twist .223 is one of them that really interests me. The 6.5 Creedmoor Predator and the .300 BLK Ranch are the other two that have my attention as well. Other than that I can't say that I really am interested a whole lot in these rifles and right now there isn't one in my safe.
I think having a lot of rifles was more important to me when I was younger, than have a few quality rifles. I used to fill my safe with cheap military sporters, pawn shop beaters, and whatever I could get my hands on for less than $350. It probably wasn't the best idea I ever had. Along the way I started paying more for rifles, because I knew exactly what I wanted. I still know what I want and most of these cheap budget rifles aren't it. I don't fault a guy/gal for buying one, especially if it gets them into shooting and hunting.
I want a 6.5 Creedmoor for hunting but the while I look at the Ruger Predator, the Howa Alpine, Kimber Montana, and Kimber Hunter hold my interests more. These rifles are all near $1000, but I feel these rifles offer more for my money than any of the sub $500 rifles available. I've found buying a cheap rifle and turning it into what I want, is usually more expensive in the long run anyway.