which would you buy ?

I had magazine problems with my Ruger American in its factory piece of rejected Tupperware junk stock. No magazine issues with the aftermarket stock. Ruger should do themselves a favor and ship the American as a barreled action if they can not build a better stock than the piece of trash they put on it.
 
Longshot, I have not built on the American action yet, but just looking at it, I believe it would be a very decent foundation for a custom. It is a good action. Trigger is great after you de-lawyer it.
 
Of the two rifles mentioned in the OP I'd take the Savage...

something that hasn't been mentioned yet the the ease at which you can change barrels on the Savage. If you're on a limited budget and want to pick up a rifle and add on to it as you go I'd take the Savage...

granted I only have experience with a Savage 110 in 30-06 and not the Axis but I do plan to pick up an Axis II in 7mm-08 sooner or later
 
My local gunsmith has a 100-yard range at his shop. He regularly sights in rifles for customers. In casual conversation about the relative merits of various rifles, he had only favorable comments about the Ruger American. He referred to it as a very good deal for the money.

I don't recall any comments about the Savage--although I've yet to hear of any negatives.
 
I have a couple of the ruger americans. One is 22-250 and is very accurate. The barrel heats up very quickly and I usually wait 2 or 3 minutes between shots with the action open. The second is the compact version in 308. My youngest son uses this rifle with the reduced recoil 125 grain loads. Kicks about like a 243 and he loves it. Havnt had these guns very long but we have never had any problems. Which ever gun suits you the best is the best one to get. I have many nicer much more expensive and better cosmetic rifles but these are cheap and packed full of features. The cheap rifles were designed for the man who can't afford the aestheticly pleasing rifles but needs a accurate tool to aid in his hunting adventures. I have people come out to my range all the time and get out shot with these cheap rifles. They usually aren't laughing at the poor man's guns when they are packing up and leaving.
 
I also have a Ruger American. 308 compact, set up with vortex optics and a Harris bipod. I haven't had it very long but so far it shoots out to 200 yards, pretty nice groups.
My son who is 11 enjoys shooting it but prefers a remington 700 in .223.
I love the action weight and feel , I have no regrets, great rifle.
 
Between the two choices I would go for the ruger. Nothing against a savage but if I were in the market for a savage I would not get the axis. My .02 :)
 
I agree with brasscollector, you cold spend a little bit more money and get into the next tier of bolt actions like the Savage 10...

you also might look at the used market, I bet you could get a much nicer Savage or Ruger for the same price as these are new...
 
I don't see how you could miss with the purchase of either. But to find that perfect one.

1._I would say which ever shoulders best,
2._ Which ever's (receiver) functions with less resistance when shouldered.
3._ Which ever gives the best sight picture down its barrel.
Pleasing in form, fit, & function is how you go about picking a good one.:)
 
Savage Model 11 Hog Hunter looks cool it has a threaded barrel and irons as well as being drilled and tapped...it's just cool...

however for about $100 more dollars you can step up into the Savage 11 or Savage 25. both of which come in a variety of different configurations or you can pick up a stripped Savage Target Action and have it barreled and put into a quality stock (the most expensive option but probably the best).

just some ideas...I bet there will be more aftermarket support for the Savage model 11 then the Axis if I was a guessing man.

If you want to shoot 223 long distance then you probably want to shoot heavy grain bullets so try and get a 1:8 or 1:7 twist and you should be able to shoot 80 grain Sierras all day long with good groups...


EDIT: just for the record I'm kind of a Savage fan boy and currently own a Ruger Gunsite Scout in 5.56 and love it!
 
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Here again,let us stray away from OP,s original simple question.

As some have suggested for a few dollars more you can get a better quality rifle.I guess the word, few, to some of us is very different than what I think it means.
For example, if OP buys a Tikka T3 Lite from Bud,s Guns,it will be $563,has no optics.So OP buys $100 scope plus mounts and rings,he,s looking at close to$675- $700.More than a few in my book.
It,s more like if you double what your wanting to spend.

Of the rifles mentioned in OP,I,m guessing dollars is a factor here.If not,then why ask about just those two rifles?

Going to a notch above,is few and far between,Savage11,TC Venture,older stock Howa/Vanguards maybe.
To me the Tikka or CZ would be two notches for the money you would have to spend.

One thing I will not do,is give you advice or opinion you did not ask for.

If it were me,I,d stick to the original plan.

Fun gun with 55 gr,Savage
Fun gun for out to 300yrds,heavier bullets,Ruger.
You reload,I,m sure you,ll find the right load for either.
 
i have a german 98 mauser in its original cut down stock and caliber (8mm) that was D&T and bolt altered for a scope in very good condition with ex bore that i bought for 50.00. after adding a 4x leupold and working up a good load for a 150gr bullet at 2650fps i have shot 3 shot 4.5" groups at 300yrds from a good rest. and over the years as a loaner rifle to friends and their children it has accounted for a truck load of deer. my point is i would not feel undergunned carrying that rifle on any hunting trips in the US. some day i may pretty it up some, maybe a new boyt stock and reblue and i still would not have more than 225.00 total in it. eastbank
 
I asked about these two rifles because it will be a range rifle shooting my hand loads. I am hoping the one I choose will shoot 1 inch groups at 100 yds. Most often I will shoot 100 and 200 yds with occasional 300 yds.
I don't want to have to buy all kinds of after market stuff to make it shoot right. I want to work up hand loads that shoot 1 inch at 100 yds right out of the box. Will either of these do that ?
 
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