Motorcraft wrote:
Which one is the best?
Whichever one you can find for the lowest price.
I'm not trying to be facetious. They are all basic (some would use the term "entry level") ARs.
You put a magazine in them, pull the charging handle, take off the safety, aim, pull the trigger, they go bang. And by most accounts they all do so repeatably and reliably and if for some reason they don't are backed by good manufacturer's warranties and responsive customer service.
When I was faced with the same decision you are about to make, I went to several guns stores. At that time, none had the Savage. I looked at the Ruger and I looked at the S&W Sport II. The first time, the S&W was $40 less than the Ruger, so I bought it. The second time I bought one, the S&W was $100 less than the Ruger, so I bought S&W again. Had the price differential been the other was around, I would have brought home two Rugers to join my existing Mini-14s. I haven't regretted the decision and if I had bought the Ruger or Savage, I would probably be equally as satisfied.
Also, I always tell people they should never ask "what is best" because then they will get someone telling them what they would buy if I could spend your money. Well, in this case, I have done that, and I suggest the "best" one is the one with the lowest price.