Savage or Ruger?

[ontarget]

Savage 12FV or RAP both in 6.5CM?
Which one and why?

 

[Legionnaire]

I’m curious as to what attracts you to these two alternatives. Neither would be my first choice for a new 6.5 Creedmoor. But force me to choose and I’d probably opt for the Ruger. Not a Savage fan, even though they have a great reputation for out-of-the-box accuracy. Don’t like the way they look, and don’t like the accutrigger. The Ruger just has more personal appeal.

 

[ontarget]

I’m curious as to what attracts you to these two alternatives. Neither would be my first choice for a new 6.5 Creedmoor. But force me to choose and I’d probably opt for the Ruger. Not a Savage fan, even though they have a great reputation for out-of-the-box accuracy. Don’t like the way they look, and don’t like the accutrigger. The Ruger just has more personal appeal.

The attraction is the price point. I know the TC Compass is in that price range as well but doesn't have the heavy barrel. Maybe that doesn't matter. I'm not sure. I'm still looking for an entry level long range bench rifle.

 

[someguy2800]

The stock and finish on the 12fv is awful. I bought one last year. I vote savage bedded in a boyds stock or the ruger just the way it is. Both are very cheaply finished, though accurate guns.

 

[Legionnaire]

Got it. Yes, at that price point I’d opt for the Ruger ... and plan to lose the plastic stock when I could afford it.

But I’d prefer to save my pennies and buy a Bergara B14 HMR. Cry once and all that.

 

[Varminterror]

Both will be quite accurate. I’d get the savage out of the two, as I’d expect it to be slightly more accurate on average than the RAP. At least a Boyd’s, B&C, or Microfit stock on either of them.

 

[ontarget]

My idea is to pick up one of the currently available lower cost but accurate rifles so I can apply more funds toward optic and stock. I've read great reviews on both the Savage and RAP.

 

[Legionnaire]

A good friend of mine is doing the same. He bought a RAP in 6.5 CM and a Vortex Viper HS 4-16x44. I tried to get him to spend a bit more to get a scope with target turrets, but he didn't like the idea of spending more for the scope than the rifle. I'll be helping him set it all up later this week, and I'm sure he'll be happy with it. Whatever you settle on, we'll want pictures and a range report!

 

[Offfhand]

I’m curious as to what attracts you to these two alternatives. Neither would be my first choice for a new 6.5 Creedmoor. But force me to choose and I’d probably opt for the Ruger. Not a Savage fan, even though they have a great reputation for out-of-the-box accuracy. Don’t like the way they look, and don’t like the accutrigger. The Ruger just has more personal appeal.

I fully agree with Legionnare, choosing between a Savage and a Ruger is a beggar's choice at best.

 

[ECVMatt]

I own lots of different rifles by lots of different makers, some are custom. The two bolt action rifles that I am using the most right now are Both Ruger Americans. My son and I take the 7.62x39 versions with us almost every time we head out on a shooting trip or adventure. We have banged a lot of rounds down the tube and they show no signs of quitting.

I think too many new shooters get discouraged from trying the sport because of the money it takes to started. I can find nothing wrong with the Ruger American or the Savage series that would prevent my from either owning or recommending them. I personally like the Ruger and with the addition of a Magpul stock, you would have a pretty solid set up. Is it as nice as a 4 or 5 thousand dollar custom build, no, but it will still shoot great and probably do most of what needs to be done.

In my youth, I was taught that beggars can't be choosers, but clearly now they can. I am extremely happy that there are so many entry level rifles that shooters, or beggars, have a choice. In my opinion it's better to be a beggar than a braggart.

 

[adcoch1]

Either would be a good place to start on a new cartridge, I am going with the American later this summer. If I start to enjoy long range shooting I will probably upgrade to a nicer rifle, but either the Savage or the ruger can get the job done.

 

[bannockburn]

Between the two I would probably opt for the Ruger. Like some others who have written here I am more of a Ruger fan than I am a Savage fan. Having said that I think both would make for a decent entry level rifle.

 

[jmr40]

I have 3 of the Ruger Americans, one standard rifle in 223, and 2 Predators in 308 and 6.5 CM. My brother has 2, a Ranch in 5.56 and a Predator in 6.5. I have some nice, expensive rifles that I like, but none shoot better than the Rugers.

I'd opt for the newer Ruger that takes Accuracy International magazines. They come with a 3 round mag that only protrudes slightly below the stock, but 5 and 10 round mags are available vs the 4 round rotary magazine on the older version. The rifles are the same price as are spare magazines.

https://ruger.com/products/americanRiflePredator/specSheets/26973.html

I paid $389 OTD for both of my Predators. They have gone up, but I still see them listed for $395 + what ever your transfer fee will be.

 

[LoonWulf]

I find the RA action more attractive than the savage, magazines are better, and the bolts less sloppy. I also prefer the trigger blocking blade on the RA's triggers, to the sear blocking blade on the Accutriger.

Down sides, stocks feel awful to me, and the bolts need polishing. Sandblasting my RARs bolt actually made travel smoother.

The 12fv is also a true varmint barrel, the RAP is a heavy sporter. Even my RAM which has a heavier barrel than the RAP is only .750ish at the muzzle.
Dunno if that matters irl or not, but it is a difference.
I prefer the traditional recoil lug on the savage also.


Personally I was a total savage fan boy, but I just don't find them attractive, and while I certainly don't consider it a deal breaker it DOES matter to me.
I've alsa become quite anamored to the RA line of rifles, even tho I hate the stocks.

Given my druthers I'm with @Legionnaire, I'd buy a b-14 or some sort, but otherwise I'd get the RAP.

 

[someguy2800]

For some reason I find all the savage sporter rifles to be butt ugly, but I find the laminate stock model 12's very attractive. This is mine



The benefits for a rifle build due make it attractive though. Its awesome being able to change your own barrels and the accutrigger is a very good trigger with a little work. A couple spring changes makes the trigger best in class for factory triggers, and if you don't like the center blade thing it just take it out. Takes 5 minutes.

My idea is to pick up one of the currently available lower cost but accurate rifles so I can apply more funds toward optic and stock. I've read great reviews on both the Savage and RAP.

Just keep in mind if you follow that path you can upgrade the stock, but you will still be left with the ugly sprayed on matte finish that they use on the metal of all these cheap rifles. I personally can't stand it but if it doesn't bother you then carry on.

 

[VoodooMountain]

Savage if its threaded. They are so easy to work on and make it thr way you want.

 

[js8588]

Neither. Get a Howa.

CHF barrel like the Ruger.
Butter smooth action without the slop of Savage.

Of the ones you mentioned? Savage. They get the barrel length right. 22 is too short a tube for my taste in 6.5 Creedmoor (you can get HB Howas with a threaded 26).

 

[ontarget]

I own lots of different rifles by lots of different makers, some are custom. The two bolt action rifles that I am using the most right now are Both Ruger Americans. My son and I take the 7.62x39 versions with us almost every time we head out on a shooting trip or adventure. We have banged a lot of rounds down the tube and they show no signs of quitting.

I think too many new shooters get discouraged from trying the sport because of the money it takes to started. I can find nothing wrong with the Ruger American or the Savage series that would prevent my from either owning or recommending them. I personally like the Ruger and with the addition of a Magpul stock, you would have a pretty solid set up. Is it as nice as a 4 or 5 thousand dollar custom build, no, but it will still shoot great and probably do most of what needs to be done.

In my youth, I was taught that beggars can't be choosers, but clearly now they can. I am extremely happy that there are so many entry level rifles that shooters, or beggars, have a choice. In my opinion it's better to be a beggar than a braggart.

I'm not a beggar, I'm Dutch! LOL

 

[CoalTrain49]

I’m curious as to what attracts you to these two alternatives. Neither would be my first choice for a new 6.5 Creedmoor. But force me to choose and I’d probably opt for the Ruger. Not a Savage fan, even though they have a great reputation for out-of-the-box accuracy. Don’t like the way they look, and don’t like the accutrigger. The Ruger just has more personal appeal.

That's kept me from buying a lot of rifles.

 

[Legionnaire]

Yes. I figure that if I buy a rifle expecting to swap out the trigger and buy a new stock, I probably should have bought a different rifle to begin with--unless, of course, I am knowingly buying a donor rifle (i.e., and old Remington) for an action upon which to build.

To wit: Ruger American Predator ($400 in hand) + Timney trigger ($130) + Boyd's stock ($175) = $700 or thereabouts. One could do a lot better for $700, like a Bergara B-14 Hunter ... and the HMR is only $200 more. A budget rifle only stays a budget rifle if you keep it stock.

 

[sparkyv]

I have 3 of the Ruger Americans, one standard rifle in 223, and 2 Predators in 308 and 6.5 CM.

I'd opt for the newer Ruger that takes Accuracy International magazines. They come with a 3 round mag that only protrudes slightly below the stock, but 5 and 10 round mags are available vs the 4 round rotary magazine on the older version.

I too, have these three Americans. The .223Rem shoots lights out. The 6.5Creed, not so much; best is 5 shot 1.1 MOA groups at 300yds, repeatably with two of my handloads. I need to spend more time loading for the .308Win. RARs are a very good value, very good rifles with excellent triggers (which are easily modded ). Would have liked to have the AI mag versions available when I got mine. Highly recommend.

 

[Skylerbone]

I own the RAP and the Compass, both inexpensive rifles and neither would be IMO an attractive “bench” rifle. First, neither makes it to 7 lbs from the factory. Second, neither has the correct stock for from the bench shooting. Third, they’d both require better triggers for precision work. Fourth, both barrels create noticeable mirage after fewer than 5 rounds.

I’d agree to choosing an inexpensive rifle and way more scope than it needs while saving for a more fitting rifle, but I don’t agree that most cheap rifles would make good donors. If that is the plan, then I’d vote Savage for the sake of support.

 

[22250Rem]

I could go either way on this as I have nothing against either. But probably would lean towards the Ruger as a guy at my club has an RAP in 6.5 Creed and one day last month we had the range all to ourselves mid-week and he was shooting cloverleaf groups at 100 yds off the bench with (IIRC) Hornady (?) American Whitetail (?) factory ammo. It was impressive. Although for my use it would probably just get a suitable Leupold scope, and possibly a different stock sometime in the future.

 

[Legionnaire]

So my buddy came over last night with his new RAP and Vortex HS. I didn't ask where he bought the scope, but they sold him a set of cheap high rings that I was too embarrassed to let him use. I dug a set of Vortex hunting rings out of my stash and gave him those instead. We got it all set up and bore sighted; he ought to be on paper at 25 and can go from there.

It was really my first time handling a RAP for any length of time. It felt pretty solid, but didn't like the plastic stock; it's so light that the gun felt a bit nose-heavy to me. I also noted that the barrel wasn't exactly centered in the barrel channel (but didn't say anything). The bolt felt reasonable if not slick--it will no doubt slick up some with use--and the trigger felt surprisingly good. While I don't like the trigger safety lever any more than I like the Savage accutrigger, the break was crisp and felt like it was about 5-6# -- I didn't check it with my trigger scale.

My conclusion was that I could recommend the RAP with confidence to someone looking for a budget rifle. I also decided it is unlikely that I will buy one. As I noted above, I'd want to change the stock and trigger ... and then it's no longer a budget gun.

 

[rbernie]

I have sold all of my bolt rifles over the last handful of years and standardized solely on Savage. My rationale was simple - I want to treat the barrels on my bolt action rifles as consumable, and I can replace Savage barrels in my workshop using basic hand tools.

That allows me to focus on shooting my rifles and treating them as tools, and not worry about the cost of wear and tear.