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Ruger American VS Savage Trophy Hunter XP #3608271 09/27/12 12:08 AM
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Michael W Offline OP
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Intro... this will be my first hunting rifle... mostly used for deer and perhaps some hogs... nothing much more than that that I could think of.
So I've decided on 308... unless someone can convince me of another round... but more importantly I'm looking at these two rifles...
Ruger American I can get for ~308 + transfer
Then I'd have to add a scope/rings and possible replace the base mounts...
Second choice is a savage trophy hunter xp....
Comes with a nikon 3-9x40 scope already mounted... price is about $460 + transfer...
I'd be willing to spend obviously the $150 delta on a scope/rings for the Ruger... or possible add up to $100 extra on top for a total of $560 if it's a better scope/combo than the savage....
Max overall budget on any setup would likely be $600 if you have other suggestions/options to throw out there...
Thoughts? Anyone have both?

Re: Ruger American VS Savage Trophy Hunter XP [Re: Michael W] #3608287 09/27/12 12:15 AM
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udamdan Offline
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What ever rifle /caliber /make you choose for the $$$, get at least a 50mm scope for goodness sake grin

Re: Ruger American VS Savage Trophy Hunter XP [Re: udamdan] #3608324 09/27/12 12:23 AM
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30378 Offline
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The Savage would get my money. They make excellent hunting rifles and the 308 is a fine choice.


NRA Benefactor Life Member - Free men should not be subjected to permits, paperwork and taxation in order to carry a firearm.
Re: Ruger American VS Savage Trophy Hunter XP [Re: 30378] #3608329 09/27/12 12:25 AM
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kagomez85 Offline
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Savage

Re: Ruger American VS Savage Trophy Hunter XP [Re: kagomez85] #3608486 09/27/12 01:07 AM
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Michael W Offline OP
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Dan, a 50mm scope would be nice... that particular savage comes with a a fairly nice nikon but its 40mm... I guess I could consider the lower cost savage axis (no accutrigger) for $280 and spend even more on the scope setup....
Any thoughts on that vs the trophy hunter xp (model 11 w/o accustock, but with accutrigger)?

Re: Ruger American VS Savage Trophy Hunter XP [Re: Michael W] #3608582 09/27/12 01:30 AM
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dawaba Offline
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I've been whitetail hunting every year since 1966 and have never felt under-scoped with a 40mm objective, and my most-used whitetail rig sports a 38mm bell.

After all, you use your 50mm binos for spotting and evaluating the trophy. The scope is only used to facilitate the shot AFTER you've already sized the deer up with your bino.

As to the OP's question, may I answer neither? I would look at a Howa 1500 or a Marlin X7.


"For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple.....and wrong." H. L. Mencken
Re: Ruger American VS Savage Trophy Hunter XP [Re: dawaba] #3609002 09/27/12 02:52 AM
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deewayne2003 Offline
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While I have never shot a Ruger American I have looked at them and they seem to be a very solid rifle. I have owned a couple of savages and really wasnt impressed with them at all.

I just saw a Ruger American in .308 on gunbroker for $349+$18shipping; so throw $20 in for the transfer and your at $387 total
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=307387820

Top it with a used leupold Varix1 or Nikon 3-9x40 from the forum for $100ish and you under $500 for a nice rifle.

Re: Ruger American VS Savage Trophy Hunter XP [Re: deewayne2003] #3609888 09/27/12 01:39 PM
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Michael W Offline OP
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What makes the Howa/Marlin better? Not sure with those rifles once I add a scope, I'd be under the $600 mark or not...

Re: Ruger American VS Savage Trophy Hunter XP [Re: Michael W] #3609994 09/27/12 02:08 PM
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Korean Redneck Offline
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Of the 2 choices, I would go Savage. Simply based on the savage being a more known and tested product versus the Ruger American being a new rifle with a trigger system that's new to Ruger.

oh, the 308 is great choice.


I'm a dude who likes long barrels!
Re: Ruger American VS Savage Trophy Hunter XP [Re: Korean Redneck] #3610130 09/27/12 02:46 PM
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hook_n_line Offline
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I was just now looking for a 308 and saw this. I'm going to Carter's Country today to check it out.
Gunsite Scout Rifle
http://www.gunsamerica.com/blog/ruger-gunsight-scout-rifle/


Sometimes it's hard being me! But somebody has to do it.
Re: Ruger American VS Savage Trophy Hunter XP [Re: hook_n_line] #3610138 09/27/12 02:48 PM
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hook_n_line Offline
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BTW Carter's Country finanaces guns. Kind of scarey.


Sometimes it's hard being me! But somebody has to do it.
Re: Ruger American VS Savage Trophy Hunter XP [Re: Michael W] #3610642 09/27/12 05:16 PM
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dawaba Offline
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Originally Posted By: Michael W
What makes the Howa/Marlin better? Not sure with those rifles once I add a scope, I'd be under the $600 mark or not...


The Howa and the Weatherby Vanguard are the same rifle. Go by Academy and handle one. $399.

A Marlin XR7 is a little tougher. You might have to check GunBroker or find one to look at by checking adverts here and perusing gun stores. $300-350.


"For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple.....and wrong." H. L. Mencken
Re: Ruger American VS Savage Trophy Hunter XP [Re: dawaba] #3612027 09/28/12 01:11 AM
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Michael W Offline OP
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Online doesn't look like academy carries the 308...

Re: Ruger American VS Savage Trophy Hunter XP [Re: Michael W] #3612732 09/28/12 04:45 AM
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Ryan F. Offline
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Originally Posted By: Michael W
Online doesn't look like academy carries the 308...
That is correct. They only carry the weatherbys in a long action except for a .243 which they also carry.

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