Hunting rifle - Ruger Hawkeye or Savage Hog Hunter

[smittty]

I'm in the market for a 308 rifle and narrowed it down to these two.

Which do you recommend, tell me the good and the bad for both rifles if you have experience with them.

Personally I like the safety and smoothness of the bolt on the Savage but it's a bit barrel heavy. The Ruger on the other hand is lighter but the bolt isn't as smooth and the safety isn't as perfect IMO. All this boils down to both being equal so I'd appreciate your help steering me towards one of them.

Thanks,

[Full Clip]

I have the Savage and have been extremely happy with it. Great action. I was wanting to buy a 700, but the M11 really turned my head and it was the right gun at the right price for me.

[smittty]

I like the hog hunter but I wish it had a lighter barrel. I don't get why they made it so heavy?

[Rideordie805]

I have the Ruger 308 in LH. Love that rifle. action is a bit clunky and yes the safety is something to be desired. Very well made rifle in my opinion. Shot my first buck with it two seasons ago and to be honest you wont notice the safety or the action once the adrenalin kicks in.

[NapalmCheese]

Personally I like the safety and smoothness of the bolt on the Savage but it's a bit barrel heavy. The Ruger on the other hand is lighter but the bolt isn't as smooth and the safety isn't as perfect IMO. All this boils down to both being equal so I'd appreciate your help steering me towards one of them.

So, in your case, it's safe to say the important parts (action, controls) suck on the ruger and excel on the savage (for you).

Did you have scopes on the guns? If you're going to have a scope on them anyway, handle them while scoped, then tell me if the savage seems a bit barrel heavy.

What decision is there to make?

The Ruger is far better looking if that matters to you.

[Punisher]

Been hunting with a Ruger m77 mk II .308 since 1992... (Was that really 21 years ago?!) and have never had an issue. Reliable, light weight and decent accuracy for me 1" @ 100yds with Barnes TTSX 150gr. And that's with a bushnell scope.

No experience with Savage, nor new model Rugers though.

[shoebox56]

I considered the Hog Hunter, but it didn't have a bottom magazine release. At least for me, that was important to have.

[smittty]

I do like a flush bottom but a detachable mag or bottom mag release isn't important to me. A prefer a fixed magazine.

If the Savage was lighter I wouldn't hesitate as I like everything else about it. I guess I should check if there is a lighter weight savage in the same price range.

The hog hunter is around $475 and Ruger I like is about $525.

[TMB 1]

I do like a flush bottom but a detachable mag or bottom mag release isn't important to me. A prefer a fixed magazine.

If the Savage was lighter I wouldn't hesitate as I like everything else about it. I guess I should check if there is a lighter weight savage in the same price range.

The hog hunter is around $475 and Ruger I like is about $525.

If that's the only price difference just get the Ruger. I voted Hog hunter but for some reason I thought Rugers were a lot higher priced.

[smittty]

They normally are. This one has synthetic stock with blued steel. I guess it's a high value dealer exclusive.

[smittty]

Update....bought the Ruger.

Thanks for all your input!

[Divernhunter]

Put a 3X9X40 Leupold scope with duplex reticle on it and a Claw sling and you are set for life.

[threeoheight]

I have a Ruger Scout which is the same action. It might have been a little clunky but after sitting and racking it back and forth about 500 times it smoothed out. Definitely acceptable but not as smooth as some.

[smittty]

I know the bolt will smooth out in no time. Looks wise the Ruger is more sexy for my eyes and I like how the stock feels. They had the same dealer exclusive rifles in 7mm-08 and I regret not buying one. I have the synthetic with blue 77/357 and really like it so I know what to expect. My 2013 gun buying is now done.