Ruger 77MKIIVT vs. Savage Model 12 Varminter

[fabsroman]

I am looking at buying a .25-06 in the near future and I am looking at both the Ruger and the Savage. Initially, I didn't like the Savage because their triggers sucked and aftermarket triggers weren't readily available, while the Ruger has an adjustable trigger that I am familiar with. Currently, I am leaning toward the Ruger because I already have 2 of them in stainless steel. One in .300 Win Mag with a Timney Trigger and the other, a VT model, in .220 Swift with the adjustable trigger. I have both of them in Hogue stocks with full length bedding blocks and they both shoot pretty well.

Is there anything about the Savage that should make me pick it over another Ruger? I like the fact that the .25-06 comes with a full length bedding block and a free floating barrel, but I hate the fact that it isn't available in a synthetic stock, only a laminate stock. If I bought it, I would probably want to change the stock just like I would want to change the stock on the Ruger.

Is Savage made in the USA?

[billy ahring]

Why do you not include the Remington model 700 Sendero in your list of possible candidates. It comes standard with the synthetic stock that features the aluminum bedding block that you desire. And........who could argue that Remingtons trigger is not the best available on a factory rifle?

I have a stainless Sendero in 25-06 and can vouch for it. It is a great shooter and in a caliber that is not hard to shoot well. The cost is a bit more than that of the Savage and Ruger, but not that much more. And you don't need to upgrade the stock and trigger on the 700. Use that money for quality glass instead.

I got a steal of a deal on mine. So much so that I'm not gonna say what I paid for it. A friend of mine was in the gun business and going out and he wanted to get rid of inventory. I walked in and he said " why don't you take that 25-06 home with you?" I told him I did'nt really have a need for it, but when he shot me a price I said " let's do some paperwork"

Look around, you never know you might find a deal on one as well.


Later,

Billy

[fabsroman]

I thought about a Sendero in .25-06, but it doesn't look like Remington is making Senderos anymore, or at least not under that name, and when I checked the Senderos out last year, .25-06 wasn't offered in them. I hate buying used guns, regardless of how well they have been treated and how good they look. I just hate buying used guns and used cars for some reason.

Remington does offer the .25-06 in a couple of its product lines (i.e., BDL), but I am looking for a stainless barrel and an adjustable trigger so that I don't have to buy a trigger for it. Much easier to install a Hogue overmolded stock on a Ruger MKIIVT than it is to install a Timney trigger on a Remington 700. Hell, installing a Timney Trigger on a Ruger MKII is easier than installing one on a Remington 700.

I guess I could look at Remington's website a little longer, but I just don't like their factory triggers. Don't like Ruger's factory triggers either, except for the VT models with the adjustable triggers on them.

[Swift]

Follow yer first instinct.

[skeet]

Before you put the Savage out of the running....Look at the new trigger they have. It is really neat and adjustable by you down to a suitable level. I have one on the Savage Muzzle loader and it is great...and I never thought I would have a Savage bolt gun

[billy ahring]

What's not to like about a Remington trigger? You state that you want an adjustable one. Remington's trigger is adjustable, in my opinion the best factory trigger going ( I should note that I have no experience with Savage's new Accutrigger).

I have a Ruger VT in .243 as well and the trigger is nothing to be proud of as far as I'm concerned. I also don't really understand the concept of putting the front action screw in at an angle either. Seems to me that with the rear screw going straight in and the front going in at an angle it would create stress in the action. I've always been under the impression that the more things are not stressed the better they perform.........maybe it's rocket science and I just don't get it perhaps..........I don't know. The gun does shoot pretty good but not great. I think its biggest drawback is the trigger, too much creep for me to like. But then again I've been spoiled by triggers on 700's


Billy

[PJ3]

I have the Savage in 25-06. What a great shooter. I do not like wood stocks but the stock on my BVSS is great. It is a little heavy but if your going to be shooting off a bench, who cares. The gun has a great trigger (Accu-trigger), the stock doesn't move, and it is accurate. I have the Bushnell 4200Elite 8-32X40 on it. Together, the hogs better not show their heads out to 600yards. By the way, I also have the Savage model 12 in .223. The stock is the worst, stay away from those Savage composite stocks. Remy stopped making the Sendero in 25-06 two years ago and the left over NIB are going for top dollar. Good Luck.
PJ3

[fabsroman]

To be honest with you guys, I am not familiar with the newest Remington trigger since the only Remington 700 I have touched is an old one that my dad bought off of a friend right before the friend died. I have no idea how old the gun is, but the trigger was awful. I guess it is kind of like comparing today's Savage to my dad's 35+ year old one. I hate that Savage. Anwyay, on the Remington 700 I replaced the stock with a Hogue stock with a full length bedding block and I replaced the trigger with a Timney trigger. Personally, I love the Timney Trigger I installed on my Ruger 77MKII in .300 Win Mag. I like that trigger more than the stock one on the Ruger 77MKIIVT model, problem is that Timney doesn't make a trigger for the VT model.

Haven't had the chance to check out the Accutrigger on the Savage or any new trigger on a Remington 700. Still, Remington doesn't offer the .25-06 in too many configurations and I don't know if they offer it in stainless steel. I will have to do a little more investigating on their website before I decide on which gun.

Another thing that worries me about Savage is the lack of stability of the company. It looks like they are doing rather well right now, but I don't want to buy a gun from a company that is not going to be around in 5 years. Their history over the past 20 years is a little sketchy.

[Brithunter]

Hi All,

Now fabsroman, surely you have realised by now that you must never, Never say anything against Remingtons

Regardless how tacky they made be finished, how many waves in the Buttstock form improper sanding.

Now that Old remington is probably far, far better built than a new one. If I could find a nice Model 30S and had the money I would bu it however I would not give house room to a Model 700

Hope you find what you are looking for.

[Cal Sibley]

I have always been a Remington man having a half dozen of them, mostly 40XBR's and 700BDLs from the 1980s, but my last two Remingtons have both required glass bedding, barrel floating and trigger work to get them to shoot as well as my earlier ones.
Figure this added cost to the already rather expensive price of the new Remingtons, and the Savage looks better at every step.
Certainly the Savage is equally as accurate without spending all the extra money. I'd much rather have a new Savage all things considered. Just one mans opinion. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

[fabsroman]

I was at the local gunshop this afternoon, and while they didn't have the Savage I was looking for, they did have one in .204 Ruger. They also had a Ruger 77MKII in .22-250 there. I looked at the Savage with the synthetic stock and then looked at the Ruger, one of which I already own. The action on the Savage felt weird and the stock was a piece of crap. The balance was terrible too. I just didn't like the Savage at all, but that is just because of the way it felt. It might be the best shooter on the world, but I know I can get the Rugers to shoot pretty well with the mods and the handloads, so I think that will be the way I am going.

[Swift]

Following yer gut, good call!

[Sore Shoulder]

Which model Savage did you look at? If you head over to savageshooters.com, you can find alot of info on aftermarket stocks that will put the factory synthetic stocks to shame. Aftermarket triggers include 2 models from Riflebasix, and 2 from Sharpshooter Supply. One of the models from SSS is only installed by SSS, as it is benchrest weght of pull (about 2-6 oz.) and disables the safety. I have both styles of SSS triggers, and the lighter model of the RB trigger, and they beat the accu-trigger for bench work hands down. I think you underestimate the stability of the current Savage company. Many shooters are complaining of current poor quality control from both Rem. and Win. I believe that Savage is listening to shooters alot more than the other big 3. I can't argue that one gun feels better to you than another, (personal preference) but in my opinion, a Savage rifle is an excellent choice, and allows you ALOT of flexibility for the future.

[Evan03]

id go ruger.

even if you can find used 2506 sendero your gona pay as much as what the ruger vt cost new.

i havent had any problems with my many rugers, ive bought one remington a 22/250 sendero. new model with the wart on the bolt shroud. trigger is adjustable and i tweaked it to 2.5lbs, a very crips 2.5lbs. but i like the ruger dual stage trigger alot.

ive often thought about grabn ruger vt just for the trigger, then send it off to get the barrel fluted. throw it back together in a lighter hs precision stock and it would be one heck of rifle and not weigh anymore than my current walnut blued 24" barrel ruger.

actualy you got me thinkn on this more than i had planned and that is not a good thing.

Evan