Savage Model 12 vs. Ruger Precision Rifle for new shooter?

[John Hutton]

Seeing has how both rifles cost about the same amount. Which one would you recommend for a new long range shooter and why?

 

[perry42]

The Savage has more long distance calibers available than the Ruger and aftermarket barrels are readily available for the Savage.

perry42

 

[andrewsben]

I am a little biased but I would recommend a savage as well. You can get their model 10/11/12 action in about any price range, from the $400 model 12 fv (available at cableas) all the way up to the target action model 12s at $1200 - $1600. I have some of the 12 FV and some of the model 12 target actions (and the 112 magnum target action). The triggers are much nicer on the more expensive target actions but I have a 12 FV 22-250 that has shot .113 and .079, for 5 at 100, that I paid $379 for then got a $100 mail in rebate. I did put it in an aftermarket stock, but other than that it was a complete factory setup.

Since you are asking about a model 12 compared to a rpr, I assume you probably mean the lvrp series since they are comparable in price and features. The lvrp have the great target action but in a repeater setup and are available in most of the more popular long range calibers. The RPR has gotten a lot of praise, and I haven't used one yet, but I think there is/was a lot of hype buying.

The statement by perry42 about the aftermarket availability is very true. I know a few manufacturers rushed to start making rpr barrels, but savage barrels are plentiful, as are many other things you might want to change in the future.

Ben

 

[SS427]

I watched a TV program the other day and they were shooting a Ruger Precision rifle. I was not impressed at all with the groups he was shooting. I'm not a big Savage fan any more, but between those two I would buy the Savage. The odds of the Savage being really accurate are better based on what I saw on TV and my experience with Savage rifles.

 

[gotcha]

Agree with all of the above. If you go with Savage and don't get a "shooter" (it CAN happen) an after market bbl. will most likely solve your problem for a lot less money than modifying the Ruger. ................ If you're a DIY guy you'll learn a lot and be richer for the experience. The Savage is the most proven "starter" set up for LR. IMHO ........... Good luck with your choice. And welcome aboard !!!

 

[watercam]

Except that after market pre-fit barrels are available for the Ruger now. Pac-nor and a few others are advertising them. As it seems to be an AR type fit, should be no problem to change them out.
As far as performance of the Ruger, it would be hard to judge a weapon's accuracy based on what one sees on TV as we have no idea what the conditions were like. AND we can assume they were using factory ammunition of who-knows-what accuracy potential. That being said, neither Savage nor Ruger factory barrels would be able to match a well fit custom barrel and action work especially over multiple 20-odd shot strings of competitive shooting or all day Precision Rifle shooting.

 

[eric32]

I would go with the Ruger

1. Adjustable stock configuration
2.prefit barrels are being made by others
3. Any mag can be used not just AICS
4. All parts are replaceable with other aftermarket AR parts. (Buttstock, hand guard, barrel and other things.


At the end of the day if what youfeel confortable spending and trying to find a deal on here to save some cost.

 

[Nowhere Man]

I always like going with what has been proven to work. Will the Ruger be as accurate as the Savage? Maybe. I don't know of any reports of it being more accurate.


Dave

 

[JarheadAZ]

We used to keep my Sav 112 .308 with a Bushnell Elite as a standby starter gun for walk-on wannabees at Bodines. Box stock, it converted every one of them. It now belongs to my Brother.

 

[JBO]

Savage
Call Jim Briggs he knows more about savage then Savage

http://northlandshooterssupply.com/

 

[BigBlueandGoldie]

I'll go against the grain and say Ruger. I'm tired of the poor primary extraction and triggers available for the Savage. The Ruger seems like a lot of rifle for the money and there are already a ton of aftermarket parts for it (barrels, triggers, bolt shrouds, bolt knobs, hand guards, stocks, etc.).

FWIW, I own 2 Savages and only rimfire Ruger products, so I'm not a hating on Savage, but they are what they are. I think Ruger has taken a play from Savage's playbook and offered an affordable, feature loaded rifle that appeals to the masses. The Savage action has a lot of merit, but I just can't get over some of it's downfalls.

 

[broncman]

With 2 Savage PTA actions and zero problems across 3 years of competition and practice, I think the value they off is unbeatable.

Tomorrow I get to smoke over one of the new Ruger belonging to a buddy. Hopefully I will have time to shoot it. We are going to start working up a load for it as I do his reloading. Will let y'all know.

 

[tripdad]

I would pick witch ever you like best and available in caliber you want. I shoot a couple of savages, built one 260ai, changed stock on other, 300 WM. Have shoot a bunch of friends all are pretty accurate most are cheaper models. acutrigger is decent enough, but i want a Ruger and will get one later down road for adjustablilty so me and my boys can shoot.

 

[broncman]

I smoked it over and was impressed. Bolt head looks like my Sako A7. Back of the bolt has a cheesy plastic cover, but the rest of rifle felt very solid. I want one now for a truck gun!

 

[Dos XX]

Tikka. Hands down.

 

[PriMeR 260]

I have both an rpr in 243 and a model 12 lrp in 260 and I know there both not the same caliber but I would lean towards the Savage. the Savage is hands down more accurate. The rpr is a great gun with really good features with more of an ar style but at the end of the day,if your talking accuracy the model 12 will win.

 

[mauser284]

If you're interested, there is a 66 page thread at Sniper's Hide dedicated to the RPR, including lots of user response regarding precision, and a few mods that apparently help improve its performance a bit:

http://www.scout.com/military/snipe...13955138-new-ruger-precison-bolt-action-rifle

Personally, I'm not a huge fan of either. I'd probably think about getting a Remmy 700 and having it re-barreled, but that's just me.

Really the best you can come up with as an alternative is the "Remmy 700" let me guess you have the best engine ever made swinging from a tree in your back yard and it is a 1980 SBC! If you said it was a 350 Olds Rocket Block or a 340TA we might have to crack open the Pabst Blue Ribbon!!! LOL

But really I am so tired of everyone with a lathe of a bridge port churning out parts for the Remington 700 I almost wish Remington would go out of business just to spite these people. They will not lift a finger to make anything for a newer rifle that is not a sure thing with Red Necks no matter how many people ask for then 10 years latter they might make something for it. Combine that with what Remington has done to the 700 and to Marlin and I am no fan.

No I do not really want Remington to go out of business we need to keep jobs in the USA!!!

I wish Ruger would extract it's head from where it is currently buried and support the Ruger American for those of us that would like to build a more traditional precision rifle than the RPR.

They are too ignorant though in their understanding of marketing to do it in such a way that it does not steal sales from RPR or M77 Hawkeye.

More to the point they should improve the Hawkey so it is worth it's premium price and is as accurate out of the box as the RAR learn how to market outside of price point.

The RPR is nothing more than a PIMPED out RUGER AMERICAN and I am fine with that. It offer's a lot for the money! It is the cheapest way to step into a Chassis rifle that is alloy and takes industry standard magazines and is already setup for prefit barrels. It is far from perfect but it is "Turnkey" and "fully loaded"! Oh and they are freq. on sale if you can save up some cash and sit on it. CDNN Investments often a few times a year will dump a bunch on the market.

I have owned Ruger's for decades but I am really not happy with how they have not supported the RAR or how the rest of the aftermarket draged their feet for at least 5 years on this like it was some POS Turkish or East Block rifle dumped on the market. I vote with my wallet and will pay more to spite companies that do not take care of me as a customer. Just look at Target and Dick's Sporting Goods as examples. Anyone not in a vegetative state can see that the RAR has a fantastic receiver and bolt body that is super easy to machine precisely and cheaply! It is the stock and the parts that are used to build up the receiver and bolt into a finished product that are "questionable" and the lack of a decent stock in both plastic and wood and the lack of decent bottom metal!

The RAR and RPR are like any mass produced rifle some shoot out of the box and some take some decent reloading skills to make shoot great and some will never shoot with out the help of a good gunsmith! It is not a BR rifle that is for sure but Savage does not build anything that is a BR rifle either no matter what their marketing might say! LOL

Savage has a great reputation built mostly with their varmint rifles in the 1990's. I own a 12FV in 6.5CM but I have not gotten enough trigger time and competition time to really say anything good or bad about it. Nothing at all wrong with it that is for sure but again it aint no BR gun and as it left the factory I would not take it to a F-Open match and expect to do well either. The price was fantastic and it has all the right bit's to be easily upgraded. Plenty of support int he aftermarket as well!

I think I have serious problems with turnkey rifles in the $1500+ category from companies that mass produce rifles. I do not trust their barrels or the level of machine work when you get to $1500 on up! I think most people that buy these do not understand how tough the competitive world is today. If Brux sells me a barrel that wont shoot they make me another one and send it right out. I wonder how hard it is to get an Mass Production Rifle OEM to do that?

I do not think there is a right or wrong for this thread it is opinions and luck of the draw. Savage has a better history and track record in the after market and has been used by a lot of guys in the shooting sports for decades. How often do you see a guy with a custom M77 MKII shooting F-Class/PRS/Silhoutte or Palma? Not a lot of RAR's on the scenes either.

DO let us know which one follows you home and how it shoots once you get some trigger time on it! Hope you get a good one no matter which you get!

 

[Ned Ludd]

It's a three an one half year old thread. A Remy with a quality aftermarket barrel still wins hands-down.

 

[varget204]

The Correct Answer is Savage,most Accu-stock out of the box Rifles will shoot Bugholes,many will shoot sub 1/2 ,sub 1/4 moa. For $300-400 one can get SS Match grade replacement barrels