Wanted people's opinions of its accuracy.  Basically I'm looking for a dedicated prairie dog / paper punching tool.  Bolt action, bull barrel type set up.  I'll either be looking at a Savage or a Ruger, and wanted an honest opinion about the Ruger.

Savage

Which model?

How old is it?

I have a 77VT in 204, very accurate right from the box, bit heavy to drag around but from the bench or in a dog town it should be great, friend of mine has one in 308 and its a winner as well.

Have 22-250 and 22 hornet. Both crazy accurate. Love the factory 2 stage trigger.

5 shots from the hornet.

Not to mention the Ruger has nice looks.

I have a Ruger 77  Target rifle, in 223.   It comes with a very nice two stage trigger,  it is very easy to shoot!  Very accurate!

Had one of the first Rugers with the matte grey finish some years ago. It was chambered in 22-250 and was a consistent 1/2 MOA rig (5 shot group averages). The Ruger is definitely the looker out of the rifles you mentioned.

I have this

My buddy has this.
Both have leupold vxlll 6.5x20. Mine is accurate, and his is crazy frigin accurate. Makes mine look like the barrel is bent.

The Swifts are absolute murder.

I've had Rugers in the far past, 77's and #1's, they were OK on accuracy and really nice on operational features. I've had a 77/22 Hornet for many years, it's a classy rifle and I would not trade it for anything.

I juuuuust picked up a 77 MkII varmint in 22-250, because I always wanted one of the stainless/laminated rifles. I have not shot it yet. I spent a couple of hours last night pulling the trigger apart and getting it where I wanted it. That is a killer 2-stage trigger design if you know anything about triggers. Darn near foolproof as far as safety goes.

My serious rifles are all custom jobs, but having run local varmint rifle matches for many years and seen a LOT of rifles come through......I would never recommend a newer Savage to anyone. Those guys hold my line up more than anybody else with their problems. Ruger at least does a pretty good job on fit/finish/function for an off-the-shelf rifle, but Savage doesn't even try. Yes, they can shoot very well. No, they are not reliable.

PS - my other "off the shelf" rifle is a Tikka. Unfortunately it puts stock American-made rifles to shame.

I actually have a T3 in 243.  Very nice rifle.  I do have some concerns about the recoil lug design though.

I just bought a new savage .223 and 22 mag.


I'd by lying if I told you I was happy with either one.


I shoot better groups with my 10/22 than with either of these bolt guns.


I haven't given up yet on either one but I'm thinking I should have stuck with Ruger


or tried the T/C Dimension.

 

Between me and my two brothers, we have six Ruger 77 VT's in .25-06,  22-250. .220 Swift, .223 Rem, .243 Win, and .308 Win.  I have the .22-250 and the best I've got with it was .327" at 100 yards and my brother reports similar with his .220 Swift.  My older brother has had the other four rifles for years and has only shot the .25-06.  

I love the look and feel of the Rugers... I'd love to get one in .243 Win.  Not sure I've ever heard anything bad about them...

My cousin had a 77 VT. It was in 308 and very accurate.  I think the best accuracy he had with it was 5/8-3/4 inch groups at 100 yards with reloads.  All he had at the time was a cheap Simmons scope on it.  He kept it for a while and was happy with it then traded it off for something else he was wanting.