Overall, Thompson Center Compass and Ruger American are great bolt-action rifles for budget-minded shooters that want something affordable. It Started With a Raffle. In 1919, this logo made its first appearance: How do we go from a company in New York to a logo with the head of this distinguished gentleman? The rifles are similar enough to each other, with a few exceptions. Let’s talk for just a minute on the two triggers these rifles employ. Ruger American vs. When we went to the local gun shop to pick it up and do the paperwork we chose the 6.5 Creedmoor model. I don’t own many – I have the required .22, a Ruger 10/22 and an AR-15-style 5.56 with many magazines (that were given to me by an ex-Army friend of one of our sons), and a Gamo air rifle (OK, my tongue is in my cheek, although the rifle is handy for pest reduction). I started putting together some loads using once-fired Winchester factory cases. The latest actual statistics are available for 2016, with the percentage of deer kills by handgun at around .5%). Welcome to the Predator Masters Forums Be sure to visit the main Predator Master website at. And, let us not forget the fact that it will shoot a 3-shot group at 100 yards tighter than ½ inch. Son Andy picked up one of these rifles at the same shop a while later. The rifle and scope combination have an MSRP of $484, but are easily found online for as little as $380. Triggers on the Axis models I’ve seen aren’t overly impressive, but at a cost of about $450, you can step up to the Axis II rifle and get the Savage Accutrigger and a Weaver Kaspa 3-9×40 scope. I looked at the Ruger American Predator rifle along with the Savage and decided to go with the Savage. The 6.5 Creedmoor was not meant to be fired in subsonic form. Ruger American or Savage Axis II; If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. Savage is a company that has been a long known for their value in the shooting world. And, speaking of stocks, I can’t hit home enough about the texturing that Savage puts into their synthetic stocks (at least they did when they made this series of Axis rifles). For well under $500, any hunter can have a seriously capable rifle. And going off of that, the ford guy can't actually say why ford is better, but will just tell you chevy sucks. The Savage Axis series is widely considered to be the inspiration for the current generation of bargain basement tack drivers, including the Ruger American, Mossberg Patriot, and Remington 783. With the Mossberg, no trigger pull is needed. Here are specifications for each of them – we’ll look at these first then get into a bit more detail later. The 3-shot group is under a half inch at 100 yards…not too shabby, considering that I’m better with handguns as a rule. Now, if we were sitting in the open, that could be enough to put wings under that deer and “there he was…gone!”. Mike has been a shooter, bullet caster and reloader for over 40 years. For entry-level hunting guns, these triggers are fine. With this caliber, I could hunt deer, coyotes and other small-to-medium size critters. This allowed Savage to expand production into these areas, with the model 39 combination rifle-shotgun being introduced in 1939 and a line of inexpensive double-barrel shotguns around that time. Fox was known for its fine shotguns, and Stevens had made popular the rifle-shotgun combination gun. Ruger American vs savage axis vs savage trophy hunter XP? Call me old-fashioned, but I like it. I cut my shooting teeth on that type of firearm. They make a lot of rifles. They built the first hammerless lever-action rifle, the model 1895. I use shooting sticks in the blind, either a monopod or bipod. This, from a company that now is known for its rifles – not handguns. I like the Savage safety – it’s a slider on the tang on the wrist of the stock. Ask a guy who's dad always drove ford and he will always promote ford and never buy a chevy. Just lift the bolt handle, press the bolt release and pull the bolt out. The American's semi-vented recoil pad is functional, but again, intentionally ugly. So he has a grand total of five bucks into his rifle!. The ruger … Predator. Well, the Axis II XP is an upgraded version of Savage’s extremely influential bolt … At any rate, I never had many rifles in my gun safe because I didn’t have a use for them. The Mossberg is polymer and holds 5 rounds, while the Savage magazine is steel and holds four. Although both stocks are synthetic, the Mossberg’s camo stock seems more at home in the woods. A real plus about the Savage bolt is that it is very hard to get the bolt to bind when pushing on the bolt handle. This is a heck of a lot of gun for the money. I'm looking for a 223 and have narrowed my search to one of these two mainly because of there price point and positive reviews. Get our PDF with 13 pistol & rifle targets (worth $48) including expert instructions for FREE! Specifications: Savage Arms Axis II XP. Sniper Country is reader-supported. Ruger American Predator. the tikka t3 (or CTR model) is fantastic. If you’ve had experience with the Savage Axis IIXP (or any Savage rifle, for that matter), feel free to chime in below. To figure out who comes out on top in the Thompson Center Compass vs Ruger American comparison, it’s necessary to check out the features. As I said above, the Mossberg had not been shot when Andy picked it up. Within a few years they were making rifles, handguns and ammunition. With a target range in his backyard and after 40 years of shooting, his knowledge of firearms and reloading is fairly extensive. I have two Ruger Americans, one a standard in 243 and the other a predator in 6.5 creedmoor, with the 22 in barrels on both. ), he will shoot from an “official” bench at a real target for groups. The bolts are similar, with two locking lugs, single claw extractor and spring-loaded ejector. Both safeties work fine but the Savage is more ergonomic, at least in my humble opinion. Now that we’ve had a bit of history about these two calibers, let’s look at the rifles. The safety is in exactly the right spot for this left-hander…right on top of the stock wrist, behind the bolt. Available calibers include .22-250, .243 Winchester, .270 Winchester, 7mm-08, .308 Winchester and .30-06. With the order he shot them, these bullets are very close to MOA accuracy. This is traditional, but hard for lefties like me to operate. First, the Mossberg…. If you hit the handle a bit off-center, the bolt usually still goes home, into battery. If you lean against a tree as an impromptu rest, try to keep even pressure on the forend. These triggers allow some really nice shooting to happen without the added expense of going to an aftermarket trigger or paying a gunsmith beaucoup bucks to work on it. It’s interesting to note that the fee has been paid yearly, right up through 2018. The advantage of being able to do that is that you can learn on a “beginner” rifle, switch to a more advanced model and not have to learn new ways of operating said rifle. #2816078 - 03/23/15 11:13 PM Re: Ruger American Predator vs. Savage Axis II [Re: SDCoyoteCaller] FairChase93 Die Hard Member II Registered: 01/07/14 Posts: 1268 Loc: Western South Dakota To me it would come down to the v blocks in the stock of the American. I just want to make the point that I was a dedicated handgun hunter but wanted to expand my universe to include a centerfire rifle that didn’t shoot a pistol cartridge, and I found a dandy. And receive our newsletter with the best articles covering guides, guns & gear. I imagine it to be the case with the AXIS as well, but the stock is junk. 's pretty much always should be reworded to "Which one do you own" vs which would you buy. Development occurred via a partnership between Hornady Senior Ballistics Scientist Dave Emary and Dennis DeMille, VP of product development for Creedmoor Sports. Notice the bit of texturing on the Savage – this does help if your hands are wet or cold. Ruger American vs. TC Compass vs. Savage Axis I'm a walnut and steel guy for sure, but have been considering the various bottom price entry level rifles that abound right now. That keeps the pressure on the bottom of the stock, not on just one side. The weight difference is not all that great – hard to tell by carrying one after the other. Final Thoughts: Thompson Center Compass vs. Ruger American At this point, it’s highly likely that you already know what the rifles have to offer in term of features, accessories and so on. The top-line target rifles will have a more sensitive, adjustable trigger – in some cases, with a pull weight of down to a few ounces. Both guns use a simple “press-this-lever-down”-type switch, but there is one big difference: the Savage requires you to pull the trigger in order to release the bolt. This rifle was either a trade-in or consignment (probably the latter) that had obviously never been shot. I’ve experienced slick stocks on both long guns and handguns, and it’s not fun to have to try to catch the gun as it slips from your frozen fingers. if going savage consider the model 10. i've never been impressed with the axis especially the mags and their retention system. He had not had an opportunity to shoot it until just recently, and then only for a few shots. That’s a great price, but not really a great gun. I'm stuck between the ruger American, savage axis and the savage trophy hunter XP. can't speak about the Predator. I want to buy a new rifle. He very slightly moved his hand in order to disengage the safety. Thanks. Needless to say, the Colt won the contract but what is interesting is the fact that the Savage made it to the finals. The magazines are a bit different, in terms of construction. My handloads were not far off that mark. I've never fired a Ruger American but I do own a Savage Edge (same as an Axis) with a Rifle Basix trigger. On a hunting gun, though, you don’t really want an ultralight trigger. Add in a pair of insulated gloves and it doesn’t take much of a mis-move to drop your rifle. A review of the Ruger American can be found on the Rifle Information - Reviews page. Was thinking about getting a Ruger American rifle or Savage Axis in 308. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. (I was a deer hunter before but I used that .44 and a Ruger .45 Colt – I am in the approximate 1% of hunters in my state that take deer with a handgun. Jump to Latest Follow 1 - 9 of 9 Posts. Best 9mm Ammo 2019 [Self-Defense & Target], 6.5 Creedmoor vs .243 Win – Cartridge Comparison, [Review] Ruger American Pistol – One Nice .45. That’s revolver territory! Being the unrepentant reloader that I am, I immediately got a set of dies, some bullets (couldn’t use my home-cast here) and the proper powders. The only ammo he’d been able to get was some S&B 108-grain FMJ ammo he’d picked up with the gun. Its Predator model comes in varmint rounds, but also the 6.5 Creedmoor and .308 Win., so it can also be an excellent deer and do-it-all gun. The Axis II Precision retails for $949 which, for a precision rifle, comes in considerably lower priced than the majority of other options. We will do that the first chance we have. Trying to get ammo and a scope. Of course. (The .41-inch-group I show below is proof of that). The texturing allows me to get a firm grasp on the gun and to keep my hands there, even with bulky gloves on. First, the Mossberg then the Savage. The only thing they will agree on is don't buy a dodge. of recoil with the 6.5 dishing up just a tad more. A versatile rifle. Remington had to answer, and the new Remington 783 is it. I have almost gotten myself worked up to buying a Ruger American Predator next time the PX runs a sale just to see what the fuss is all about. definitely priceier but worth every penny and … Savage Axis-$300. The fluting on the Mossberg’s bolt body adds to the pizzazz factor and helps the bolt ride smoothly in the channel. Predator was my choice mainly because it comes threaded(Suppressor). You also chose .308 instead of a lighter predator round, again because you wanted a tactical rifle, but then you complain about recoil. I would probably choose the patriot over the axis and this is coming from a Savage fan. The company was founded in 1894 by Arthur Savage in Utica, New York. (I did not get a chance to measure the rifles’ trigger pulls with my Lyman gauge but, rest assured, both triggers are very usable the way they sit). Savage Axis II XP vs Mossberg Patriot Predator. After all the smoke has cleared and all the noise has died down, taking a look at the Mossberg Patriot vs Ruger American debate through unbiased eyes, the evidence clearly points to one winner – the Ruger American. As for my Savage, I’d put probably the equivalent of 7-8 boxes of ammo through it, both factory and my handloads. I understand that it is an entry-level rifle, but also know that, if I wanted a more sophisticated platform, I could stay within the Savage brand and get a real uptown model, with all the bells & whistles. At any rate, he didn’t do bad considering the conditions…. Now, the buttstocks. I chose the Predator for much the same reasons as sdprairieghost, These ? When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. It was chambered in the modern super-duper caliber, 6.5 Creedmoor. The blade in the trigger is called the AccuRelease (marketing…). They have a short video about their trigger – you can watch it here. Suppressor, possibly but then you get into the subsonic debate. As far as the caliber of my Savage rifle, I settled on the .243 Winchester one day when I was in my friend Duane’s gun shop and saw his display of Ruger and Savage bargain rifles. Both barrels are free-floated to the receiver. Again, no big deal but it might matter to some. I owned a savage once. The procedures stay pretty much the same. F ... My American in 308 makes a 5 shot group under a inch. Either of these guns would suffice for hunting deer-sized game at reasonable yardages or going into a coyote-rich environment and reducing their numbers a bit, but I really like my Savage. This is a popular gun that sells very well and is in the same price range as my Savage. Then I thought that it might be good to have something that could reach out farther than my .44 Magnum S&W could, which this gun does admirably. I said up top that I am a handgun guy, first and foremost, and for me to get a group like that, this gun must be something sort of special. The Savage uses what they call the AccuTrigger. Not really a fan of Mossberg or Savage to be honest but thing do change. It's a mistake never to be repeated. On with the story – in 1920, Savage acquired the Stevens Arms company, and followed it up nine years later by buying the A.H. Fox Gun Company and moving its production to Utica. Well, that was the year that Chief Lame Deer approached Arthur Savage about building rifles at a discount for his tribe in New York in exchange for his likeness and a yearly fee. Having owned a Savage Axis 308 and a Ruger American 22-250.........I'd stick with the Ruger. However, this target was shot with Winchester 100-grain Super-X ammo, as the target shows. This is a very small thing, but those of you out there who’ve been in similar circumstances know what I’m talking about. But, I’ve hunted more than one season with my Savage and the matte black stock disappears in a hunting blind. The Savage Axis II XP lists for $495 but I paid much less for it at the shop, and it even included a Bushnell Banner 3x9x40 scope. Working our way rearward, here are the pistol grips. This group from the Savage Axis2 was the best of any rifle in the test- especially considering it was at 200 yards. Another thing I like about my rifle is the texturing on the forend and on the pistol grip. It seems that the Savage Axis owners that I’ve been able to talk to have experienced sub-MOA groups with their stock, factory rifles. I like the fact that Savage uses a metal magazine and mag well. But, the Mossberg magazine well is polymer as well. Enter some new regulations for deer hunting and the proliferation of coyotes in the fields across the road from our front yard and bingo – rifles are cool! If you know anything about any of the rifles please tell me and a recommendation would held too. About all I could find out about the Mossberg LBA (Lightning Bolt Action) adjustable trigger is that it is user-adjustable from 2 – 7 pounds…. Those of you who read my reviews and articles know that I am by and large a handgun guy. It catches the sear if the gun is jarred or dropped, preventing the rifle from firing inadvertently. As far as these stocks go, they are inexpensively made (relatively) and tend to be a bit “whippy.” From a bench, the rifles are fine, but you might want to be aware of the flex factor. ... Savage Axis or Ruger American [Re: ameliafoxkiller] The Famous Grouse Die Hard Member II Registered: 12/09/09 Posts: 1116 Loc: St. Paul, MN Both are good rifles. The rest is fairly evident if walk into a gun shop and see a Savage rifle for sale – they’re doing pretty well, by all measurements of success. Now, I get it – most manufacturers make what Sears used to call “good-better-best” rifles, but I like the Savage. At any rate, these guns are not going to punish your shoulder. Anyway, we will work up loads using my chronograph and back yard range. I like my Savage. I know that rifle accuracy can be an ephemeral, flighty thing that doesn’t always fall on the gun you have in your hands at the time. If $200-$300: I would probably try to find a ruger american at $300 and would look at compass as well. He won it in a raffle at our local Safari Club International banquet about a year and a half ago.. I’ll keep my matte black stock just the way it is, thank you. The Remington 721/722 appeared in 1948, but before World War II Savage made an even less costly … Savage Axis. As always, shoot whenever you can and be safe! Again, that’s the fun part. I've thought about picking up one of the Savage Axis rifles to go with my Ruger American .30-06 and maybe experiment with a new caliber, but seems like the consensus is leaning towards the RAR. Here are the bolt releases. I said we were going to look at the Savage alongside the Mossberg, so let’s look at some specifications…, Best Concealed Carry Insurance [Comparison Chart]. This review is about the Savage Axis IIXP. Now, Savage uses a logo that looks like this: I’ll leave it to you, dear reader, as to why the company changed its logo. To me it would come down to the v blocks in the stock of the American. Now, let’s look at the stocks…. To put it in a nutshell – these guns can shoot. I just figure that a slightly-stiff bolt lift is endemic to the breed of lesser-expensive rifles. Both are slicker than grease on a glass door knob. Never one to be satisfied with the status quo, he is often found at his reloading bench concocting yet another load. The American Rifle was Ruger’s way of making a pretty bold challenge. We will, first do any unboxing. An Axis, which can be had left-handed, plus a Rifle Basix trigger essentially gives you a left-handed Axis II. The Mossberg’s trigger did feel a bit “mushier” than that in the Savage, although the final results feel fairly equal. One thing about the bolt lift – each one of these requires a bit of effort to lift the bolt handle. So, these groups will do for now but the fun comes in the experimentation as we all know. Savage axis, th xp, weatherby vanguard s2, tikka lite, ruger american/predator are all good choices. Being the unrepentant reloader that I am, I immediately got a set of dies, some bullets (couldn’t use my home-cast here) and the proper powders. You can read about the Colt’s history here, and the .45 ACP’s here. WWII saw the company making Thompson sub-machine guns and Lee-Enfield rifles for the British. Introduced by Hornady in 2007, this round (like the .243) was originally based on the .308 case. More on topic, I have a Ruger American Predator in 260 (aka 6.5-08). Now, let’s look at specific rifles. Savage Axis II Combination 3.8 / 5.0 Real World Pricing: <$450.00. The MSRP is $449. Ruger American-$300. As for the safeties, the Mossberg uses a slider on the opposite side of the stock as the bolt release. Savage Axis XP - comes with a 3-9x40 scope package, doesn't have Accutrigger (but I've heard I don't need it), costs about $320 Ruger American - no scope but does have an adjustable trigger and costs $300. TWO: Ruger entered the inexpensive gun market with its American rifle line, which is very similar in design as the others with its injection-molded plastic stock that sports integrally molded bedding pillars. Can you do better? Mind, mine is the bargain-basement model that sells for around $400 with a scope and is not the almost-custom-shop level guns that Savage also makes. re: Ruger American vs Savage Axis ii Posted by LSUSUPERSTAR on 1/11/21 at 7:20 pm to jimbeam I just bought the Ruger American Predator in 6.5. A lot of shooters don’t know that Savage was one of the two finalists in the Army’s pistol trials that ended with the adoption of the Colt Model of 1911 .45 ACP. The thing about triggers on most any modern rifle is that they are light years ahead of the stock trigger on an entry-level budget rifle of years ago. The Axis II with the accutrigger is a great choice. The Official Predator Masters Search Engine. One last plus is the accuracy. OK…enough about that. The other budget rifle I would like to use for comparison is the Mossberg Patriot Predator. I discovered that fact when I was researching the old warhorse and its cartridge for an earlier article. If you had to choose between these two rifles, which one would you choose and why? The American-made Savage Axis II XP is extremely budget friendly. Muzzel brake! If $300-$400: Remington 700, Savage 11, or Howa. The famous AccuTrigger was introduced in 2002, and the company was named Manufacturer of the Year in 2003 by the Shooting Industry Academy of Excellence. One main difference between the two is that the Mossberg has a threaded barrel and would accept a muzzle device of some sort – suppressor, muzzle brake – although I’m not sure why you’d put a muzzle brake on this barely-recoiling rifle.