Ruger Hawkeye Vs. Savage Varmint LP

AZ RON

AZ RON

New member
I'm stuck between these two rifles. I'm going to get a 22-250, but I can't decide which one. Big differences are the Ruger is a 1 in 14" twist while the savage is a 1 in 9" twist. Even with the low twist the Hawkeye still gets great reviews. I was hoping some of the more experienced could help me out. I really am torn is there something that really sets these two apart? Right now I am leaning towards the Savage, but I don't know anyone who owns either of them so I'm going off what I read and the stats I can compare.

http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/finder/#

http://www.ruger.com/products/HawkeyePredator/models.html

Thanks in advance
 
They're both bound to be shooters. I've never met a Ruger or Savage that wasn't. Me personally,I'd get the Ruger. It's a better lookin rifle in my opinion. But I'm a Ruger guy so that figures. I don't have any experience with the Ruger Hawkeye Predator in that particular caliber but they're super nice,accurate rifles.
 
The Savage will be had to beat when it comes to accuracy. I've owned a Savage VLP 22-250 for several years and even though it has almost 4900 rds thru it will still shoot well under an inch groups with 55 gr Sierra BK and Varget. Another plus for Savages is the ease of swapping out barrels.
 
The M77 has a reputation for having a particularly rough trigger. It could be quick work for a skilled gunsmith and not cost too much however I've never met an AccuTrigger I didn't like so that makes me kind of lean towards the Savage. I also read a write up by the Fox pro furtakers and most of them with the exception of I think one used Ruger Hawkeyes topped with Nightforce optics. Other than the fact that they have to use what their sponsored by with the money those guys have they're probably not going to be using any junk so that is a plus for Ruger.
 
Originally Posted By: TnslimThe Savage will be had to beat when it comes to accuracy. I've owned a Savage VLP 22-250 for several years and even though it has almost 4900 rds thru it will still shoot well under an inch groups with 55 gr Sierra BK and Varget. Another plus for Savages is the ease of swapping out barrels.

I love hearing from people who actually own what were talking about because there is no better source, but knowledge is knowledge and I'll take it from anyone. +1 for the barrel swapping on a savage I'm going through a barrel swap on a Tikka right now and it's been particularly tough because I forgot to mention that the barrel was going to be for a Tikka so they did not trim the barrel to fit the Tikka smaller receiver.
 
I have a Ruger hawkeye predator in 22-250. Factory 55 grain Vmax shot sub MOA from the first shot. Hand loads and 52's have been even better. I did need to do some filing to free up some pressure in the blind mag and hinged floor plate. I also have to admit that I HATE the factory two-stage trigger, although it is still in the rifle. I didn't want to change things during the coyote season but now that it's almost over I will be finding a suitable replacement.

I am also looking at a Savage VLP but due to its weight it won't be a primary calling rifle for me. I like the moderate weight of my Ruger compared to the Savage.
 
This is the exact kind of advice I was hoping to get. It's also what I've heard many times before. The Ruger is an excellent rifle except the trigger is terrible. Let me ask you this based on your statement about the Savage if it was not so heavy say it only weighed 8 pounds like the Ruger would you go with the savage over the Ruger?
 
What exactly are you planning on doing with it? Big difference in weight between those two.

Haven't heard to many great things about the Hawkeye. Trigger really upsets people which could be because the American comes with the newer trigger.
 
Originally Posted By: zerowolf What exactly are you planning on doing with it?

Predator hunt mostly. A friend of mine spent 3 hours this morning trying to convince me to abandon the 22-250 altogether and go with 6.5 Creedmoor which I know ZERO about. I'm easily influenced lol. I want an extremely flat trajectory with the best accuracy possible. Is that too much to ask for? Haha
 
I have the Ruger Predator series and to truthful I think the LC6 trigger is good to go. I bedded mine but some people on here haven't. My 22 250 is sub moa if I do my part. The 6.5 is a different critter altogether. The biggest thing on the Ruger is making sure the stock is torqued correctly, then it's a blast.
 
I don't own either one. I haven't handled them either.
I remember the days when you could buy guns from a catalog. Darn I'm getting old.
The biggest issue I see based on what you and others have/have not posted is.... What weight bullets do you intend to use? Do you NEED the faster twist rate of the Savage? 1/14 for the Ruger. 1/9 for the Savage. Will that be a concern for you?
Best of Luck on your decision,
Don
 
Originally Posted By: AZ RON This is the exact kind of advice I was hoping to get. It's also what I've heard many times before. The Ruger is an excellent rifle except the trigger is terrible. Let me ask you this based on your statement about the Savage if it was not so heavy say it only weighed 8 pounds like the Ruger would you go with the savage over the Ruger?

I probably would own a Savage if it were the same weight of the Ruger. I don't, and never have, owned a Savage but all the reports of their inherent accuracy have me wanting to try one. A VLP in .204 is on my short list. I think it would make an excellent prairie dog rifle and occasionally be used as a coyote hunting rifle. I also shoot suppressed so the added weight of the suppressor makes the VLP even less desirable for a carry rifle.
 
Originally Posted By: NcWhitetailWhat weight bullets do you intend to use? Do you NEED the faster twist rate of the Savage? 1/14 for the Ruger. 1/9 for the Savage. Will that be a concern for you?
Best of Luck on your decision,
Don

The gun will be used 90% for coyotes so it will be a lighter bullet I imagine. The point of the 22-250 is straight line trajectory at extreme speeds. This would probably point me at the lower grains. It will come down to what they like though. Is there a disadvantage to a faster twist rate or an advantage to a slower one?
 
Faster twist barrels are usually needed for longer/heavy for caliber bullets. 1/9 should handle up to about 80 grain bullets. But, you want speed for flatter trajectory so heavy bullets are not a concern for your intended use.

I have heard of fast twist rifles combined with high velocities spinning a bullet so fast it flies apart. I don't think you will have that problem in a .22-250. They're fast but not that fast.

I brought up the twist rates 'cause I didn't know what your intended use was. Based on your planned use the twist rate will be a very small factor. If, it is a factor at all. If I remember correctly 1/14 should be good for bullets as heavy as 55grs. Some rifles with a 1/14 twist will stabilize heavier bullets; some won't.
 
My next gun is going to be a howa in 22-250. But out if your two I would go with the savage. I only own 2 rifles that are not savage rifles. Ones a 30-30 and the other is a 22lr. I have never had any issues with a savage. Plus savage rifles just shoot. Only reason I'm getting a howa is because the axiom looks to cool not to try.
 
That SS laminate stocked Hawkeye sure is purdy eye candy! I
haven't owned one, so cannot really comment otherwise. I do have
a RAP in .204, which a load was finally found to get 5/8", five
shot group, but that is apples to oranges. But for the life of
me, cannot understand why anyone still makes a .22 barrel 1:14
twist, as in the Hawkeye. They may shoot 55gr bullets ok, but
seems to be a gamble. My Rem 788 will shoot them, but not
near as accurate as 50gr bullets.

I have three older blind-magazine VLP's in .22-250, .243 and
.25-06 and all shoot well under MOA. Have gotten 1/4" groups
with both SA models. However, they do get heavy at much over
1/2 mile.
 
I actually just bought a Hawkeye in .223 yesterday, mounted a Leupold VX-6 2-12 scope on it and will go sight it in next week. To me, the two-stage trigger was a plus, because my AR's all run Geissle triggers, so I'm used to them. And the trigger feels PERFECT right out of the box, no creep, light crisp break. I'm obviously hoping for good accuracy. Plan to suppress it soon. I probably went this way because the laminate stock is almost camo in its effect, there is no bright bluing to flash, and the trigger was a plus. I have never personally liked the triggers that aren't a simple curved piece of metal, regardless of what the reviews say. You gotta love the gun you go with is my two cents!
 
If you never plan to use it on anything bigger than coyote then i see no reason not to get it... 22-250 is fun. If you are trying to squeeze every bit of speed out of it then a longer barrel would be a bonus.

That extra 2 lbs is a lot of you are going to be moving around a lot or climbing hills. If you can't decide by the stats try them both out and go with the one you like the feel/like of the most.
 
I am going to solely varmint and predator hunt with it, but I want to reserve the right to make 500 yard kills. Is this possible with a 22-250 with 1 in 14 twist? Will the lighter bullets reach that far?
 


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