RE: Ruger vs Savage
If you are talking about a 17HMR I would get the Savage or a Marlin instead of a Ruger. They have a better track record as far as accuracy out of the box goes. And Savage makes some pretty nice 17's if you want to spend the extra money.
I have a plain jane savage 17HMR with the bull barrel, and no accu trigger and I am very happy with it. It will shoot at least MOA on a calm day and it's not even broken in yet. I only paid $200 for it before the scope.
The Rugers do feel more like a "real" rifle though instead of a rimfire. But some of the nicer savages are pretty darn nice as well.
Paul