I would say that in terms of value, I'd rate them Savage then Ruger. Savage has really given the other manufacturers a run for their money of late because they offer high dollar features (button rifling, free floated barrels, pillar bedded stocks, etc...) on their rifles at bargain prices. They aren't the prettiest rifles to look at but they definately have it where it counts. Savage rifles have a widespread and well deserved reputation for outstanding accuracy. Sub-MOA groups are common with sporter weight Savage rifles. Savage also offers by far the finest factor trigger system on any production rifle costing less than $1000. The Accu-Trigger is well worth the roughly $75 price increase in all so equipped rifles, and the trigger is now available on almost all of the Savage centerfire models.

Ruger is my choice for second place in terms of quality for the money. I love my Ruger M77VT. Ruger used to have a reputation for hit-or-miss accuracy (pun intended), which was caused by Ruger contracting out barrel production to other companies that produced sub-standard barrels. Ruger has since begun producing all their own barrels in house to much higher quality control standards, and the accuracy issues seem to be a thing of the past. My rifle shoots consistant .75MOA or less, and has had groups as small as 0.10MOA at 200 yards shooting handloads. All Ruger M77 MkII rifles also come with factory milled scope mounts in the receivers and a set of matching rings.

My only word of warning is DO NOT BUY A REMINGTON 710, no mater how cheap it is. They are absolute JUNK and not worth 10% of their asking price. If you fail to heed this warning then be prepared for an "I told you so" from me!

Good luck with whatever rifle you choose.

Mike