Savage or Marlin?
 

I'm going to buy a .17 HMR very soon. I've been told to stay away from the Rugers. The Marlin looks very similar to the Savage although it has a plastic trigger that I don't care for. I thinkI'm leaning towards the Savage with the synthetic stock and SS bull barrel. Anyone have any advice or experience they would be willingto share? Thank you in advance.

RE: Savage or Marlin?
 

I dont know why you should stay away from the ruger. It shoots as good as any on the market. The savage is a good shooter too.

RE: Savage or Marlin?
 

I'm wanting to buy this one, still undecided!

RE: Savage or Marlin?
 

The fellow at the gun shop told me that they had not had goodluck with the Ruger 17 shooting as tight a group. Heck he had a Ruger to sell and was waiting for a shipment of Savages. I have yet to shoot a 17 so I cannot speak with ant experience.

RE: Savage or Marlin?
 

No experience but I do have advice.

Go with the savage since you are already leaning that way. From what I hear Rugers either shoot fabulously or not at all its luck of the draw, but savages are famed for being out-of-the-box very very few exections tack-drivers. The only complaint I've heard since the new accutriggers come out (which I have experienced and it is indeed a good one...nothing a visit to the gunsmith can't do for the next rifle) is the soft synthetic stocks. For most hunters this isn't an issue. The other complaint (aesthetics) isn't really an issue for most hunters either considering what they paid for an accurate reliable gun.

RE: Savage or Marlin?
 

Rebel that is a beauty.

RE: Savage or Marlin?
 

I had the Savage 93R17 FVSS and found this rifle was not balance very well. Because of the bull barrel and the light stock this rifle was heavy towards the front. Also the trigger guard is molded in with the stock all as one piece. Take a look at the Savage model 93R17 BVSS with the laminated stock. This model may be better balanced and I think the trigger guard is metal. Just something to look for when handling the Savage rifles...

RE: Savage or Marlin?
 

Thanks Trailer. Trailer you said ' had ' . Did you get rid of it and if you did what did you replace it with?

RE: Savage or Marlin?
 

So you noticed the word had....Well I wasn’t getting the accuracy I was hoping for and it could have been just my particular rifle so I didn’t want to mention anything but I would rather reload my own bullets and ended up going for a 222 Rem. center fire. I also wanted something for longer distance then the .17 and cheap to shoot... and no I didn’t want a 223...:eek: Good luck...

RE: Savage or Marlin?
 

I have a Savage 17 HMR an I love it! I totally suggest you go for the Savage. It shootsmore accurate as any gun on the market. Mine will hit dead center at 300 yards and I dont even know why you would need to shoot that far.

RE: Savage or Marlin?
 

Savage has a couple new 17s for 06 you might want to check out. I like the idea of the accu-trigger. http://www.savagearms.com/2006_pressrelease.htm

RE: Savage or Marlin?
 

I purchased the Ruger 77 in 17 HMR for my landowner that allows me to hunt there. He has a groundhog problem around his barn and he said he wanted to see how it shot, so I bought it for him as a thank you. This gun is incredible!!! It shoots .25" groups at 50 yards, with Hornady ammo. He has taken 5 hogs with it this year, shooting most in the eye/nose area with it. I wished Ida kept it for myself. :D

RE: Savage or Marlin?
 

You have a pretty incredible rifle if you shoot out to 300 yards being consistent on the target... I found with any little wind, the bullet would drift past 100 yards and even at 100 yards sometimes depending on the wind...

RE: Savage or Marlin?
 

I'm right in the same boat. I'm looking to purchace a 17 hmr also. Have seen the savage and the marlin, but only thru glass. both look practically identical. I'm looking at the one with the bull target barrel. Had finally decided on the Marlin cause I have several other dependable marlins, but I haven't actually gone out and bought the gun yet. Guess I'm going to keep my eye on this post.:D

RE: Savage or Marlin?
 

The savage and the marlin are very close to the same rifle pretty much. Go with which ever looks and feels best to YOU. Both will be very accurate for a decent price. I have savage heavy barrel with the wood stock and love it. I like the shorter mag as well.

Another thing to keep in mind is the new savages can be had with the accutrigger now. This is a huge improvement since the tiggers on the older savages and the marlins suck out of the box. You either need to re work them or get a rifle basics trigger for 60-70 bucks and put it in.

The rugers are nice rifles, feel more like a centerfire than the other two and the build quality is a bit better. However I have heard they have accuracy issues as well compared to the marlin and savage, which is not good considering the price. IF you want to spend more money there are better choices than the ruger in my opinion.

I love those Henry's as well. I had one in a .22 and it was a great rifle. They are not too fun to shoot off from a bench though;). I think a lever gun in 17HM2 would be a wicked squirrel gun!

Paul

RE: Savage or Marlin?
 

Thanks for the link Sharkey. Thank you to everyone who has responded. Paul, would you buy the Savage again?

RE: Savage or Marlin?
 

Yep, I love savage weapons. I think they are great buys for the money. I used to a have a 110E in 30-06 in the 80's. I sold it to a buddy who still has it and it works great. The fit and finnish isn't as nice as some of the better rifles, but niether is the price;). We had a remington pump at the same time and I thought my savage was the much better weapon. It wasn't as pretty but it was more accurate, had less recoil, and cost less money.

If I had it to do over again I would get the same gun I have but with the accutrigger. I don't like the extended magazine on the marlins either, that is where I put my hand when I shoot. If I had the money I might get a stainless version with the laminated stock. I am thinking of getting an after market stock for mine.

Mine right out of the box would shoot at least 1 inch groups at 100 yards (with no wind) with the hornady V-max ammo. And it's not even broken in yet! I do have a pretty nice scope and mounts though. I have an Alaskan Guide 6.5-20x44 A/O scope from cabela's that cost twice what the gun did.

I compared it to some .22 ammo not that long ago for accuracy and drop at 50,75, and 100 yards. I fired 3 shots at each range aiming at the same point. All nine shots from the 17 went into a hole a dime would cover. My conclusion, very accurate and very flat out to 100 yards. And my savage was only 200 bucks before tax. I did fix the trigger though, but it was just as accurate before I did that.

That being said I wouldn't refuse a marlin if you wanted to give me one either, or if it was the only thing available. I have had a few marlins as well and they are great guns too. I'd also be happy with a H&R single shot, you should take a look at those, probably be cheaper than the savage or marlin.

Paul

RE: Savage or Marlin?
 

Thanks Paul. I guess now all I need to do is figure out which stock ( laminated or synthetic ) and then put a scope on it.

RE: Savage or Marlin?
 

i would go with the savage and bull barell with a scope
my two cents