Thread: Ruger American/Redfield or Howa lite package?

i have two ruger americans and rate them highly. i got the 223 SS all weather and did this group at 100m recently which was the first time i'd ever shot at a range and with factory hornady ammo


here's a link to a thread, i did a bit of a review on it
http://www.nzhuntingandshooting.co.n...r-223-a-18758/

Best advice I ever got was to try them all in the shop. It's great advice. I was set on something completely different from my laptop chair, but in the shop one in particular was just exactly what I wanted after trying it.

Go and try them and you'll know what you want. It can be something as simple as liking the mag or safety on one more than the others.

I was looking between the Savage and the Marlin until I tried the Howa.
The Savage didn't suit me at all. The stock is very light and plasticy.
The Marlin was better but I would've still had to of added a thicker stock pad.
But the Howa fitted me way better than the other 2.
Only problem I have with the Howa, is the absolute rubbish Hogue stock. It has more flex in it than soggy spaghetti.
The action etc is flawless and I really like the 3 position safety as well. It is far more smoother to use than both the Savage and the Marlin. Just the stock lets it down big time. It is a shame because the stock feels so nice to hold, even when wet.
Just as well there are other stocks available out there

Originally Posted by cambo

Only problem I have with the Howa, is the absolute rubbish Hogue stock. It has more flex in it than soggy spaghetti.
The action etc is flawless and I really like the 3 position safety as well. It is far more smoother to use than both the Savage and the Marlin. Just the stock lets it down big time. It is a shame because the stock feels so nice to hold, even when wet.

Do Howa use a 3-position safety now too? Is it on the tang like the Savage 3-posn or on the side? I've used an older Howa-actioned Weatherby which had an awkward clunky 2-pos safety that my thumb could barely reach. Sloppy clunky bolt too, didn't get on with it at all.

I looked at a Howa in the shop and could push the floppy hogue stock against the barrel with one finger - the surface may feel nicer/more upmarket than a basic synthetic version Savage etc but I'd rather the Savage for actually shooting (mine is a nice wooden one anyway, but aside from that). Then there is the accustock Weather Warrior, if you're flexing one of those you're doing something wrong.

Originally Posted by GravelBen

Do Howa use a 3-position safety now too? Is it on the tang like the Savage 3-posn or on the side? I've used an older Howa-actioned Weatherby which had an awkward clunky 2-pos safety that my thumb could barely reach. Sloppy clunky bolt too, didn't get on with it at all.

I looked at a Howa in the shop and could push the floppy hogue stock against the barrel with one finger - the surface may feel nicer/more upmarket than a basic synthetic version Savage etc but I'd rather the Savage for actually shooting (mine is a nice wooden one anyway, but aside from that). Then there is the accustock Weather Warrior, if you're flexing one of those you're doing something wrong.

Howa's safety is on the side very easy to reach with thumb. Very nice 3 position safety. Really like that function on it.
bolt is very smooth and much nicer to use in comparison to the Savage Axis or Marlin X7 imo. But they are only entry level bang sticks.
Stock is the only downside on the Howa.

Awesome feedback, thanks guys. Where in Auckland has the best Savage range? I have a feeling I might go Howa. Like the stock, its threaded, stainless steel and I can upgrade the scope in time.

I've got a howa after looking at other models mentioned but got a wooden stock that is factory floated and bedded. A little heavier than the houge but no flex at all and no plastic in the rifle either

Howa again, I've got two of them, a standard in 7mm rem mag and a lite in 223. Yes the stocks are flexible without bedding but they are still nicer than those Tupperware counterparts and have a nice butt pad, and if you are looking at the lite, the floating is big enough for you to use a bipod and still not touch the barrel.
The scopes, yes aren't the finest but I just upgraded them when I had the money,

Again, I'm bias so you should check them all in hand,

That linked "weather warrior" is a fucking bargain. They are 12-1300 new here. Same as the trophy hunter but with a way better stock. That will be a very accurate and capable rifle

Originally Posted by Nick-D

That linked "weather warrior" is a fucking bargain. They are 12-1300 new here. Same as the trophy hunter but with a way better stock. That will be a very accurate and capable rifle

the one i linked to?
That is the new Ruger American All Weather, a cheaper version rifle. The weather warrior is the one that's been around for years? the american has only been around a year or so.

Originally Posted by smidey

the one i linked to?
That is the new Ruger American All Weather, a cheaper version rifle. The weather warrior is the one that's been around for years? the american has only been around a year or so.

Think he was talking about the Savage Weather Warrior which Jakewire linked to. Which really is a bargain, I'm tempted to grab one myself.

Originally Posted by GravelBen

Think he was talking about the Savage Weather Warrior which Jakewire linked to. Which really is a bargain, I'm tempted to grab one myself.

Probably was haha

Sent from my workbench

Ah yes the Savage Axis doesn't have a good rep at all, I haven't used one but would probably agree on that point if I had!

I was talking about the Mod.10 based rifles which are a completely different action, stock, everything. I have a Mod.14 American Classic which has nice smooth action with 3 position tang safety, excellent trigger, shoots better than I do and pretty much no plastic on it at all.