Also check out the Weatherby Vanguard S2 Synthetic, which I bought in 30-06. I was also looking at the Ruger American at the time, and while it seemed significantly more solid and higher quality than the junky feeling Savage Axis, the Vanguard felt like another step up again.
But the Vanguard does cost more. I caught a clearance sale, but they're $700-ish now, while Cabela's has the Ruger packaged with a Vortex scope for $750. That's probably the best budget rifle deal going, considering the Savage Axis II is only $150 less with a garbage scope.
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