I got a LH 700 youth 7/08 in on a trade and really like it. With a slip on Pachmayr recoil pad the lop is 13.5 in. and with the 20 in. barrel it handles very well. Haven't tried the Savage but it feels way better than the Ruger to me. I smoothed up the action with a fine stone and now it is as slick as my 700's from the 70's. It shoots 120 gr. NBT'S under an inch.