They are both good rifles. They are essentially the same, one has a larger magazine. They are very inexpensive and nothing about either of them keeps a person from upgrading various parts as they see fit down the road. Also, Savage does not make certain Model 10 (or 11 or 12 or 16) of higher quality parts or materials than other model 10's. Like wise, all of their barrels are the same quality, etc. If there are any "hidden differences in quality" between Savage products of similar design, it is in their magazine systems. Basically, the "Axis style" detachable magazine and the more traditional "non Axis detachable magazine style" are decidedly different. Even then, the two are clearly different and easily recognized when personally inspecting them.