My 8 year old just passed hunters safety(48 out of 50 on the test, YUP BRAGGING), we spent a lot of time on guns, and guess what is in the study manual, NEVER USE SMOKELESS POWDER IN A MUZZLOADER. "Stupid is as stupid does".
I owned a savage 99c .308, kicked like a freaking mule, not super accurate. sloppy action, poor finish. I loved that gun, it was my first deer gun.
I now own a .17hmr savage, stainless, bull barrel, thumbhole stock, absolutely beautiful gun. Tack driver.
Point is, savage guns were garbage back in the day, but because they were cheap a lot of us started with them so we have fond memories. The new ones are super accurate, and are much better built but they have critics.
I just picked up a little 20 gauge rem 870. Out of the box the choke tube was cross threaded, the bead broke of after 1 shot.
Times have changed. Savage has greatly improved their products, Remington is becoming garbage.
I wouldn't buy a savage in 300rum or 7mmultra mag. Not because they are a Savage, but becaue I don't generally need to stop tanks, or take down aircraft. Plus I don't have a 8 inch lift on my crew cab powerstroke, or am I dressed head to toe with sitka, and I don't have a yeti full of micro brew, so I am not allowed to buy one. Simple fact is that if you "need" them "awesome magnums" you not buying a working mans gun(savage, ruger) they are too pedestrian, and Savage doesn't have a cool logo. Savage and ruger seem to know who there customers are.
"The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun"