Cheese,
I just finished my first season(s) with the Savage. This year I bought a new MLII with stainless/laminated, and mounted a new Nikon Monarch 4X40 on it. I have used the "recommended" load - 45 gr. 5744 under a black MMP sabot with a 250 gr. XTP @ 2300 fps. Costs me about $.46/shot total. 1.5" groups @ 100. Double lung pass- throughs on 3 deer, they bleed like a tapper on a fresh keg and down in 20 yards or less. Haven't cleaned it yet, haven't swabbed between shots, haven't had even the hint of a problem. It's a pretty hefty rifle, not the handiest in a tree stand but I am more than pleased. I really like shooting this gun! I have a lot of .429 cast bullets of different profiles and weights leftover from my handgun reloading days I will be trying with other sabots, etc. too. I do like this Savage! That Nikon Monarch is also as bright and clear a scope as any I have used. Two of my deer were at the first and last legal minutes, which is pretty dark. The Monarch brightened things up like it was a half hour earlier or later. I could see every detail beautifully - surprised by the excellence in low light. I have some pretty nice scopes, but I am really impressed with this one.
I agree that an Encore with a smokeless barrel would be a nice rig. I am surprised it hasn't been done, at least by an aftermarket barrel maker. I think someone does them for the NEF types, Encores would be a natural for this.
Like Redhawk, I'm glad I got the Savage.