If you could stand the ugly and the rougher fit and finish, the Savage was probably the best buy in accuracy out there, but their price is going up. Nowadays, for the about the same price, or just a few dollars more, you can get the Tikka, and the fit and finish is a LOT better than the Savage, and accuracy just as good. That Savage Accu-Trigger is sure slicker than snot on a glass doorknob, but I'd still rather have the Tikka.
I've got a Ruger #1A in .243, and out of the box it shot nice 18 to 24 inch patterns with lots of different ammo. :x :shock: Then I cut a piece of .030" brass shim stock and put it between the forearm hanger and the forearm and the groups dropped to 3/4" to 7/8" with several different factory loads and handloads. :grin: