I am a voracious reader of gun and hunting mags. I love product reviews and field tests. For the life of me, I can't ever remember a bad review of any Savage rifle. From the .22's to the centerfires, every review reported at least good performance and usually excellent performance. There were the usual grumblings about that knurled thing holding the barrel to the action. And I agree that the synthetic stock looks like something Matell made. BUt you can get on with a wood stock if you so desire, and thier laminated stock is nice.
Bottom line is they shoot. And they are cheap. No one said they are svelt or elegant.
okcmco