My dad loves his Tikka and I love my Savage. Most Savages are ugly to many gun enthusiasts.[X(] When I learned why the action is ugly, I fell in love. Also, the Savage will shoot more accurate than most other guns which sell from the Savage price to double. For example, my Savage shot it's first groups in 300WSM with 30-30 bullets. Those groups were .60" at 100 yards. I can't wait to run real bullets through it. Savage pillar beds them, button rifles their barrels and gives you a good(accutrigger) trigger. I can't argue with that, but I will be finishing the bedding myself. Nobody esle is throwing these features in at this price.

My dad's Tikka, shoots under an inch with most bullets he has tried at 100. It has a detachable mag and I think it came with rings. My dad threw a cheap Leupoldd on, but I think I would look at a Zeiss, if I were you.

Both are good guns for the money. Just figure out what you want. The Savage may have a slight lead with smiths and tuners. I think the Tikka is more preferred by hunters.