I have to respectfully disagree. Though I've purchased several SPS' over the last couple of years, I think that gun for gun the Savage is better.

I'm a Rem. fan and have been for years, but the savage out of the box is a better shooter.

I and a few friends purchase the SPS' for the actions to build custom rifles on. I'vehad several of the SPS that the Scope mount holes were stripped on. While removing the little filler screws they put in them I've broke several and the threads are generally trashed on at least one of the holes. Its a real bear to retap. I've had to drill out some at tap larger. We've even went as far as to talk to Rem. Reps first hand at a trade show. They basically called us liars, and said that they doubted that we had that many; we must be doing something wrong. So Now if I purchase a NewRem before I fill out the FFL paperwork, I tell the salesperson to remove the little screws plugging the Mount holes. They look at me weird, until they have one strip out. We actually had two strip at the counter, and we tell the salesperson to find another gun.