This is why I hunt with a Savage. If I scratch it or whatever it is not a major problem. On top of that I can buy 2 dozens Savage for the price of Stutzen.
I'd rather have one really fine gun then 2 dozen Savages, not that i have anything against Savage... I just happen to have figured out that the "finer guns" give me much more pleasure than owning a dozen "average" guns...
I do all of my hunting with my "fine" gun, and i've been on hunts out in the bush liveing in a small tent for weeks at a time. I'vealso floated rivers above the artic circle, stoping to hunt and camp in the brush along it's banks... My gun didn't get any spl. treatment i wouldn't have given a Savage if i had been carrying one...
Ever have your Savage out in driveing rain/snow weather for a week or more at a time on the Alaska Peninsula? Living in a small tent without heat or any fire because of the weather. I'll bet you your Savage will rust up a lot faster and need more maintance then my "rust blued" Krieghoff will... I know this because i've been there and done that numerous times with friends along with "average" guns, whoi watched fightthe rust every day.
DM