Like I said, the advantages are mostly economic and housekeeping. The max loads with smokeless don't exceed the velocity from 150gr charges of powders like T7 by enough of a margin to be meaningful. But smokeless is MUCH cheaper to shoot, not only because it's generally less/lb but also because you use so much less per shot. I can get the same velocity with 45gr of N-110 as 150gr of T7.

Secondly, cleanup is MUCH easier. I only take out my breechplug out for cleaning every 50-100 shots. After I get it sighted in for the season, I don't clean the bore at all until the season is over. I also never swab the bore between shots. I've shot as many as 50 shots in one range session without swabbing, and the last shot loads ar easily as the first.

But in terms of advantage in the field, followup shots are no faster. Most people can shoot 2-3 shots with non-smokeless powder before swabbing is necessary, so swabbing before loading a followup shot isn't strictly necessary, and since smokeless powder loads the same as non-smokeless, the follow-up capability is identical. In fact, those who shoot pelletized powder have an advantage over all others because pellets are faster handling (does that mean we should ban pellets?). The Savage only gains an advantage if one needs to load and shoot more than 2 shots in rapid succession because of lack of fouling, but how often does one get a third shot at deer. By the time a third shot is loaded the deer you missed with the first two will be in the next zip code. That just muzzleloading. If one needs more than 1-2 shots, I'd suggest they sell their ML and get a BAR. Or they could just learn to shoot!

Some anti-smokeless folks claim that the Savage is too "flat-shooting". The truth is that, while the Savage can get a 300gr bullet going about 2300fps, the trajectory at all practical ranges is so close to a non-smokeless load of 150gr of T7 with the same bullet (about 2200fps) as to be inconsequential. I suppose that the only true advantage is that many Savage shooters are more willing to shoot full throttle loads because the reduced ejecta (due to less powder mass) significantly reduced recoil compared to "magnum" T7 loads. I know I don't like getting the snot kicked out of me with big T7 loads, but full house N-110 loads are noticably softer shooting, relativily speaking (it'll still get your attention).

If you decide to get the Savage, I don't think you'll be disappointed. I'd recommend the laminate stock version. The plastic composite stocks are functional (and cheaper), but looks kindof crappy. The laminate wood is attractive and tough. I think that Savage introduced a laminate thumbhold stock recently, which is nice if you like a thumbhole stock (I do). Mine is a conventional stock design.

Mike