Biggest secrent is 1st shoot the book loads, with the book sabots, and book bullets and a W209a primer. Get that shooting <= 1.5", mine did no problem. Don't use Kleenbore primers, not hot enough for Smokeless. Also SABOTS MUST be extremently tight, not loose, thesabots that come with the PBE are way too loose in a Savage, use MMP12s they fit just right. Be prepared for little gotcha's like the barrel cooling problem of waiting 15 minutes. I shot mineearly in the AM and only shot 10 or 15 shots at a time. I did notwait the 15 minutes between each shot thataccuracy folks recommend, but I got excellent accuracy for me and my capabilities.Be prepared for MISFIRES of the primer going off shooting the bullet and powder out. Have>>ALL<< your tools to take the Breech plug out. MUST have a witness mark since you won't know sometimes if thebullet was shot out of the gun on a Misfire and you do NOT want to double load. 1st shot of the season for mewas a misfire---didn't compress the sabot onto the load---another biggie. You have to LEAN your entire weight into the ram rod to seat the bullet and sabot on the charge.....the is the biggestboogie man for misfires.That has been my experience, I am no expert on the Savage, just read a lot and the guys on the Savage board really really helped me. I would go to the Savage shoot in April in Indiana, since it would not be far from you.
You will get expert help there big time.
Chap