Rifles are like ladies and their hair color, there is no "best" only "what you like". I have an Omega and I have a Savage, both are accurateexcellent guns. I would not buy an Omega today I would buy the TC Triumph, with weather shield, very easy to clean and from what I read with Blackhorn 209 very accurate. That said in a head to head comparison of the Savage to the TC Encore Pro Hunter, Savage wins:



Now as for Savage accuracy, you can't beat it, guaranteed 1.5" at 100 yards with loads published in the owners manual. So which is "best", I believe for a new ML shooter it is better to stay with a Triumph, because there are more ML folks out there that have those guns and can help if you run into issues. However you did say you had a ML, and you wanted something that would last a long time. Well the Savage is your gun then because I don't think you can shoot the barrels out and there is very little maintenance on them. In fact I have shot mine maybe 300 times and I have only cleaned it twice, they are more accurate dirty than with a clean barrel. Oh with my Omega I have to swab between shots, I suspect the Triumph will be like that too with 777, but not with Blackhorn 209. You should read the gun reviews here:

http://www.chuckhawks.com/index2h.muzzleloader.htm

and also visit a store that sells them all and handle them (Gander Mountain does).

As for not knowing anything about Smokeless, to get started read Randy Wakeman's content, things like this article: http://www.randywakeman.com/ballltd121.htm

Join Doug's Savage Forum and lurk-out: http://dougva.proboards34.com/index.cgi?board=Savage

A lot of great guys on that forum that only shoot Savage, but watch out and don't get into hot rodding the Savage till you can shoot it well with "book loads", abook load is:
300g XTP
44g of Accurate Arms 5744
Federal Primer
MMP Short Black Sabot

Now if you don't want to shoot a 300g XTP, there are lots of other loads and bullets out there that folks have tried---I have tried a lot with 5744 and IMR 4198. Some folks are shooting the Savage at 2500 and 2700 fps with 250g and 300g bullets and shooting 300 yards with accuracy. That is NOT the norm, but some do and are accurate. I would say if your into hand loading, into accuracy, then get a Savage.
Best Wishes on your rifle selection.
Chap