You don't see the Marines or special forces adapting the Savage action and you don't see many custom smiths making guns out of them either for that matter.
A custom gunsmith would be a fool to promote the savage system. The system eliminates lots of gravy work. Take a look at this article by Jerry Teo it pretty much sums it up.
"The Economical Custom long range 1000yds and Under Hunting rifle: How to Build a Tack Driver for under $1000. To ensure that I would be getting everything I wanted the first go round, I have focused on an action that will give you the performance with very low costs. In fact, the total of this semi custom build can be less then some factory rifles once you account for the tweaking costs.
For me, the most 'usable' and economical commercial action is the Savage/Stevens (sporterized surplus actions actually cost more in the long run). I have built all of my recent long range and competition rifles from these actions. They provide a superb lock-up to handle those toasty loads, a strong action, a fixed or detachable magazine that will feed improved shoulder wildcats, an awesome factory trigger (Accutrigger) or many after-market options (SSS, Rifle-Basix, Timney), ability to do home smithing if desired all for dirt cheap pricing.
All of my rifles were built using out of the box actions. No blueprinting was done nor required (savings of at least $200 compared to a Remington). With that floating bolt head, many woes that plague every other solid bolt action are eliminated. The first way to a dirt cheap semi-custom is to get a Savage w/Accutrigger in the action length and bolt face you want (HB 110FV come in 7RM and 300WM and make great rifles). If the factory barrel doesn't shoot as desired, sell it and spin on a quality pre-threaded/pre-chambered barrel in a cartridge of your choice.
Barrels from Pac Nor, Shillen, Lothar or Walther will give you the performance you want and are very well priced. Most are around $200 to $350 which is a steal considering you don't have the install costs. If desired, most any gunsmith will headspace that barrel for you for a few bucks. You can also buy a barrel blank and have it installed. It will end up costing a few dollars more but you have the option of wildcats and headspacing off the barrel shoulder.""
The Savage system is a gunsmiths worst nightmare. Great trigger, no more trueing, blueprinting etc.
Just buy a Shilen Select match grade barrel $270.00 screw it on and headspace. Down the road. I would also concede a new stock would be in order.
With regard to the military use of firearms I would not point to the federal goverment as an example of "buying value" and in particular the military has an even worst track record. Last point is reliability there are claims of reliability problems with Savages I would like to hear what failures these rifles are prone to have. I must be so lucky with thousands of rounds through my rifles with no failures.