Hey TNRed where are you? (Jackson, TN here) Dont let the naysayers boosheut you, the Savages are FINE guns. Sure they had their rough years, they arent the ONLY gunmaker to do so! My brother has 3 stores in Memphis and Jackson and since he opend the first one in 1985 we have seen a HUGE turn around in SAVAGE.
A good freind of mine who I got hooked on deer hunting just 2 years bought a 308 Patriot (SA Lazzeroni) Savage before last season. He listened to me and put a QUALITY scope on it (3x12x56 Kahles) and the first deer he wacked with it was over 300 yds (laser ranged). I finished sighting the gun in for him before a hunt in Missouri, it kicks like a MULE (MUCH harder than my Sako/Lazzeroni Warbird, but I have a KDF brake and the Savage is so much lighter).
That gun feels SWEET and carries awesome especially for a cannon like Patriot. If I hadnt already gotten my Sako back in 99 (was a first run) that Savage WOULD be in my safe now!
Are they $4k rifles? No, but they will do anything with guns up to twice their price range. With modern mfgring techniques, quality factory ammo and superior optics, the case for spending thou$and$ on a deer rig gets smaller each year. Under $500 rifles ARE a great decision now days, dont let some armchair gunsmith/ballastician tell you otherwise. Do the wise thing and spend your money on the quality optics. The VariXII 3x9x40 (or 50!) will be a GREAT tube for the Savage and will do you for anything on this continent under 400yds. The gun/scope WONT be the weaklink, it will be the shooters bullet choice and abilities!!!

Good luck and, " Drop em where they stand" [:-]
RA