I was upstate with a friend of mine two weekends ago and in an uncharacteristic move, bought the Marlin 917V after my buddy's gun guy talked it up so much. (I usually do a ton of research before my firearms purchases...)

I am NOT dissapointed. The Marlin is beautiful to look at, has a quality fit and finish, is very reliable and from the the few round I've fired so far - it's a shooter. I too like the Monte Carlo stock.

In terms of a scope, I bought the BSA Sweet .17 - literally made for the HMR. It was a little more money, but I love the idea of literally just dialing-in your range and holding dead-center on the cross-hairs.

However, in all fairness to Savage, I have a 12BVSS in .22-250 that I absolutely love.

Both are made in the USA, and from my experience with the two vendores, both will be extemely reliable, are very well made and will be excellent shooters. Pick whichever one you like better. You won't be disspointed be either.