JsmesB67,

Did you order it "sight unseen", or had you handled one at the local gun dealer's or something.
They're a nice gun and I've seen them and handled them. A gun dealer buddy of mine uses them exclusively.
I opted out for the TC Omega as I really don't care much for using smokeless in a muzzleloader. Kind of a take it or leave attitude I guess. I use smokeless 90% of the time in reloading and I'm not really sold on the idea in muzzleloaders much. Black powder, or it's substitutes, are pretty predictable. Smokeless powders, in conditions other than their intended applications, aren't always.
W296, for instance, unless loaded to it's max., can be dangerous regarding reduced loads. The company recommends nothing less than maximum loads.

I'm sure Savage, in this sue crazy world, did their homework when they designed the gun, but one of the posts on this site showed a Savage that had blown up using a "recommended charge" of smokeless.

I'm sure you're a safe loader & shooter, but that post kind of raised the hair on my neck a little.

I don't own one and don't know for sure, but I'd rather err on the side of skepticizm with smokeless.

Take care,
Bob