I've been a Savage proponent here, and since before The 'Hide became a reality. Everything said above agrees with my own experience. I remain a Savage proponent.
I like them because they offer good performance at an industry standard pricing. The icing on my cake is that with the purchase of a barrel wrench and barrel vise, the Savage rifles can be upgraded with replacement barrels, with the only concern being about cartridge base diameters. Conveniently, the bolt heads are also interchangeable, so it's probably quite hard to find a cartridge the Savage won't handle so long as one sticks with accepted short and long action chamberings.
The trigger is adjustable. Some folks just plain don't like it, and some have found actual issues with how they work., The first is a preference, and the other is something that falls under warrantee. The trigger works for me, and so does the rest of the rifle.
The rifles have problems when subjected to more rigorous usage. LL has reported seeing frequent failures on the line during his training classes. I believe whatever he says, even if it's inconvenient for my own outlooks.
I have had one failure with a Savage, in 2002, during a National Competition.
Believe it or not, I came to the comp with concerns and therefore brought a spare bolt. Our Team Snipers' Hide brought our own gunsmith/armorer, and when the cartridges blew primers in the high heat, it took out the extractors. I would hand the bolt back over my shoulder to be repaired and the other would slap into my hand. Those extractors were getting replaced in a period of a minute or three. This happened several times. I got off all my rounds regardless.
The cause was undeniably a result of ammunition that was loaded too hot, and I don't consider it to be 'a Savage failure.' Aside from this, my Savages have run trouble free, some for going on three decades, including the one from that match.
My approach to guns in general is to run them like you plan to use them a lot and keep them forever. That's just what I do, and I like mine as much as ever.
At my age, competition is either local or not at all. The Savages remain goto rifles of mine
Right now I'm on an AR kick, and that's what's drawing much of my attention. Still; I won't be getting rid of my Savages until just after Hell freezes over.
Greg