Savage like any other company has sales reps that answer many of the phone calls that have your types of questions. Often times these reps just have a catalog and a computer in front of them and know no more about rifle accuracy than my mother-in-law.
As a general rule, heavier barrels are more rigid and will handle heat better due to their girth and thus retain their accuracy longer than a skinnier barrel once they start warming up. Savage's barrels are all made the same way at the same place they just differ in length, contour, and material/finish. I heavy barrel is just as likely to have rifling defects as a sporter barrel.
Often times sales reps will say heavy barreled models are better, and this is partly true. The heavier barreled models often are offered with better stocks and triggers, and as I said above will handle heat better. The other reason they often push the Heavy barreled models is most of them are more expensive than their skinnier barreled counterparts.
These are just my observations and experiences.
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