All I can say is don't give up on the PPC, It is ONE AWESOME ROUND! The PPC is most definitely not a wast on a Savage, you are talking to ignorant gunsmiths that are Remington based. Ask them is a 6PPC is a wast on a Remington, and then ask them why is it a wast on a Savage. Give SSS a call they may have PPC bolt heads in stock, and could ship out very fast.

The 6BR is a good round out at 600, depending on what twist rate you go the PPC can go that far too. Most people that shoot the PPC shoot a 1 in 14 twist, you could go with a fast twist. I talked to Joe Krupa once on the phone and he told me he uses a fast twist 6PPC on light African game. I guess you have to decide on what you plan on shooting more of, short range (100-300 yards) the 6PPC is king, the BR just doesn't preform like it. At mid range (600 yards) the BR would be the cartridge I would pick. With that said a 6PPC should have a 1 in 13 or 14 twist, and a 6BR should have a 1 in 8.