Making your own will always be cheaper. Setting aside the cost of reloading equipment. If you load for multiple calibers/want the best accuracy you can achieve/plan to shoot the rifle a good amount or just love shooting and reloading/working on rifles as a hobby then reloading is the way to go. I reload for my 260 Rem, similar to creed using same brands of components (Lapua/Sierra/Hornady/CCI/H4350 powder) and last I checked I was around $10 for a box of 20. Obviously using the brass multiple times.

I use a cheek pack on my aluminum cheek rests

I’d almost have to feel the bolt to give an opinion on that. Savage actions can be less smooth then others. If it’s hard to close on loaded rounds then it could be a variety of things. Tight chamber which savage has been known to have, up to incorrect headspace or bullets contacting lands