Quote Originally Posted by J.Baker View Post
100% agree with what Dave said.

Literally tens [if not hundreds] of thousands of Savage owners have voiced their complaints about Savage's rough, sloppy, and/or stiff bolt operation on this very site over the past 20+ years, and I'm sure Savage has received a similar number of complaints from owners via email, social media, etc. over those years as well. Yet even with all that feedback from their customers, Savage continues to ignore the issue and I think that's a big part of why each year we see more and more [former] Savage loyalists transitioning to something other than a Savage - be it a Bergara, a Howa, a Tikka, a custom action, or whatever.

The days of Savage being able to rely on their reputation of "out of the box accuracy" to generate sales has past as most every brand of bolt-action rifle made today is capable of delivering sub-MOA accuracy when fed quality ammo. The other brands have upped their games and eliminated (and in some cases surpassed) the accuracy and quality gap between themselves and Savage.

Savage also can't claim "more bang for your buck" anymore either as over the last decade or so they have raised their prices year-over-year to the point that in many cases they're more expensive than similar models from their competition. For example, a Tikka used to be several hundred dollars more expensive than a comparable Savage, but today the price gap is minimal so spending that little bit more to get a smoother functioning action that's just as accurate isn't that big of a leap for most buyers.

Here are some examples from doing a quick search on GunBroker - all base synthetic stocked hunting rifle models with blued or matte black finish.

Tikka T3x Lite 6.5 CM = $750-800
Savage 110 Hunter 6.5 CM = $650-700
Bergara Ridge 6.5 CM = $775-825
CZ 600 Alpha 6.5 CM = $550-600
Howa M1500 Hogue 6.5 CM = $525-560

I also think some of Savage's competitors have done a much better job integrating aftermarket upgrades (stocks, triggers, barrels, etc) when it comes to their more specialized higher end models which makes them much more attractive to potential buyers. Savage appears to have a pretty wide selection of offerings, but as you look closer you'll notice it's not as diverse as it first appears. Savage (IMO) relies too heavily on Boyds laminate stocks and MDT's aluminum chassis' for their upper tier rifles. Why no McMillan or Manners stocks? Why no carbon fiber stocks? Other brands are utilizing them, so why not Savage? Savage used to offer factory rifles fitted with both McMillan and HS Precision stocks, but now they insist on putting everything in a Boyds laminate or MDT aluminum chassis. News flash: Not everyone likes or wants an aluminum chassis or a heavy laminate stock.

Howa has gained a huge following in the hunting rifle market with their wide selection of M1500 models featuring quality stocks from known makers (Hogue, HS Precision, etc) as well as carbon fiber stocks that make for a truly light-weight hunting rifle. The Savage 110 Lightweight Hunter and Lightweight Storm models just don't compare in terms of feel or weight.

CZ and Bergara have both gained a lot of ground in the rimfire market the past few years with their rifles geared specifically towards NRL22 and PRS-style rimfire competition. CZ's 457 Varmint Precision Trainer comes fitted with a Manner's composite stock while the Bergara B-14 HMR Trainer is fitted with a fully adjustable tactical style stock of their own design that's more than adequate for the aforementioned games. What's Savage's answer? They dropped a A-Series or B-Series barreled action into an ugly MDT Chassis, dubbed it "Precision" and called it a day.

Don't get me wrong, I still love my Savage's, but I haven't been real impressed with anything Savage has done in the last 10-11 years or so - basically since Ron Coburn retired and sold it to ATK/Vista. Savage used to be a leader in innovation (AccuTrigger, AccuStock, first to chamber factory rifles in 6mm BR Norma and 6.5-284 Norma, etc.), now they have become more of a "Me too" company as they keep copying what everyone else is doing in already over saturated markets (i.e. MSR's, poly framed pistols, and now 1911's). The only bright sport in the last 10 years in my eyes has been the advent of the AccuFit system.

Ok, I got off on a little rant there. I'll get off my soap box now.
Boy, do I wish I could disagree with what`s said here. Just can`t do it. One can only conclude that Savage and/or ATK/Vista is totally tone deaf to its customers and the public. Or, if they do hear, just don`t give a damn. A company, any company, does that at its peril.