Savage has both 2 position and 3 position safety's. Sounds like yours is a 3 position that just needs adjusted.

1-safety off(rifle goes bang when trigger is pulled, as it should)
2- safety mid-point(you can lift bolt and load/eject rounds, but cant trip the trigger)
3-safety all the way to the rear-(bolt and trigger are locked)

Here is a detailed set of directions for adjusting the trigger:

http://savageshooters.com/SavageForu...c,19414.0.html

after adjusting be sure to put on a dab of medium strength locktite(or fingernail polish) on the screws to keep them from backing out. If not sometimes the screws can turn due to recoil and the trigger we come out of adjustment, which is very possible what has happened to yours.