I have an opportunity to pick up a Savage with a 26" barrel and the new trigger system but I am not sure on the Savage or the caliber to pick. Also I know they have them in left handed models.
I have always been a Remington man and just wondering if anyone out there has done any research on the new savages.
Also I was wondering which caliber either the 22-250 or the 204.
I reload so the amunition should not be the problem.

I am thanking you guys in advance.

If you like the Savage, try one. They are as good as any other rifle. I've looked them over, shot several at the range, but I never developed a desire for one. I guess if one ever out-shoots my Remington, I'll have to rethink them.

Many like the accu-trigger, I don't, it has alien feel that I just don't care for. The biggest plus for Savage, they seem to have built a quality rifle while keeping the cost down. The accuracy is equal to most factory rifles, some say they are the "most" accurate. Maybe it's the "most accurate" rifle they have owned or shot. For myself, Sako would get the honor but you have to admit, a Sako requires a much deeper dip into the piggy bank.

Savage has a left port, right bolt, single shot out. I have not seen one first hand but rumor is they are not shooting as well as many had hoped especially since Savage has upped the anti to a $900 entry fee.http://www.savagearms.com/12PrecVarm.htm

If there is a bottom line, it's always about what tickles your fancy. Most rifles regardless of brand will need a bit of tweaking to get maximum accuracy so the only first priority is to get the one you like.

As to caliber pick, I'd try the 204 but that's mostly because I've never owned one.

I recently did quite a bit of research on a new "value" rifle and the Savage was at the top of my list for most of that time.

That changed, however, when I was handling one in a local store when another patron, happening to notice, walked up to me and said, "Nice rifle. Very accurate. But, try this."

He tossed me a fairly heavy hunting glove, one very similar to what I would wear during our deer and elk hunting seasons...when it can get downright cold. He said, "Try that trigger now."

I put the glove on, and for the life of me I couldn't tell if I was touching the little flap on the AccuTrigger or the trigger itself.

I guess a guy could get used to it...or wear mittens or gloves that let your trigger finger come out when necessary...but it was so unnerving I didn't buy a Savage.

Everything else indicates they are a great rifle for the money...just didn't work for this Northern boy... :)

I'm a Remington type of fella, but there's nothing wrong with the new Savages. seattlesetters has a point about the trigger. It's a very good trigger, but really needs the touch of a bare finger to work well. My hunting partner uses a pair of mittons that have a place he can stick his trigger finger out of to shoot with.

As far at caliber I've spent lots of years with both the 22-250 and now a new 204 Ruger. I've got to say that I like the fact that the 204 will shoot just as flat as the 22-250 but with no recoil. You can watch you bullets hit your target and you can't do that with the 22-250.

My 204 Ruger is in a CZ 527 Varmit and cost is comparable to the Savage. Accuracy is excellent and the little gun feels good to me anyway. It also has a single set trigger so you have a standard trigger adustable in pounds and by pushing the trigger forward a set trigger adjustable in ounces. You might look at them along with the Savage.

Here is my 527 and a couple of five shot groups. These are the first reloads I ran thru it and I am really happy. These loads are using Alliant 10X powder and both loads were taken off the Ruger forum.

I think the Savage is the most accurate factory rifle. I have two custom 700 rifles, but if I were to buy one that I wanted to be accurate with little or no mods, it would be the Savage. I am assuming since you are choosing between the 22-250 and .204 that you won't be wearing gloves with this rifle. In my opinion, nothing beats the 22-250 for flat shooting and long range varmint hunting. Accuracy with the 22-250 is also hard to beat. With the Savage in a 22-250 you should not have much trouble shooting ragged hole groups once your load is developed. Most I have seen like 35.5 grains of IMR 4064 pushing a Sierra 55 grain spitzer. Used this load on a friends Savage and just set the bullet just off the lands, loaded 5 rounds and shot a ragged hole from the start. Just had to sight in a load up his box of brass.

I don't like the looks, the feel, or the new triggers on the Savage. Now, that is not to say they are not a good rifle. They are just not my choice. I have a friend that swears by them. I really don't like the Accutrigger and a man whose opinion I value a lot said they are not very durable. If was in the market for a new rifle right now it would be a Remington or a Browning. I wasn't trying to step on anyone's toes that may like the Savage. That is just my opinion.

One thing for certian is the new Accu-trigger is either loved or not liked at all. Does not seem to be a bunch of in-betweens.

Folks that have done some target shooting with really light well made triggers don't seem to cotton to the new Savage trigger much. My hunting partner has a new 7mm Rem mag with the Accu-trigger and he likes it well.

As far as durability from what I've seen in taking his gun down it looks as durable as anything Savage has built and their guns are pretty durable.

As I've said before I'm a remington fan and like the trigger they put on their rifles. Adjusted properly they can be a fine trigger. If you've never used a set trigger you'd be surprised how nice one of those can be. Nothing like a trigger that breaks in the few ounce range to make shooting from a rest a real treat.

Important thing about a trigger is a clean break and no creep or overtravel. Hunting rifles for big game really don't need super light triggers adjusted much less than three pounds. Even a five pound trigger can be a joy to shoot given no creep and overtravel and triggers much below three pounds can offer a real safety hazzard.

Varmit rifles unless using a set trigger need triggers breaking in the 1.5 to 2.5 pound range. To get these kind of settings that are consistant you usually have to go to an aftermarket trigger designed for those weights.

I think pretty much all of the comments so far have been regarding the accutrigger, so it comes down to wether you like the accutrigger. I don't have a savage with one on, but I wouldn't be afraid to buy one. The savages may not be the prettiest rifles, but they all seem to be shooters, I can't think of any reports of people getting dogs from the factory. The savages are also easily rebarreled, which I see as a nice plus

JB brings out one excellent point about rebarreling. For the price of a new barrel and a few inexpensive tools any Savage owner can make his gun a switchbarrel rifle. It takes about 15 minutes to change barrels from one caliber to another.