Yobuck, I did not know Savage ever contributed in that way. I apologise for my lack of knowledge on that matter. As for the Savage/Mossberg action....Well, yes its strong. rough as a cobb but strong. To me its like buying a Chevy for your mode of transportation,( I love Chevy's) and then having to admit its actually a Chevy Geo because it was the cheapest reliable form of transportation to get untill you can afford something better. Ya it works. Times are tight, and Savage has a large following. Most of wich from what Ive seen buy the gun, throw away everything but the action and build a cheap as possible ''custom rig''. As for tradition, where was Savage when the top pics for custom builds were THE OLD(as you stated) Win model-70, Rem 700, and 98 Mauser. Now that you can ''can'' the bbl and ''switch'' on a whim on a cheap, but strong action, folks like em. Im not a ''walmart'' kinda guy. I get the best I can afford, and Savage is just not my opinion of the best I can afford. They have come up in the world, but to me they'll still always be a Savage.
The Britts lost the war of our Independance because of being streached way too thin to cover thier investments, and having to fight on too many fronts in too many parts of the world. And in part thanks to the French who only helped us because they werent ''big fans'' of the Britts. Combine that with the grace of God, and great men with unimaginable intestinal fortitude, fighting for thier freedom, and willing to adapt tactics taught to us by the Indians and America was born. If youd like you can find cuontless referances of militia and minute men picking up brown bess muskets. German Jegers with rifled bbls were way more accurate, and used for picking off the ''leaders'', but were so uncommon durring that war they had very little influence compared to hit and run Indian tactics, and keeping the enemy off balance. When confronted by an overwhelming force, offensive gurrila warfare has ''traditionaly'' been the best defense all over the world. The Brits had no counter for that kind of fight. So your ''tradition be damned'' has some merrit, however Overwhelming force with a well regulated army would've prevailed eventually, had they stuck to it. But as stated before they were spread too thin. I for one am very glad our forefathers had the gutts to do what they did, (and had ''traditionaly'' been done by people for centuries in every corner of the globe) and that the Britts pulled out of the fight.
That scares the hell out of me especially in todays world, and America being held to a higher standard than the rest of the world. Thank God for our special forces doing what needs to be done covertly.
Opinions vary. If you like Savage more power to ya. I like Winchester. So we dissagree...........oh well. As long as your happy with yours for your reasons, and Im happy with mine for my reasons, and in the end we are both in search of bettering ourselves as shooters, then we have that in common.
Opinions are the hardest things to change in a person. Im not trying to change yours. You called me on Savage helping defend our freedoms. I apologised and will take your word for thier service to our country. But I think your comparison of Savage compared to Winchester has too many holes to hold water.
My vote has been cast for aiding you in your choice Scottsgun. Im sorry for temporararily interupting your thread. Good luck in your choice, and I hope you have great results and success with your pick of either rifle.
