i have 2 Savages and 1 Stevens (Savage 'value' model), all 3 shoot very well. The 12 VLP is a 22-250 that lays 60gr hp's right on top of each other with 34.1 of RL15. The Stevens is also a 22-250 that will shoot the 60gr hp's with 34.5 of RL15 in half dollar sized groups. The last Savage is a good ole 270 that shoots silver dollar sized groups with factory ammo.
Guess what brand I vote for.
I think you need to have different price ranges.
For the lower priced guns, IMO, you could not touch a Savage.
I am sure some of the higher priced choices shoot as good or better. Some say the Savage is ugly, funny, I never noticed that while I was looking at my tiny groups. But no one would argue that they are the most pleasing to the eye, but I bought my guns to shoot and hunt with, they stay in a dark gun safe that is in a dark closet when not being used.
I have other brands, but they don't shoot as good as the Savages. If you want a gun that everyone at the range wants to hold and talk about how purdy they are, Savage is not for you. If you want a gun that shoots good, and is a value on top of that, get a Savage.