How about woodchuck-of-angle accuracy? There is a thread on the hide with some well documented woodchuck/groundhog kills of mine all within the head/neck out to 480 yards (
http://www.snipershide.com/shooting/snipers-hide-hunting-fishing/194199-strictly-chuckin.html). Out of 20 critters/shots fired, 17 have been in the head/neck, 1 in the lower chest and 2 got away. That's a hell of a record for field conditions and most of that credit is to my rigs. I frequently shoot in long range precision matches too (out to 1300 yards), as my skills have been honed, I have been able to test the capability of my rigs.
All of my precision rigs are M700s or a M700 clone (GAP Templar V2 / Defiance Deviant based), all capable of .5MOA or better, my GAP consistently posts groups in the .2s and proof of this can be found in the 6.5CM load data thread.
A lot of us like the M700s because we have used them for years, they feel natural to us, they have a very good reputation, all gunsmiths will work on them, they've been essentially unchanged for decades and thus proven themselves.
The M700s are more difficult to work on for the common garage builder, they require more than just a vice, wrench, go/no go gauges, and a set of punches compared to a Savage. There is no tighten the barrel nut option when it spaces correctly, and for this reason the majority of us use well-known smiths. I can't say enough good things about the folks at both GA Precision and Short Action Customs, I've personally exchanged emails or been on the phone with both George and Mark, their customer service and work is spectacular.
A lot of us don't particularly care about the ergonomics of the Savage actions, I can't stand the safety location, and I can't stand their factory magazines (granted I use all AICS mags in my M700 rigs, this may not be fair to compare), I'm not a fan of the split accu-trigger (granted I use aftermarket in my M700s again), it bothers me with all the moving or non-stationary parts inside the bolt head mechanism (just seems more complex). I've had issue with certain bullets on the feed ramps of my 204 Ruger model 10 predator but the gun shoots under .5moa again. I have an Savage Axis 243 that will shoot lights out as well.
I guess what I am trying to say is that both styles are very good, or can be built to be excellent shooters. If you are just wanting a little spicy in your life, switch it up and give it a go, you can't go wrong either way.
BUT if you are like me, you might find it annoying to have multiple ergonomic platforms. I like each rifle that I pick up to feel natural to me. I like the safeties to be in the same position, I like the bolt operation to feel the same etc. I like the fact that I have spare stocks that will fit the M700, I like I have spare bases, sharing my AICS mags (again, this may be possible with Savage).
It just seems if I'd take up a new precision rig in the Savage platform that I would have a new set of tools, cleaning accessories that I may have to purchase. I think of it as changing from an AR15 to a AR308 platform or AR10 to AR308 style migration, maybe not but I'm sure you get what I am saying.
Handle a few M700s, if they feel comfortable, give it a go. I like my Savages as hunting rigs.
No disrespect, but I'm not really interested in deer-of-angle accuracy.
