My first .375 Ultra I carried for more than 200 days a year and shot frequently. The short 20", fluted barrel resulted in a slightly clubby feel, but not so bad that I couldn't handle it quickly or shoot it straight. I shot just about everything through it, from 260 gr BTs and ABs, 270 gr Interlocks, 270 and 300 gr Xs, XLCs, TSXs, mono-metal solids from both Barnes and PMP, and a couple of heavy weights, the 350 gr Woodleighs and 380 gr Rhinos. Across the board, I got the best velocity with H100V, but most of my loads were worked up with H-4350 and H-4831. I'd stay away from powders that need to be heavily compressed like R-25 and Retumbo. Cast, or inexpensive jacketed bullets can be loaded over light charges of Unique for small game shooting, I was getting 1200 fps, and ptarmigan hit with them looked like they had been shot with a .22. COAL was never a concern, I just seated my bullets to the cannelure and crimped them. This thing shot like a varmint rifle. My second .375 Ultra just got finished and is on its way home, this one has the factory Brno barrel cut to 22" which I hope moves the balance slightly forward.
Some elements that you might consider for your rifle include a knuckle deflector behind the trigger guard, a good quality recoil pad, and in the case of the Savage, a heavy weight stock. Place the front sling swivel on the radius of the forend tip to prevent getting cut hand, and instal a Picatinny rail scope base so you can mount your scope well forward to avoid getting cut, particularly if you intend to shoot from low supported field positions. I had a custom quarter rib that was inletted for QD Tally rings and used a scout scope on the first rifle, haven't made up my mind about glass on this one. Beware of using low mounted iron sights if your stock has a high comb, that thing will loosen your fillings.
Left to right: recovered 270 gr XLC, 300 gr X, 380 gr Rhino, unfired 380 gr Rhino
