downsides to the new savage action style:
smooth barrel nut - PITA to swap barrels
Bolt release by trigger guard - really goofy if you want to take out the action bolts
Accustock - great idea, not so great product. Bedding makes a big improvement.
cad pac camo looks cool but is a royal PITA to keep clean. might be better with a matte clear topcoat.
Upsides of the new savage action style
looks more like other mainstream rifles
Accustock does improve on the basic polymer stock for not too much of a weight or cost increase.
If you get the 223 version, you will have one of the longest mags in this cal. no problem loading 75gr VLD's for lots of LR fun. Feeding is usually very smooth as the center feed design doesn't have the drag staggered mags might suffer from.
All savages can benefit from proper bolt timing to make them lighter and easier to cycle. These new actions don't benefit as much as the older styles but will still feel much nicer then they are out of the box.
Otherwise, they offer all the positives of the Savage product line up.
1/2 min is certainly not out of the question with proper handloads AND bedding.
Jerry