First off, welcome to the group. You'll find some very informative information being shared by everyone. I strongly suggest you read and listen, BUT then make your own mind up because like rifles, not all shoot the same and shooter's tastes are different.
Now to your situation. I am and have always been an accuracy freak for more than 50 years of shooting. Some of my Benchrest buddies got me addicted to the rimfire craze about two years ago. As a result, I now own an Anschutz 64 MPR, two Savage MKII's (TR & BV models) and a good old Remington bolt action that was given to me about the time Noah finished the Ark. As a result of this continuing educational process, I have had the opportunity to shoot all sorts of "general production" rifles and custom built rigs that cost anywhere from $3500 to $10,000. Now obviously, being retired I don't have the fund to buy a custom rig as much as I'd love to own one. Instead and has been said, Savages makes an incredibly good shooting series of MKII rifles (regardless of the model) right out of the box and without having to make any changes. My TR and BV both like different MATCH ammo's because they have different barrels and thus like different ammo's. Now don't make the mistake of believing that just because one TR or BV likes a specific ammo, that another of the same model and make will shoot equally as well. Rimnfire's are nototious in general to have very specific tastes no matter the manufacturers or builder. Having said that, again for the money, you cannot beat an Anschutz for performance, comfort and worksmanship. I say that not to belttle any other manufacturer's product, but am just stating a opinion.
I shoot for fun in local competitions. I have in the past, shot both my Savages as well as my Anschutz. I have placed relatively high with the Savages, but have won several of the shoots with my Anschutz that feels as good as some of the $5,000 rigs I've shot with the Hall/Turbo actions, Lilja/Broughton MAtch Grade barrels and an array of customized trigger selections. Now if you are SERIOUS about winning competitions, you just can't do it with a Savage because your competition brings better quality equipment, along with $600 - $1000 scopes to see better. And then of course there is the ammo cost difference with some folks getting very decent results using $5 a box Wolf ammo while other find they get excellent results with ELey Tenex Red ($20 a box) even Eley Black that goes for around $13.50 a box depending on where you buy it. And in Rimfire Ammo, what you are paying for is consistency in the make up of all the ammo in a given box. Now my Anschutz shoots incredible groups with Lapua Midas+ that costs me $15.50 a box, but shoots well with Lapua Center X that goes for $9.40 a box. Won't shoot Wolf worth a darn. Now my Savage TR does very nicely with Wolf Match Extra ($7.00 a box) while my Savage BV shoots extremely well with Federal Ultra Match UM22 that costs $14.99 a box.
Bottom line, everything is relative, not necessarily to cost although the better the quality, the more likely you'll take those 1st places which I've done a few times this past summer since buying the Anschutz 64 mpr. BTW, it has a Harrel Tuner on the barrel as well to achieve the best harmonics which allows for very tight groups at 50 yds. A good scope is necessary as well because you can't hit what you can't see. But that doesn't mean you have to go out and buy a $1,000 scope although you's be amazed the difference between say a Leupold 35X or 45X Competition Scope used by the more serious competitiors and say a Mueller 8-32X44 that cost a quarter of that amount and allows for very good optics like on my TR. Gotta say that 35X Leupold lets these old eyes see thing I never imaged on an ARA (American Rimfire Association) target.
Lastly, this Rimfire business is toxic in terms of depleting your wallet. You will always find something better and nicer than you have. That doesn't mean your wallet can carry the load. Don;t get crazy and learn to have fun with what you have. AT the same time, you must test for the best possible ammo that YOUR PARTICULKAR rifle shoots to find it's potential. SO I'd recommend you go "feel" any rifle you are considering buying. Think over the potential financial exposure to your wallet because this sport isn't cheap and can run away from your finances REAL quick. But I can attest to you it is some of the best fun you can find as is Target Shooting, whether for competitions or for pure fun. In competition, I believe there is only one person you are shooting against and that is yourself. You cannot control how others shoot but you can improve your own shooting if you work at it.
Good luck and have fun whichever you decide to go.
