Okay all, I spoke with Mr. DeGrande @ Savage and am very pleased.
Super nice guy, interesting in fixing my problem and helping me get satisfaction. After some discussion, he believes the problem may well be with the magazine and he is going to send me a new one, along with instructions on how to return the one that came with my rifle so that they can take a look at it.
My faith is restored. I believe if I continue to have a problem with this rifle that Savage will stand behind it.
(Any way to edit a thread title to one less accusitory
?)