If you don't handload, over time the savings may be realized on a different chambering. With the Savage, you are more likely to get a shooter out of the box. If you got a shooter in the Kimber, I'd say it's worth the extra coin. As much as I am not a fan of any of the bottom rung Winchester, Savage, Ruger and Reemington rifles, accuracy generally isn't an issue.
This seems correct, re: loading. That said, I was at BPS and GreenTop today. Both had tons of 280AI sitting around on sale. Regular 280 was nearly sold out (I grabbed some 165 CL just to fool with) but apparently AI is just a step too far even for panic buyers. So you could always just buy a ton of ammo now and have it last for a decade.
It's a moot point because it isn't chambered in 280AI, but in terms of overall build and component quality, I don't think any of the other entry level guns are on the same level as Winchester's XPR. (I'm not trying to hijack, I swear!)
