RE: what can be done to a new gun by a gunsmith
As a gunsmith, I usually do what ShotoDavis recommended. Sometimes I will put the action in a free floated H-S Precision Stock just to see if the factory stock is the cause of any irregularities. Most Remingtons shoot well enough for hunting applications. If I decide to rebarrel, that is the point at which I'm looking at truing up the action and bolt.
Some of my Remingtons have received a lot of custom work. Kreieger barrels, Jewell triggers, sako extractors, etc. But most of them are fairly "stock" guns and will stay that way unless there is some need that comes along. If it ain't broke, don't fix it - unless you have some money that is just burning a hole in your pocket.