I bought my wife a model 11 in 7mm-08. Shoots great and uglier than hell. With the accuracy and price that a savage has I can over look the ugly. Kinda like a rich ugly girl that wants to spend all her money on you. The nut is just a lock nut. It allows them to set the headspace very precise and keep manufacturing costs down. If not for that they would probably cost more and not shoot as good. If looks matter that much, check out the CZ550. Mine cost less than 100 more than the savage, looks a lot better and shoots slightly better with handloads.