have enjoyed this websters book of gun facts, except for some unproven speculation about the skill level of Savage workers.
Rumor has it that a bunch of ex Savage assembly line workers started up Kimber but not sure about that information.
recently read a review in a major magazine on the Stevens 200 and the arthor stated that the barrel was the smoothest he had ever tested and required absolutely no brushing to clean. I have 5 in my safe and none of them are rough,none have been lapped, maybe I just got lucky.
Read something in a magazine that is your first problem. There is no way that an author would be paid off by a major firearms manufacturer to write a review. Nah not possible.
Mr. Corbin the CEO of Savage has said that the workers at his company have been there for many years on average,( VERY LOW TURNOVER )which tends to add to the skill level of the work force.
The barstock receiver and the barrel nut were both implemented into the savage rifles to speed manufacture and lower assembly cost without compramising strength or accuracy, a feature some other makers are happy to copy in todays market.
Other then Marlin there are probably a few hundred firms that make bolt action rifles both production and custom. I have not seen that "feature" on any other rifle.