Being a dedicated slug gun is not a problem. I looked at the cantilever but I have read good and bad both ways. So I decided for the drilled and taped way but I do see your point. The barrel will always more moderately the way they are setup.
Now the question is that I get a barrel pinned and keep my current setup. What barrel? A hastings barrel, what are like or they just a stock replacement?
One other question, has anyone had any experience with the new savage bolt action slug gun?