First off, thanks for the replies.

The why is for two reasons. First is contour. Factory barrel is kinda thin I guess. It shoots fine though, but thought about a sporter with a similar barrel contour as my son's Savage Mark II target gun.

Second is that plastic shield thing in front of the action. Not that bad and I guess it goes with the stamped lower end, but a nicely contoured barrel would look so much better.