Local FFL has them for $268.
Stock is flimsy and lame overall. Also has a lot of flashing left over from the molding process. But it is still useable. Trigger is the same as the old pre-accutrigger Savage. Basically, everything about it is an older pre-accutrigger Savage except for the name on the bolt.
If you spend the $80 on a stock, and $75 on a trigger to make it better ...then you're right at where a new Savage is anyway. Except the Savage will have the bigger bolt handle and a heavy barrel.
I debated back on forth whether I should get one. My conclusion after a lot of research is: if you need a bolt action on a budget - this is the ticket. However, it's one of those guns that is best to buy and just leave as is. Because the advantage is in the price. Modding it with aftermarket parts negates the reason for buying that rifle in the first place.
There is one other reason people buy it, to use it as a platform for going custom. Basically buying for the action, and selling off the stock, barrel, bolt handle and the rest of the parts for whatever they can get.
Barrel should be fine, but keep in mind - just because it is bolt action rifle does not make it a tack-driving match-grade rig. The throat and leade is actually bigger than what is used in Krieger barrels for match AR-15's. You'll get better lockup with the bolt, but the barrel will not be match grade. Keep that in mind. So long as you have realistic expectations of this rifle - it should be a good value. Just thought I'd mention that since I've found that many, many, many Stevens owners are either serious exaggerators, or judge accuracy by the flawed "3-shot group" theory or the "group of the day" ...
I think you can do better than $336. I've seen that price around here locally, usually in the real popular retail type gun stores.
