Disturbing quality control issues with Savage (or tale of two Hog Hunters)

I have been wanting a Hog Hunter rifle in .308 for a long time. It was my idea of a do it all modern bolt action (minus cheap stock, plus DBM). So, where to start.... I got my (first) HH in April this year, picked it up from the dealer, so far so good. I started researching how to achieve the final gun, which stock, which DBM etc but in the mean time I noticed the crown had a small dent in what is suppose to be a SHARP cut at the crown. Bummer, it makes me hate the rifle, dang it! Ok, so by this time, even though I have not shot the rifle I can't return it. I did located a nice factory stock and an Accurate-Mag DBM. Fast forward to this month. I buy another HH in hopes to complete the project. Picked it up 3 days ago, all seems ok. I sit down with the rifle today.... freaking rear sight is loose! Ok, slid out the dovetail to tighten the base screw, screw is abused. It was not all the way in and the slot head was all mangled with metal shards everywhere. Upon further inspection the screw hole was not threaded deep enough, whoever assembled the rifle just tightened the screw until the driver started slipping and shipped the dang thing out like that! See pics below:

http://i.imgur.com/K9mFIxSl.jpg
Notice the lack of threading in the rear sight base screw hole.

http://i.imgur.com/nt9ZjDzl.jpg
Notice the damaged screw threads from forcing the screw through un-threaded portion.

http://i.imgur.com/Utx6fnGl.jpg
Damaged crown on my first HH.

So now what to do. Well I think I am for sure returning the newer rifle. Although I can easily finish threading the hole, no big deal there is something else that bothers me. They changed the style of iron sights and I like way better the original one, aaarrrrrgggghhhh!!!!! Can win them all, I guess.

Old style (nice)
http://i.imgur.com/ozniD9kl.jpg
New style (sucks)
http://i.imgur.com/C7JisIXl.jpg
Old style (nice)
http://i.imgur.com/NxNDECol.jpg
New style (sucks)
http://i.imgur.com/qpHxJ7nl.jpg

For the Too Long Post Did Not Read Crowd (TL;DR):
Bought two HH rifles both with factory defects. Iron sights have changed style.

You can touch-up that nicked/dented crown quite easily with a round-headed brass screw and some valve-grinding compund. I know, I know it should never have left the factory that way but sometimes they slip through. Good luck!

So you guys get the idea, this is a mock-up of the parts, basically what I want to do with the rifle. Missing are the Warne rings and bases and Leupy VX-3 1.5-5x.

http://i.imgur.com/WlHTuEc.jpg

What on earth is the contraption on the bottom of that thing?!?!?


nice stock

That is an AccurateMag Bottom Metal for AICS-compatible detachable mags. It is not installed completely, that is a mockup. It goes further inletted into the stock.

The wood comes from a Savage 114 Classic Compact Stock. Will need some barrel channel inletting but the receiver cutout, bolt release channel etc. fit perfect. I think my concept (if it is ever finalized) will be awesome.