Being I live 20 minutes from Hyatts, its very likely your items was sitting on the shelf and re boxed for shipment to you. I have never heard of a rifle coming from Savage with out the firearm in a plastic sleeve bag and also the bolt. As to the rust and the stock, I agree those items should be satisfactory when they reach you from Savage.

I personally would recommend you buy from Buds Gun Shop on line as they have a NO HASSLE Return policy. You get an items and for whatever reason you arent happy with it (Inspect it before you transfer it) call them for a call tag and they pay the freight back and send you out another replacement or refund you money.

I know of what I speak. I am an FFL and handled literally hundreds of transfers from Buds and the few that had to go back (Rugers and Remingtons only so far) went back without a hitch.

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/index.php