Wow, that is a heck of a first post....
I really don't mean to be condescending... Your questions strike me as someone who really doesn't shoot much, or have a grasp on competitve match shooting. This ties to your questions in your reference to your "Target Grade Rifles". If you want a bone stock Savage, light barrel to match up with a $1200 McMillen target gun; It won't.
Recoil lug bedding: some do behind, some all of it.
Can you tape off the nut: Of course you can. How much bedding support you want is the only question.
Lapping the Lugs: The whole point of the Savage Floating Bolt Head is that IF things aren't perfect, it adjusts, and becomes so.
How good is the crown/ 11 Degree: I doubt that the crown difference would make any difference to you.
Barrel break-in: This is completely personal. They way Savage does rifling, is inherently NOT a method that induces much tool marking. the rifling is "Ironed in" Not cut. I've never understood why people would want to clean a rifle smooth, instead of shooting.
Loads: Again, rifle specific. Sierra and Nosler publish accuracy loads and hunting loads in there literature.
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