Interesting about the top bolt release. I have not noticed anything different about them, but other than the 12FVs, I only have a not so old Savage 10.......and an Axis. I guess I need to compare.
It sounds like it is luck of the draw on the smooth vs notched nut. I read horror stories about removing them, and this is the first barrel nut I have removed. I bought the action vise from NSS. I installed it in my bench vise and put a pipe wrench on the barrel nut. I tried to protect the barrel nut with several wraps of electrical tape, but it did not help. I smacked the wrench twice with a short piece of 2X4 and it broke loose. The barrel nut is marred, but I didn't intend on using it anyway, and nothing else was harmed.
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