Just received my new FV-SR from Bud's Gun Shop. Was surprised to find that the 16.5" barrel was non-fluted. I raised the issue with Bud's and customer service rep contacted Savage and was told that some of the rifles were, in fact, made up w/non-fluted barrels. I really don't care about the fluting and a plain heavy barrel suits me fine. I'm curious, however, if anyone else has had a similar experience with either the .22LR or .22 Magnum versions of this rifle, or the 17HMR.