Got the same rifle in 30 '06. I sent mine to Fred and Lisa and they did an incredible (normal for them I hear) job on timing the bolt and smoothing out the action. He also fitted the spare magazines I bought from Savage and had fitting problems with. Made it into a whole other kind of animal for reasonable money. I put a 3.5 x 10 VX III, an over sized bolt handle, and a limbsaver recoil pad on it. This rifle will do just about anything now. It likes just about every kind of factory ammunition and shoots both 150 and 180 grain bullets well. I find mine shoots a bit tighter when the bore is slightly dirty. I think you made a great choice in that rifle and will be happy for many years. Best of luck and don't be surprised when you put your first 5 shots in a dime sized hole.