[JLA]

Definitely lap the lugs at the very least airdale. I know the savage stevens have the floating bolt head thats supposed to give 100% blah blah blah, but it does make a diffrence. and while you have the bolt apart order a tactical knob. The factory savage hunting bolt knobs are short and in the evolution chassis they may be hard to get ahold of. If you have the tools or a smith closeby, have him face off the action square with the barrel threads and if the Savage nut is factory have him face it off square with its threads too. Itll make for a bind free fit which will help tremendously in the accuracy dept. Mostly in stopping unexplained flyers.

The criterion barrels are my choice. Just make sure you do a proper break in. My break in method is a modified version of Jim Briggs'. Do it right and you'll likely never have to brush that bore to clean it. Does the .284 bore have 4 groove radiused rifling or 6 groove? The .308 barrel i ordered has 4 groove radiused. Or 'tangentially disposed' as its properly referred to.

Im completely sold on the evolutions chassis systems too. They are comparable in price to the AICS chassis, but have all the benefits of a modular AR system with the rail options and whatnot and are completely user adjustable. Soon as i can justify burning a grand Im putting one on my savage.

The recoil lug keyway on the stevens action will likely need to be addressed before the NSS lug will fit it. Most important thing is to make sure the lug key doesnt bottom out in the keyway. Im sure Jim explained it to you, he did me when i made my first order.

Speaking of which I have an order form him coming in pretty soon for my remage hybrid. Cant wait!