F&S Mag is all a-twitter with the new E.R. Shaw Mark VIIs. Any feedback?

[SteveM]

According to Rifle Editor David Petzal in the August '09 issue, this is the first full-scale rifle model to come out of the E.R. Shaw barrel maker (ershawbarrels.com) in the 95 year history of the company. Bolt-action with a choice of straight, straight-fluted, or hellical-fluted barrels (man, it looks like a piece of candy). Some of the attributes claimed: "...produces a barrel that is 30 percent more rigid than a barrel with straight fluting...greater cooling surface, help counter rotational torque, improve barrel harmonics." The action is a Savage without a barrel-locking collar, thus allowing free-floating of the barrel, recoil lug is glass-bedded.

You may need to full around with different ammo makes, but the right ones get 1.3-l.5 groups (.30-06). The rifle "...frequently produces groups that go under half a minute," according to Petzal. 3.5 lb. trigger, 7.5 lbs without scope. The price: $650 - $l,250. Over 80 chamberings and 3 stock styles. If I didn't already have a dead-on Remington 700 in .270, I would consider this affordable rifle.

fieldandstream.com