I think I am going to get screwed on this. Took it back to Gander. The "gunsmith" stated, I have seen this on a few rifles before but this is the first H&R I have had to deal with. Also my Warranty was for two years. I stated that H&R's warranty was two years and Ganders was 1 year after that. They looked it up on the NEF site and couldn't find any info. Just dumb. Bad vibes from the start. The rifle has Chiote surviver stocks on it. He said he had to ship it complete and they would probably send back a new rifle. I hope I get my stock set back. The other issue is this, it is a 24" bull barrel, 1 in 9 twist, Not available any more. I got the impression he didn't think it was an issue, just a bad heat treatment. Not. The "gunsmith" issue has reared it's ugly head again. I WILL get my new three year warranty when, if, I get this back. In the mean time I have an older SB1 frame with wood on it, 12g, 410g, hand made muzzleloader, and 45 LC. I have other guns to use but I am a handyholic. I had big plans for the 270 and 223 this fall. I guess I should have more than 1 SB2 receiver. Oh well I do have a S&W classic hunter in 41 mag. 8" at 100y.