ok here go's, I have 2 savage model 12 LRPV's one in 223 rem for factory match's( VFS @ MGGOA twin oaks range/gun club) and one in 30 br to shoot IBS VFS match's
#1) factory all the way, shoots 53 fowler,uber 52 berger or 53 sierra's in one hole, but, it's a well worked hand load in lapua brass with vitv powder, factory accu-trigger too
# 2)started with same savage target action, got a sharpeshooter supply custom benchrest trigger, rock creek LV taper barrel chambered and install by "humble herny rivers" WITHOUT the nut (just because I wanted to do it that way), stocked by zane athey, same glass as my panda VFS IBS gun, it shoots just as good as my panda I just haven't had but one chance to shoot it in a match and then i went 1/2 ass prepared and left the rear bag it likes @ home so i shot the other bag and it showed in score
I also had a regular old hunting action(repeater) that i did load work on that a friend "built/assembled" with a Sharpeshooter shilen barrel (no turn neck)that i bedded in a factory stock and it shoot great, in fact adrain van gorder shot it in a winter league match( he had never seen rifle before either) and finished 3rd, if the owner would put a good trigger in it it would be a bugholer too
SOOOOO,, nut or no nut, up to you either way works GREAT, amd if your a shooter with a barrel vise and action wrench you know either way is quick and easy to switch barrels