man, I have the thumbhole M25 .223, had it since 2008, and I never had any issues with this gun other than never missing...I told a few people back in the day that the M25 is a sweet deal, and since then savage is my rifle of choice hands down...now everyone wants one, my buddy just picked up a walking varminter in 222, just because he doesn't have a 222, no issues...now, he reloads some ammo for me in 223 and 22H, and my M25 223 always shot 50-55 grainers touching at 100 with factory ammo, but with 35gr VMAX bullets, the little babies they are, 1 ragged hole with 5 rounds off bags...with that pill pushing 3850fps, not good for fox, but he's tested the round on chucks and says he held at the top of a chucks head at a lasered 450, and knocked him a$$ over teacups with a center chest entrance, no exit