I just bought one of these in .270, but haven't fired it yet. The reviews I read on it were all positive. From looking at it you can tell it's no collectors rifle but I haven't seen anything that really stands out. The only thing I did find is the magazine had to be loaded a certain way to make sure the feeding was reliable. I was pleasantly suprised by the trigger, it seems pretty good, but I am by no means an expert.
My thinking was for $290 how could I loose.

yup i'm thinking the same thing man. the stevens is very accurate. i said to myself if its half decently accurate i'll keep it if not i'll sell it but its really good!