When I looked to purchase a precision AR in .308, side-charging was one of my criteria. Like the man said above, don't wanna have to take my eye off the scope to work the bolt.
I bought a JP Enterprises LRP-07 and ain't regretted it yet.
Savage's bolt actions are clunky, rattly, and loose.......cheap feeling. They have a fuck ton of improvement to do in their tolerances if they wanna make a good AR that runs and is accurate. For instance, the ejection port cover appears plastic on the MSR.
I damn hate the Accutrigger.
Personally this doesn't even quirk my eyebrow, but I'm willing to give it the benefit of the doubt. I'll be happy to shoot it and give an honest opinion. If it's a good gun, I'll endorse and recommend it.