Great starter rifle as well, in the 9 twist, if you reload you can work up good range loads in the 69 smks and decent huntin rounds in the 55 gr range. I haven't tried anything lighter, and don't intend to. Drop it in a new stock and get a quality trigger and scope and you'd be good to go. That's the route I went with that rifle, and there is no reason for me to rebarrel this one, it shoots too good for me. Haven't taken it in the field much, mostly range and steel but man it's had 900 rounds through and still shooting good.
I have heard bad reviews on the finish on the sps tacticals due to rust issues, but I cannot vouch on that. I don't leave it in vehicles and I don't bang it around. It has served me well and been a great investment.