Ok, here’s the skinny on how to do this without being shady, and there’s nothing illegal about it. Get your friend to buy it, tell him to fire a few rounds through it to see if he likes it. If he doesn’t like it, then offer to buy it off him.
Savage produced this rifle, probably to compete with the likes of the Remington 700 5R or Police models. From what I read, the Police model was originally only sold to LE/MIL members only in the beginning, but like the Aimpoint PRO, it ended up being sold to everyone after a while. Anyway, I’m guessing that Savage wanted LE/MIL types to get first crack at it, and I bet they will continue to produce this line because it will probably be a hit, and eventually everyone will be able to get it.
Of course, not every LE/MIL is into shooting, let alone want one of these, and since it’s NR, it’s not prohibibited, members are free to flip the rifle to anyone else if they decide they don’t like it. There is nothing illegal or shady about a member who wants to give up their personal non restricted, non prohibited rifle. Based on the specs, the thing’s going to make money, and I bet they’ll continue a run of these after they’ve tapped out the LE/Market “only” market, despite what I’ve read about Savage not producing anymore.