Agree on asthetics, plastic just not that pretty.
I guess you gotta look at a rifle like you would a tool to appreciate ugly.
I like a beautiful piece of lumber on a find classic action like the next guy.
I just hate to scratch up a fancy gun, feel more comfortable with an ugly gun.
Here's my custom FN 98 Swede/Shilen in a McWoody. To me this is trying to look pretty and still go synthetic
DF