First of all, congratulations on getting an original 71. My only comment beyond that is I would think carefully about having all this work done. You will put a lot of money into this and to other people the rifle will not be worth what it costs you to do all this. If it is worth it to you then by all means do it but the rifle will hunt the same before and after. The only reason I bring this up is that I once had the urge to rework a WWI G98. New blue, sanded and refinished the stock. Looks gorgeous but I have regretted doing it ever since. I wish I could undo what I did to that rifle. I hunt with a rifle like the one you describe all the time and even with the extra holes it still kills deer and feels great in my hands. For what you will put into it you can probably get close to buying an untouched 71 and feel better about it.
