BSA, I'm with you on the McMillan stock and bet you are correct about it being a tack driver once mounted and free-floated. However, here are the things that rattle around in my head. First, this rifle has been hunted quite a bit and while I wouldn't say the stock is in terrible shape, it has enough scars on it to not make me worry about inflicting additional damage. I tend to take care of my rifles, so any new dings that it might acquire should be very minor. The second thing is that my Dad carried this rifle a lot and killed quite a few deer and elk with it. Therefore, I'd like to do the same with the rifle in the same condition, i.e the same walnut stock.
I did just put that Burris scope on it and it kind of pained me to take that old Redfield off of it, just for nostalgia sake. So...you see where I'm coming from on this, right?
Makes all the sense in the world to me.
I happen to like my Pre '64 M70 rifles in "correct" stocks, though I will sometimes change to a different "correct" stock to obtain a Monte Carlo comb or find one previously cut for a pad.
But that's just me, and I have other choices for conditions that merit a more "durable", weatherproof rifle.
Those who want to put theirs in 'glass to build a hunting rifle: more power to them. People are free to do as they please with their property.
I do hate to see irreversible alterations of "correct" rifles (unless the barrel is toast), and I hate to see guns parted out. But, again, free country and all that.
