JohnCharlie, it no doubt has character.

mine looked like a spruce 2x4, I had to stain mine with walnut stain.

DJ Try 96-98 grains of H-4831 behind a 400 grain whatever. Every body says to use, like, 108 grains. Hmmmmm, maybe so, but I like the 98 grain load better. That has shot well for me in three different 416 Rigby rifles.

RIP I'll use the wood stock for Africa, and the McMillan for every where else. Better get a monocle too, eh what old chap.

El Jeffe When it comes back if you like the look you are welcome to turn a pattern off of it.

That cross bolt does look like something that Janet Jackson would wear on her hooter. I'll replace it with a Talley assembly. George says that with the barrel channel lug I won't need a front cross bolt, but I'll put one in any way. Might as well tart the little bitch up, eh?

Hey Guys,
It turns out that my gunsmith (George Vais) was a cabinet maker in one of his previous lives. He said it was a good stick, and should be strong with the straight grain structure. Or something like that.
Soooooo, he is going to reshape the cheekpiece, round off the tip, and cut it in a bit behind the pistol grip.
I asked him about a barrel band. He said "Noooo. The English use those things because they have those short little forends that taper like shotguns." "On a real stock like this the stud is out there far enough you won't hit your hand with it." He was saying this as he was marking on the stock with his grease pencil.
I have learned not to argue with George on gunsmithing matters. Anyways, I will be fifty soon. I have heard, but don't know yet, that when you turn fifty you start getting soft and sentimental, and you begin to look more kindly at blued steel and walnut. So long as I don't ever have to watch a chick flick, I guess I can live with a little tradition.
JCN
PS I picked up (as in picked up, not as in I bought) a CZ Luxe in 375 H&H today, it had very straight, VERY dense wood. The f****r must have weighed 12 pounds. No recoil, I'm sure, but I'd have to feed a big gun bearer to haul that thing around.