I agree! Even with nice wood I would use this rifle! (For me, a great rifle with pretty wood, that has seen use, [been beat up a bit], is "nicer" then, a pristine condition stock, that has a perfect glossy sheen! The 25-06 isn't bad, and I taught my wife and daughter to hunt with a 25-06 loaded down to soften it up even more. They can handle full house loads, but not for a "fun day" at the range. A 90 grain Sierra GK on top of a mild load of H4895 makes a nice light recoiling, deer round, in our opinion! Just don't shoot for bone, and keep your range in check! I just want to hand down a rifle that looks nicer then the plastic! I want to build a nice looking rifle, that shoots like a dream. Maybe Boyd's is the way to go. Nice, but not too nice! I'll look at something else for a "club shoot" gun, with some drool factor built in!! This should be a hunting rifle build! Well said taylorce1 :)