Very nice rifle. You can get rid of that rail for either two piece bases or a more asthetic one-piece. The scope has very long tube so you won't have any trouble putting it on whichever base you choose. I have Warne QD rings and very pleased with them on both my plains game 30-06 Springfield and 404J Mauser. They are fairly reasonable price and good quality. Pachmayer Decelerator would be my choice for replacement recoil pad. Solid without the cross-hatching or white line. Since it has trigger block safety, I would assume the trigger is aftermarket adjustable. Pull the action from stock and have a look. Also, check to make sure action is bedded. If not, that should be your first fix. If full length bedded, and that was very common back in J.C. Penney days, then remove bedding in barrel channel back to chamber. I think it will be easier to replace that grip cap than repair it. You have a large knot ahead of the bolt that needs filling. Look inside the magazine well to make sure the stock is not compromised. If okay, then fill the knot. Use epoxy that is dyed. You can find the pigments sold online. It only takes a very small amount of pigment to color the epoxy. Don't use latex wood filler. No strength. In that situation it would probably come loose in short order. The rollover cheek piece is a relic from bell bottom jeans era. It doesnt bother me but as long as you're reworking the stock for new recoil pad and filling the knot, might want to consider trimming the rollover back to make the stock standard Monte Carlo. Personally, I would do everything to keep that stock. Nice looking wood (except the knot) with good checkering. Use chemical stripper and be careful with checkering. I use Linspeed oil finish. Good color and easy to work with. Just finished refinishing this 404J on 98 Mauser.
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