André,

Congratulations and may this be the first in a gunsafe filled with many doubles!

Yes, please leave the rifle original except for the recoil pad. This is a beautiful rifle and it should be possible for you, since you make your own bullets anyway, to work out a good load for it.

Now that you have posted gun pictures here, you are duty-bound to post hunting pictures in the futures as well.

On that note, let me wish you great hunting!