Eagle, thanks for the chuckle.

It is not an "iron sight" stock and FN did not supply a rear sight. All my other FNs with scopes mounted the proper 1&1/2" over bore or less work just fine as issued. Look at a prewar M 70 or a 721 A low comb variation …. those are iron sight stocks.

The M-1 style cheek rest dooes not really raise the comb, it is to move you left to line up with the offset sniper scope models of the M-1 (I have one on mine). It is also butt ugly.

As for putting you chin on the comb, my pal has a 6 pound 8x60 Mauser with the same type of suitcase handle scope and a razor sharp comb. He also uses a pillow.

The rail idea makes sense to me as the gun requires no butchering and the mounting will be a more solid one piece rail as a claw mount is not an interference fit in the front and depends on the rear mount to tie the scope down. The heavier the cartridge and the heavier the scope the less success in meeting that objective.

Of course the scope, although probably pushing 60, is a great piece of glass, just mounted too high and having a reticle totally silly for a 6X glass hunting in North America. I could see it on a single shot 98 Werhmannsgewehr in 81.5x46R with a custom Schuetzen stock, double sets and a new reticle from TL Lee, but building a 6 grand rifle around a $800 scope would be among my largest waste of $ projects.

The rifle also has the horrible FN single stage non adjustable trigger. That will go into the parts box and be replaced with a 98 tuned and stoned two stage which can be safe and still @3 pounds. Probably the second best trigger, only surpassed by a 1903 NM Springfield for all around use. Really dislike single stage triggers and where possible always set them up to have some take up before there is pressure to release the striker.

We'll see how it works out, would like to be able to slip in the scabbard on 2014's Elk hunt.