first things first... yeah, smaller scope is it! I have a VX-II 2-7x33 that WOULD work, but its probably better suited to a 35 Whelen or something similar (the W will hopefully join the collection next month) if not, it will end up on the M98 30-06. I'd like a VX-III in 1.5-5~ish.

beyond that, I don't mind the stock aft sight, so I might just get a ring for the front and call it good, seeing as how I'll be scoping it anyway.

the OEM recoil pad is pretty pathetic, its hard and thin. I think I can do the work myself (dad's done at least a dozen shotguns at one time or another...) so I just need to find one... I also think that I could use an extra 1/2 to 1 inch of LOP, so the deeper pad can't hurt!

as I said elsewhere, I'd like to get or have made some form of shoulder "girdle" (both side have substantial injuries), and while the one or two shots in the field aren't any problem, getting pounded on the bench during zero-ing sessions and 40-round multi-posture range sessions could lead to a flinch pretty easily, and that's something I DON'T want. I've seen neoprene shoulder braces that might do the trick, but there's got to be something somewhere made for people who benchrest 30-378s!

as I said yesterday, two shots down, thousands to go!