I recently acquired a Rem 742 in .243 ca. 1977. The stock and everything else are in 99.9% mint. This rifle has probably not seen 50 rounds through it in it's 31 years of life.
I had it checked out, and everything is good mechanically.
The one comment that my semi-gunsmith buddy had to say was that he would do something different with the scope.
Right now, the scope is on weaver view-thru rings (like the one pictured above), and therefore sits kind of high. It is difficult to get a good cheek weld and see through the scope.
The iron sites on this rifle are very nice, and rock solid.
One suggestion was to use a comb raising kit... which I went to BassPro and tried one on... it worked for the scope, but basically disabled the iron sites.
I fully understand the importance of a good cheek weld, and I also understand the physics that go along with putting the scope as low to the barrel as possible.
This is a deer hunting rifle, for the northwoods of missouri. right now, the property we hunt is pretty heavily wooded, and a shot beyond 100 yds is unlikely.
I can definitely see the advantages of lowering the scope, but I can also see the advantages of having open sites available for my current hunting situation.
What would you do? (btw... money IS an issue... any solutions over $50 will not fly)