I stripped the cosmoline surface with a carbide cutter to get down to good wood so i could apply a (trueoil) finish. It is very rough surface but quite practical/ nonslip . after several coats inside and out i then used the liquid wax to make it waterproof as well. Piller bedded/ Freefloat. I actually have two all original 8mm's ( other than the sporterization) and both shoot 1/2" groups with my special load.If your rifle could speak. Stock shows plenty lines of wisdom.