The package scope do just what they are supposed to, get you started and hold you over for awhile till you can put a nicer scope on if you choose. To answer the question about whether or not I have tried a thumbhole stock? Nope, not yet. I really just got back into guns a couple of years ago. I found myself hurting a lot after my accident at work and shooting was the last thing that I wanted to do. Before that, I pretty much just thought of my guns as a tool, something to do when bored, but nowdays I have found my guns also being my hobby lol. I may look into a thumbhole stock for my .270 down the road though.