Sir,

I can do an H&R thumbhole stock in any color combination that "Boyd's" offers as I use their laminated stock blanks. For the forends, I offer them in widths of 2", 2 1/2" or 3". The 2 1/2" is the most popular unless the gun will be shot strictly from a bench and then the 3" is chosen...

As far as the factory 223 goes, a good trigger, muzzle recrown and a properly bedded forend will make it the best it can be in factory form. I rechamber more of these guns to the 222 Rem. Mag. Improved than all others combined. This round can be loaded with a set of 223 Ackley Improved dies and can give an additional velocity increase of some 200-300 fps. over the regular 223. It really all just depends on what one wants from their gun....

DAVID