I would restore it. I think this is the right thing to do whether you hunt with it or not. I don't think you would hurt it by hunting with it, and from one perspective you continue to bring honor to the rifle and yourgrandfather by using it to hunt. I have a sporterized .30-06 that my father made from a springfield .30-06 military rifle. I would very much like to take a bull elk with this rifle, and my thought is to use the rifle in a way my father never had the opportunity but would approve heartily. In my thought this would bring honor to the rifle and honor my father's memory.