I owned a CVA Stalker Bass Pro Special, AKA Bobcat. I too removed the back butt plate and added about two pounds of bird shot that I vacuum sealed twice, into the butt of the rifle. After replacing the butt plate it took all the kick out of the rifle.
As for accuracy, 85 grains of 2f Triple Seven an over the powder car and a patched round ball, and the first year owning it, I was able to harvest three deer with it. Not one deer went over 30 yards after being hit. I found the rifle easy to carry, accurate, and because of the price, I guess I did not worry about whether it got scratched.
I finally traded that off even up for a Knight LK-II. But it was a great rifle.