I have two Howa's that I have Boyds laminated stocks on (270 & 25-06). I think they are very nice stocks for the money. I'm thinking about buying another before long. I may try a thumbhole for my .223. I bought the ones that are finished and have had to do very little to make them fit. Actually the only fitting I had to do was on the 25-06, it has a 3 pos safety and the slot wasn't long enough for the safety to go all the way back to the bolt lock position.