Mike,

I had a thick side high-wall take-down with a skinny little round barrel chambered for the .25-35. It had a very mild recoil, so I am pretty sure your #3 will be even more pleasant to shoot (if not to carry!) My only concern with your tapered octagon barrel is getting the taper on the blocks appropriate... but working with octagon flats rather than a curved surface makes that somewhat easier. Sounds like a neat project.

Congratulations,
Froggie

It ain't easy being green!