Regarding the scope on the Highwall, I have two custom rifles on original flat spring actions. I could not bring myself to drill the actions for a scope base. Both of them have Talley bases on the barrel. One is a .30-40 half octagon barrel and it has flat bases. That rifle has a 2.5X Lyman Alaskan scope that I find just perfect. The second rifle is a 225 Win with a light contour round barrel. My smith made custom Talley bases for the barrel and I fitted a vintage Lyman All-Weather 4X. Both scopes have perfect eye relief and stock height for me and the breeches and hammers are very accessible without scope interference.