I think one needs to be able to "see" the finished product in his mind to be able to do it well. Without a goal your efforts might be mis-directed. But, as coosa said, it can be done acceptably by an amateur with determination.

I once bought a 30" barreled 12 ga. Sterlingworth Ejector to use as a hunting gun. It had been restocked (buttstock only) by someone who had good inletting ability but apparently no desire to have it look anything like the original. It bugged me to no end. So, I tackled the project of reshaping it totally to make it look more "Foxy". This link will take you to the thread on the AH Fox site where I detailed the process. The results are nothing to crow about, but acceptable to me, and certainly better looking than the restock looked before.

[Linked Image from jpgbox.com]

http://forum.foxcollectors.com/viewtopic.php?t=7229

May God bless America and those who defend her.