To the OP: I, too, just acquired an older (F-series) 30-06 at my states first Fish & Game auction as a 'learning' tool.

The finish on the birch stock is time consuming to remove and I may go with the something like a Minwax dk. walnut or ebony to cover it up. The wood is easy to shape with some sharp gouges & sand paper so the barrel nut doesn't rest on the wood and maybe some bedding gel could help.

The stock trigger is easy enough to adjust for hunting purposes while the rest of it is so darn easy to work on I can't understand why it was so darn filthy when I got it.

Once I make the stock components as good as they're gonna get (meaning I've 'touched & messed with'), then the 'modding' begins for a 'switch-everything' gun.