Shimming might actually work, I didn't think about that possibility. I do believe the butt plate is Winchester-marked; I doubt they would have had very slight variation between the three arsenals?

I do not think the plate is bent though. So shimming may get the "go", if that can't work then plug'n'drill I will...

I guess my main concern is that if the plate isn't making solid contact, the recoil will be absorbed by the top screw and over time the wood will get damaged.

Lou