"Jon" - Could you comment more about the "Remington-Lee you use to hunt with".

I am assuming it was in .30-40 and with the forward 'locking-lugs' you felt the action strong enough for near .308 loads?

Was your Remington-Lee a factory sporter or a cut-down military configuration.

I have seen a number of cut-down model 1899 Remington-Lee rifles, that were from the Michigan National Guard contract. The stocks are often split at the side of the wrist, behind the action.