If you go to the browning website and check the dimensions of the two stocks they are identical. So there should be no difference as far as scope mounting.So its a matter of preference to you. Note that the pistol grip 81 comes factory equipped with swivel studs but not the straight 81 I use the straight 81 in 358 with weaver grand slam steel bases and leupold quick release weaver style rings( 1" low ) with a leupold 1.5x5. and i find this my most comfortable rifle in the rack. I bought this rifle in December 2006 and am sorry i didn't buy one many years ago.