Dan,
I don't do target/varmint for ends. Although I do a variety of shapes, it would be uniform over its full length.
That's why I was wondering?
There is a Jerry Fisher .220 Swift Mauser single shot on my web site that is much more to my tastes.

My clients pretty much like the way I do things but earlier in my career the challenge was sometimes to judiciously talk the client out of a bad idea. I guess we have no idea whose idea this forend was?

When designing a project I always try to have the judgement of future generations in mind. As in; Will this look good, work properly and seem like a good idea in 100 years?
Best,
Steve