Didn't want to say that but Baz said it for me! I am prejudiced but get a BrumBow (best medium weight springer on the planet!).
Had my first Tornado throughout the 70's and used it with open sights to shoot rabbits, squirrels and pigeons (more than with any other rifle!). Then I put away childish things . . . . . ! I then had a nostalgia attack some few years ago and bought another Tornado and modified as I showed. Did get a single hole group shot off-hand at 15m but it was almost 4" diam and took nearly a tin of pellets! No more nostalgia!
Soft resting is OK but the secret is always a consistent hold! If the rifle recoils in the same way every time (and a well set-up one will!), a consistent hold will ensure a consistent performance. Hand against a tree and rifle against the hand is fine, rifle against the tree ain't (necessarily!). Have done hundreds of recoil tests in the last few years just to put numbers on things!
Don't necessarily want to talk you out of the restoration but your precious time could be better spent elsewhere!
Happy airgunning!
atvb
David