Thanks again folks.

I took the action out of the rifle last night, there is no access to the butt end of the stock without doing some serious cutting/hacking.

I plan to replace the barrel band with a metal one so all I have to do is figure out how best to attach the lower swivel.

I also got a free Millett 1.5x-4x scope and rings from a friend so I'm pretty well covered when it comes to sights. I might get a set of the Tech Sights anyway as I've read a great number of very positive comments about them.

I'm thinking that reinforcing from the outside ala Benjammin's idea might be the best solution. I wish I could think of an easy, clean way to access the interior of the stock as I could also use it to store some extra gear.

I'd really like to get at least some minimal use out of the original stock before switching to something else, it seems to fit me pretty well and I was able to set up the scope with just about perfect eye relief using it.

The hunt goes on...

Nothing wrong with wood.
I have a 197x 10/22 going strong still and can still hit a quarter at 50 yards no problem! 100% factory... one of my favorite guns to shoot. Cheap too!

My 10-22 Synthetic stock has studs built-in. Chote (sp?) tool company made the stock.
I have a spare stock for it, looks like you could easily drill it and put pins in there for a strap.

I bought an absolutely bare bones, stock 10/22 with a synthetic stock, and a set of these: http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productnumber=366960

I drilled out the stock, as if it was wood, put some epoxy on the stud, screwed it in and let it dry. Worked just as well as on the wood stock of DW's 10/22.

Follow the instructions as close as possible for a Liberty Training Rifle for an Appleseed, as mentioned above, and get thee to an Appleseed.

I wanted to go but am not to one this coming weekend. When offered tickets to the Army-Navy game, you gotta take them.