Hank, that is supposed to Inspire ya not discourage ya !! You can do it ! Just take it slow & measure 5 times before ya cut.
It takes me longer to do the drawing & figuring than it does to build it, as for some of the things ya do, once ya do it there is no turning back. A good book to go by is The Gunmakers of Grenville County. Very indepth & good easy reading & good instructions. I have not used Jims kits but have looked at them & from what I have seen of them they are superb.
Also, you don't have to carve or engrave one to make a beautiful rifle. As you can see, that rifle is not real fancy carved & has no engraving at all but the wood really makes it come alive... Most of the old rifles we not carved & engraved, they were utility rifles & most of the ones you see now from old days that are fancier are still here because they were not used much & were put away.
Buy a kit, take your time & have at it. You may be really suprised with the results.