Tactical/Target Rifle w/WOOD (Rnd 4)

AMG04

AMG04

Stock Carving
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Minuteman
Jan 26, 2012
699
508
Fort Worth, TX
#1
ROUND 1 - Target / Bench Rifle

After 10-12 years of shooting aluminum chassis and stocks made with some sort of composite, I felt it was time to get back to wood.

Maintaining the form, fit, function of more modern stocks was important, but I wanted to gain the warmth, feel and beauty of wood.

I looked around and didn't see what I wanted, so I decided to make it myself.

The Process:
- Source curly maple blank
- Carve (rough pass) with router
- Contour and smooth (fine pass) with router
- Cut the inletting (action, bottom metal & barrel channel)
20240813_165930.jpg

20240814_095020.jpg

20240814_222222.jpg

20240814_222236.jpg

20240814_222258.jpg

- Sand... there was a lot of sanding!
20240822_063112.jpg

- Fit recoil pad with belt sander
- Add picatinney rail for bipod (drill and counter sink t-nuts)
- Drop in pillars (checking action/bm fit, alignment & feeding from magazine)
- Epoxy bed action & bottom metal
20240828_183130.jpg

20240829_125147.jpg

- Apply tung oil finish (2 coats cut 1:1 with mineral spirits for deeper penetration, 4 full coats)
20240829_081650.jpg



The Results:
20240830_071943.jpg
 

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#5
AMG04 said:
I have several more blanks on hand, now what to do with them?...
Click to expand...

I have wanted a curly maple prone stock pattered off the Robertson Composite original for years. They have a very thin pistol grip and would need a metal rod in the grip, but man would that stock set my AI Coopermatch off. Anshutz rail stopped 3/4 from the end of the stock, WTC cheek piece and a three way buttplate.

Wood stocks have a different recoil for sure. Much more shuttle and subdued compared to aluminum or even synthetic. As well as a warm feel while shooting them.

Only issue is they are so damn nice nobody want to take them out when there is a chance of weather :)
 
#6
Made it out to do some quick pressure testing. I wanted to see what lighter bullets and faster powder could do from the 14.5.

Ten rounds per bullet/powder combo loaded in 0.4gr increments, shot at 100 yards, same POA.

Start and finish loads of AR-Comp represented below.

125 Speer TNT (cheap paper puncher)
44.4gr @ 2621fps
48.0gr @ 2858fps
20240906_101043.jpg


130 Barnes TTSX (deer & hogs)
41.8gr @ 2574fps
45.4gr @ 2746fps
20240906_102013.jpg


I did not observe pressure signs at the highest charges, but don't see any reason to climb higher.
 
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#8
I have designs to build a similar stock for my Tikka out of a piece of high grade walnut, when I move into my new house. A proper filled grain oil finish would look the tits I think.

Looks great dude.

How much time did it take you? Anything you wish you'd done differently? What too
 
#9
I plan on logging hours on the one I'm about to start. I'm curious.

I should have went to the shop and Trimmed it down with the bandsaw before carving. That would have save a lot of time, but I didn't want to make a 30 miunte drive. Hind sight, 30 minutes would have saved hours...

My wife likes the blonde natural look so I went with that (after all she is supportive of all the money I spend on my hobbies).

I want to start experimenting with dies on the next one. Really bring out the figure and add depth.
 
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#10
That looks fantastic, I'd be scared to get it scratched up at a match.

How much does the wooden stock weigh compared with that carbon stock?
 
#14
AMG04 said:
After 10-12 years of shooting aluminum chassis and stocks made with some sort of composite, I felt it was time to get back to wood.

Maintaining the form, fit, function of more modern stocks was important, but I wanted to gain the warmth, feel and beauty of wood.

I looked around and didn't see what I wanted, so I decided to make it myself.

The Process:
- Source curly maple blank
- Carve (rough pass) with router
- Contour and smooth (fine pass) with router
- Cut the inletting (action, bottom metal & barrel channel)
View attachment 8490717
View attachment 8490722
View attachment 8490728
View attachment 8490729
View attachment 8490730
- Sand... there was a lot of sanding!
View attachment 8490732
- Fit recoil pad with belt sander
- Add picatinney rail for bipod (drill and counter sink t-nuts)
- Drop in pillars (checking action/bm fit, alignment & feeding from magazine)
- Epoxy bed action & bottom metal
View attachment 8490736
View attachment 8490737
- Apply tung oil finish (2 coats cut 1:1 with mineral spirits for deeper penetration, 4 full coats)
View attachment 8490740


The Results:
View attachment 8490714

I have several more blanks on hand, now what to do with them?...

This intimidating piece of maple might become home to a Zermatt Rim X, but I need to find an action first.
View attachment 8491016
Click to expand...
I take it that’s a duplicator in your pics (but different than ones I’ve seen). Do you use it for some commercial work of yours or was this set up just to do this stock?
 
#15
Right now it's just a hobby. Something to keep my mind right after the kids go to bed and on my off days.

I have several hunting and target rifles I plan to make stocks for, then a few 22s for the kids.

I'm in the process of sourcing more stocks to use as templates. I'd like a bunch of styles on hand to suit the purpose of each rifle.
 
#16
AMG04 said:
After 10-12 years of shooting aluminum chassis and stocks made with some sort of composite, I felt it was time to get back to wood.

Maintaining the form, fit, function of more modern stocks was important, but I wanted to gain the warmth, feel and beauty of wood.

I looked around and didn't see what I wanted, so I decided to make it myself.
Click to expand...

Fucking awesome, man! I love it.
 
#19
AMG04 said:
I plan on logging hours on the one I'm about to start. I'm curious.

I should have went to the shop and Trimmed it down with the bandsaw before carving. That would have save a lot of time, but I didn't want to make a 30 miunte drive. Hind sight, 30 minutes would have saved hours...

My wife likes the blonde natural look so I went with that (after all she is supportive of all the money I spend on my hobbies).

I want to start experimenting with dies on the next one. Really bring out the figure and add depth.
Click to expand...
Aqua Fortis
 
#24
ROUND 2 - Compact, Lightweight Hunting Rifle

Origin SA, Competition Bolt with TT Diamond.
PVA, 16" Proof CF 308 Win
Hawkins DBM
Pillar & Epoxy bedded

6lb 6oz as pictured
20241006_153302.jpg

20241006_153414.jpg


First five shots through this one... two sighters at top left corner, followed by a three shot group on the bottom left.

20241025_122250.jpg

Screenshot_20241025_182254_Range Buddy.jpg
 
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#30
You'll have to excuse the saw marks, I didn't bother sanding them out just to test some color combos on scrap wood.

Coffee Brown, Copper (Med Brown / Red), Vintage Maple
20241121_203842.jpg


This one really "dances" in the light.

Black, followed by thinner coats of black. Reminds me of the salt and pepper laminate stocks and would look good against black or stainless barreled actions.
20241122_095917.jpg
 
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#32
I love it and have thought about doing the same.
Closest I have gotten was by complete accident with my Turkish Walnut M70 280 AI...put a 26" Carbon Wrapped Bartlein 8 twist on it and it stacks 180gr Berger VLD's with regularity. The stock actually started out for another more conventional build and the stockmaker sent me pics saying it wouldn't hold checkering so I sent the turned stock back to the wood supplier to inspect. He called me 3 months later and said he found no issue with the wood and had another smith that said he could finish it if wanted. All I had laying around was my 280 AI barreled action so I sent it to him and I was blown away when I got it back.
 

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#33
ROUND 4 - PRS/Competition Rig

Origin SA
Competition Bolt Knob
Proof Comp Contour 223, 26" threaded 5/8x24
M5 Bottom Metal
Triggertech Diamond, Flat

Curly Maple - Adjustable,
Pillar and epoxy bedded

Freebore has the 77gr SMK at 2.390 to touch, and the 80.5gr Bergers at 2.520" while keeping the bearing surface above the neck shoulder junction.

Should be great for PRS tac class with 75 ELDM or 77 SMKs, then you could run the 80.5 or 85.5 Bergers in Open division.

Stock is almost done, I should be able to shoot some groups Friday.

Black with subtle fade to silver to compliment the black action and stainless barrel.

20241211_094019.jpg

20241211_093116.jpg
 
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#35
Jmjuhl said:
I love it and have thought about doing the same.
Closest I have gotten was by complete accident with my Turkish Walnut M70 280 AI...put a 26" Carbon Wrapped Bartlein 8 twist on it and it stacks 180gr Berger VLD's with regularity. The stock actually started out for another more conventional build and the stockmaker sent me pics saying it wouldn't hold checkering so I sent the turned stock back to the wood supplier to inspect. He called me 3 months later and said he found no issue with the wood and had another smith that said he could finish it if wanted. All I had laying around was my 280 AI barreled action so I sent it to him and I was blown away when I got it back.
Click to expand...

Nice wood you got there.
The stock style looks just like Dakota arms.
 
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