Thinking about a Laminate Stock

[HuntClub]

for my Tikka T3 7mm08. Saw Boyd's and the price was surprisingly lower than I expected. Looking at the dark greyish color/style - and it would be used to hunt with. BUT, no experience with laminate stocks:
- are they worth the trouble or will i need to do some work to weatherproof barrel channel, etc?
- is there a few companies i should review before deciding?

Any help with this greatly appreciated. BTW, I'm in no rush as I want to ensure i make the right decision the first time (this time)

Thanks!

 

[Bill K]

Most of them like Boyd's and other's will most often just allow your action to drop right into. You can add to the bedding by doing a bedding job, if you want. I think most don't. And if there is some inletting to be done, it is usually very minor, in spots.
That greyish color is nice, I have one in it on a 17 hmr CZ457.

 

[CharlieNC]

I've had several Boyds. While they are a drop in, at a minimum I have always added pillars to assure torque retention and stability. Takes 30min to drill out the action screw holes and screw in threaded lamp rod or brass plumbing fittings. While the stock has a nice PU finish it would be wise to add more to the inside for weathering. Currently I use one on my Fclass rifle because I wanted to custom fit to suit myself, and it has performed just as well as the high dollar stocks previously used; meaning it wins matches too! Boyds is a great value, quality stock.

 

[LHSmith]

Got a Boyd's laminate in gray/black, bedded it with Marine-Tex, and very happy with it, very minimal dremel work was required. You have to be sure of what options you want....the price can quickly get up there if you add a better recoil pad, checkering,etc. plus shipping. Thinking of doing another restock, but when I add up my options cost, I am darn near a respectable composite stock price like a Bell & Carlson-which I believe has pillars.
Other names in the laminate game are: Stocky's, Richards Microfit, and Gunstocks Inc.

 

[watercam]

I have hunted and shot competitively with laminate stocks for over 30 yrs. I have the odd walnut unit (well sealed) but I do like the lams. They are glued together and compressed under tons of pressure so it would take a lot to have a problem. Boyd's finish is very tough and they know what they are doing. If weight is an issue you can mill/carve out material under the barrel, within the pistol grip and in the butt stock with no problems (within reason of course).
If you are the do-it-yourself type there is always Richards Micro-fit but that involves a fair amount of finish work to get them working properly. I have done half a dozen or more and they are very tough as well.
Have fun!

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Boyds will fit your bill just fine. No need in weatherproofing the barrel channel unless you modify it

 

[Spike A]

I think the Boyd’s will fit your bill.. I have/had several... they are nice... only think I will say is while they should be drop in some times they are and sometimes not.. my first issue was after a couple of times in and out of one I had action screw torque issues so I bedded and glass bedded now it’s great... I wouldn’t hesitate to get another ...

 

[Seagull]

Pillars and bedding will in any timber stock as the timber wnt compress when doing up once pillars are in. Make shore pillars have ribs or grooves in them on the outside so epoxy has something to hold onto other wise smooth pillars can work loose under recoil.

 

[NZ_Fclass]

Spend a bit more and look at a GRS from Norway. Great qualty and finish.

 

[Knotwild]

If weight is a consideration, compare the laminate with a composite. I have a Boyd's I put on a Remington 783 and it is heavy plus it needs pillars.

 

[Texas10]

Revolution is one of the biggest stock makers, and sold by multiple online stores.

Revolution™ Products - Keystone Sporting Arms, LLC

www.keystonesportingarmsllc.com

USA Rifle Stocks - Revolution Aftermarket Stocks

Premium Aftermarket Gunstocks: Chipmunk, Crickett, Remington, Savage, Ruger, Winchester, Weatherby, KSA Model 722

www.usariflestocks.com

Gunstock Gallery Colors, Shapes, Engravings | Boyds Hardwood Gunstocks

Stocks offered in a variety of colors, shapes, finishes and special etchings. Browse through images to help you choose the best options for your gun.

www.boydsgunstocks.com

https://www.eabco.com/revolution_stocks.htm

Revolution Custom Stock Sets

Before we continue

 

[cotntop]

Got mine from Stocky's Stocks. Can't remember the brand but it has the aluminum bedding block.

 

[D-4297]

Unless you have some pretty good craftsman skills with wood-working , and excellent Dremel experience , and understand the "How-to" , I would avoid the Richards Micro-fit stocks . I built a custom Open rifle using one of their stocks , and though the in-letting was very acceptable , there was a massive amount of "finish" work involved in doing the pillar and full bedding work to arrive at a "Match-grade" stock . Along with sanding , and sanding , and more sanding ... Not saying anything negative about them , as their quality of product was good . You just have a lot of finishing to do to get them "better" .

 

[Brians356]

Spend a bit more and look at a GRS from Norway. Great qualty and finish.

Those look nice. Unfortunately, under "Sako" they don't support my little old Vixen. ;-(
-

 

[Texas10]

Richards Micro Fit stocks are anything but plug and play. Looking like they were carved by an angry beaver, there will be a lot of personal fitting, pillaring, bedding, sanding and sanding and more sanding before finally ready for finishing, which requires more hours spent.

I bought an electric palm sander to help with the sanding and shaved many hours off the job. In the end it was well worth it though, and I got many a "pose for picture" requests at the local public range.

 

[Seagull]

Depend on what style of shooting you do as to what stock to buy. If your shooting ftr like here in Australia think about your barreled action weight plus scope and joypod. K let me say this a grs stock a v block in for a barnard action a stock weighs 2.2kgs , joypod 500 grams which leaves 5.55 kgs that's not much considering a heavy varmint 30in barrel will weigh about 3 kgs. A barnard action and bolt will weigh 1.6kgs and the average scope weighs roughly 1kg . That will put you over weight . So you need to work out what your barreled acrion and scope weighs to figure out your maximum stock weight can be to suite the class of shooting your in. But hey that's just my line of thinking .

 

[LarryDScott]

One thing about Boyd's, and this may have changed, you can specify a VARMINT barrel channel, but what you get will be a sporter channel. At the time of my purchases they didn't produce the bigger barrel channel, but they didn't acknowledge that fact on their web site. LDS

 

[Bill K]

If you check out Boyd's website you will find, they now add all sorts of accessories and service now, for added cost, like pillar bedding, etc. Just depends of what you want to spend and want you may want too do when you receive the basic stock for your rifle. Regardless Boyd's is a reasonably price stock to start and work with in a laminated version.

 

[Old Tanker]

I just put a Boyds on my Tikka .308. Fit was perfect. I bought it with pillars. Gunsmith was so impressed with the fit that he recommended shooting it a few times before diving into bedding.

 

[Bill K]

I have several Boyd's, one of which is like the Pepper laminate you have here. Nice looking set up there.