Arca Rail on Cheap Stock

[lazyMlazyK]

I'm picking up this cheap aluminum ARCA rail from Amazon, going to find a way to bolt it to my cheap T/C Compass plastic stock to make use of my best bipod. Has anyone here done this before? I'd also like to have the option of an ARCA rail on my Win. 70 WinTuff laminate stock, but can't bring myself to drill into it.

Yes, I'm being cheap here. I know there are chassis options for the Compass, but for now I'm saving up for another project. Trying to make do with what I've got - mostly on hand, besides the rail above.

 

[farmerjohn]

Tag

 

[284driver]

tee nuts on the interior of your stock. 2 10x32 tees and bolts would be more than sufficient. I did a bergara bmr stock like that recently. once i seated the tee nuts, I mixed up some jb weld, threaded a long 10x32 bolt ( covered with release agent) through the nut and let it stick up above the barrel channel and jb welded the tee nut in place.

 

[284driver]

Also, before you start, lay your rail on the stock and mark desired hole locations. drill the holes with a small drill bit all the way through. then, with a paddle bit, slightly larger than the tee nut, start drilling the barrel channel side out where the tee nut will install. After reaching what you think is the desired depth, drill the pilot hole out to the diameter of the female portion of the tee nut. Drive it in place with a punch. jb weld if you desire, and you are good to go.
Pro tip for centering your rail:
put a string through the action screw hole. run the string along the forend (externally) and back through the sling swivel stud hole. pull it tight and you should have a fairly centered pilot line to center your tee nut holes.

 

[markT]

Made in “Chin ner.”

 

[lazyMlazyK]

Thanks for the tips, @248driver! I was wondering about alignment too. Any pics of how yours turned out?

 

[284driver]

I can probably throw a couple up tomorrow evening.

 

[uncle fester]

If you like it, maybe try bedding it to the stock?

 

[209jones]

I'd likely bed it on the outside of the stock with some steel bed epoxy to take some stress off the screws, won't make any difference in looks anyway, and it is insurance if you are banging the gun down on a bipod.

 

[lazyMlazyK]

Well, I got the Arca rail put on the T/C Compass factory stock. Used a couple small screws, washers, and nylok nuts. Turned out alot better than I thought it would! Now I just need to get the sling stuff swivel put back in or move it somewhere else on the forearm...that's my only hang up now, but shouldn't be a big deal.