Best way to add weight to your rear stock
- Thread starter DennisH
- Start date
i believe sinclair or someone carries a weight stick to insert into the butt stock...i personally did what you are doing. i pulled the butt plate and drilled two holes and then filled with #9 lead bird shot. only thing i would have done different is i should have drilled the larger hole towards the bottom and the smaller one above it...this way it would have given the stock a lower center of gravity
My preference is driling a hole, using lead shot and pouring epoxy into the hole / lead shot to stabilize it.
2 lbs is a lot of weight. How do you know how much weight to add? My approach is to cast butt plate shims of different thicknesses using wheel weight lead. For example, a quarter inch thick lead shim weighs roughly 8 oz. Makes it easy to adjust the amount of weight to your liking. You have to temporarily put up with a slightly longer LOP. Once you determine how much weight to settle for, remove the shim and epoxy an equivalent amount of birdshot into the hole.
I tried the lead shot and epoxy deal, and didn't like the rattling that resulted, and wanted more lead. I wanted to pour molten lead in, but was afraid I'd ruin the stock.
After you've drilled a hole(s) into your stock, make a mold by taking two pieces of wood at least a little longer than the hole(s) you just drilled, clamp them together. Take the same drill bit and drill down into your mold, centering your hole(s) along the seam. Drill the hole(s) in your mold the same depth (or a little longer) as you did into your stock. Pour molten lead into hole(s). Let it cool, unclamp the wood and separate the pieces.
You now have a lead plug(s), roughly the size of the hole(s) in your stock. Pound the lead plug(s) into your stock.
2 pounds is a lot of lead. Your holes will need to be wide and deep. Be careful drilling your holes!
-nosualc
After you've drilled a hole(s) into your stock, make a mold by taking two pieces of wood at least a little longer than the hole(s) you just drilled, clamp them together. Take the same drill bit and drill down into your mold, centering your hole(s) along the seam. Drill the hole(s) in your mold the same depth (or a little longer) as you did into your stock. Pour molten lead into hole(s). Let it cool, unclamp the wood and separate the pieces.
You now have a lead plug(s), roughly the size of the hole(s) in your stock. Pound the lead plug(s) into your stock.
2 pounds is a lot of lead. Your holes will need to be wide and deep. Be careful drilling your holes!
-nosualc
Alex Wheeler
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Get a length of 1 1/4 heavy wall aluminum tube. Melt some lead and pour it in. It will come out about 1'' in diameter. Get a paddle bit, grind it to give you a hole that is a slip fit for the lead rod. The lead rod weights about 1lb. per 3 inches. Drill hole 6 inches deep, cut lead rod a hair long and file it flush to the end of the stock.
DennisH said:
Dennis,
If I understand correctly, your rifle is 2 lbs under a weight limit rule. Although it may be an advantage to add SOME weight somewhere for better (bag riding ?), it might be worth considering that too much weight in the wrong place could make things worse. Why not do some experimenting before doing something permanent?
I have seen some pictures of rifles with elastic (or Velcro) ancle/wrist weights placed on the butt stock. These weights can be found in the weight training department at sporting goods stores. Its just a thought but maybe these could allow you to do some testing before making a permanent modification to your rifle.
Consider using "Duct Seal" in place of epoxy. Depending on the size of the hole(s), you can use shot, or lead bullet cores, or rimfire bullets.
The advantage of duct seal over epoxy is that it is more easily removed....just use a smaller drill bit than the size of the hole or scoop it out with a tool. Duct seal is a heavy, mallable compound, that never hardens and stays fairly tacky to the touch. It will not move if tamped in place, and has a dampening effect in addition to adding the weight. You simply press it flat, then add the shot or whatever, then knead and roll the material (like making bread dough)into a cylinder shape that will fit into the hole in your stock. Place small lengths, then tamp it with a dowell rod, then add another small length, then tamp again....keep going until you have it totally compacted and filled the hole. Be sure to add enough to contact the inside aspect of the butt plate.
Jack
The advantage of duct seal over epoxy is that it is more easily removed....just use a smaller drill bit than the size of the hole or scoop it out with a tool. Duct seal is a heavy, mallable compound, that never hardens and stays fairly tacky to the touch. It will not move if tamped in place, and has a dampening effect in addition to adding the weight. You simply press it flat, then add the shot or whatever, then knead and roll the material (like making bread dough)into a cylinder shape that will fit into the hole in your stock. Place small lengths, then tamp it with a dowell rod, then add another small length, then tamp again....keep going until you have it totally compacted and filled the hole. Be sure to add enough to contact the inside aspect of the butt plate.
Jack
DennisH
Life Time NRA member
I guess the home supply stores have the above!
I also heard "Plumbers Lead" will workl I personally have not heard of it, but it should be in the same sores.
What department should I find the aluminum tube and most of all, where do I find the LEAD! Drilling and filling shouldn't be a problem, it it's too much, you can drill the amount out you need to, fill the hole with expoxy.
What's the best drill bit to use?
gmorganal....lowes or home depot. Go to the electrical section. The stuff is used to seal the hole for electrical lines and cables as they enter/exit the home. It comes in 1 to 2 pound "bricks", and is very inexpensive.
DennisH....be careful with a paddle bit if the stock is wood. It WILL work, but if you are not careful, it may buck and split the wood. If you are not that handy, consider an auger-style bit.
Nodak....the window seal "rope" that I have used has hardened over time. This duct seal does not harden, and is a heavier compound itself. Maybe you and I were simply using different products??
Jack
DennisH....be careful with a paddle bit if the stock is wood. It WILL work, but if you are not careful, it may buck and split the wood. If you are not that handy, consider an auger-style bit.
Nodak....the window seal "rope" that I have used has hardened over time. This duct seal does not harden, and is a heavier compound itself. Maybe you and I were simply using different products??
Jack
A stainless butt plate, of whatever thickness, makes a good weight and is also a good way to attach additional weight that can go inside the butt stock without all the gooey stuff or lead shot. With some care it can be made to look very nice.
2lbs. is a lot to get from just a weight inside the stock, but if money isn't a big concern, tungsten works well.
2lbs. is a lot to get from just a weight inside the stock, but if money isn't a big concern, tungsten works well.
Where to find lead?
Just throwing out a couple of ideas.
The cheapest would be used wheel weights that you could buy from a tire store.
If you want precast lead to slip into a hole, consider buying a box of five 12 ga slug ammo and use the slugs. It might even be possible to drill a small hole in the center of the slug and screw it into place.
Just thinking out loud.
Just throwing out a couple of ideas.
The cheapest would be used wheel weights that you could buy from a tire store.
If you want precast lead to slip into a hole, consider buying a box of five 12 ga slug ammo and use the slugs. It might even be possible to drill a small hole in the center of the slug and screw it into place.
Just thinking out loud.
Nodak7mm
Team Lefse
Bugman,
Lol, last fall I needed some compound to do exactly what you speak of, sealant of a pipe thru the house wall, just used rope caulk thinking it was the same.. See? Ya learn something everyday on this sight.
Gmorganal,
Could always buy a box of shotgun shells and disect the shell for an oz of lead per shell. Box of game load #6-8 shot is about 5-6$..
Nodak
Lol, last fall I needed some compound to do exactly what you speak of, sealant of a pipe thru the house wall, just used rope caulk thinking it was the same.. See? Ya learn something everyday on this sight.
Gmorganal,
Could always buy a box of shotgun shells and disect the shell for an oz of lead per shell. Box of game load #6-8 shot is about 5-6$..
Nodak
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