Best way to deep drill McMillan stock for weights.

[tclaunch]

I see where you can get 16" paddle bits from McMaster Carr. I was about to order then I thought I`d ask here if there is a better cleaner method of drilling the foam core of a McMillan stock, thanks.

 

[ridgeway]

Once you break into the foam... You really can't drill it clean. It just breaks appart. For cleaner holes, a forstner bit is what you want. To get deep, make an extension out of drill rod or something.

 

[jkohler]

How much weight are you looking at adding. I’ve had to remove pretty much all of it in a MBR to get somewhere in the 3.5 pounds of lead shot capped off with epoxy.

 

[hammerjack]

I use are regular 1'' steel bit with .5'' shank with extension welded on. You can face off a peice of rod in your lathe then chuck up the drill bit in head stock and dial in and hold rod in tail stock, slide together an tac weld. Take out and finish weld. Cover up ways on lathe when tac welding. This will make a pretty straight long drill bit.

 

[moondog]

If you can cast a spacer for your butt plate, it takes less weight to balance it. I used particle board as a mould. Didn't burn at all.
I wrapped the lead with plastic wrap.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Wallow it out then install a pvc liner

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Then you can refoam it around the pvc. You can pour molten lead in that if you do about an inch at a time then cool

 

[hammerjack]

Use the drill bit in a 2x4 how every long you want the weight. Pour lead in it let cool and bust out of 2x4 with chisel ; then clean up as needed.
Test fit with a little room add a little caulk to both ends for a cushion reattach butt plate.

 

[JFrank]

Use the drill bit in a 2x4 how every long you want the weight. Pour lead in it let cool and bust out of 2x4 with chisel ; then clean up as needed.
Test fit with a little room add a little caulk to both ends for a cushion reattach butt plate.

That’s a very smart way to go about this , you drill the end of the 2x4 as you say any length you want easy to split later and retrieve your lead.

 

[tclaunch]

Thanks for the genius replies, truly. I have my weights done, made from 5/8" ID copper tubing and 1 with 1" OD thinwall stainless that is the heaviest. I have used the heavier one and it took off the aluminum butt plate Heli coils and all, as it is over 2 pounds. I think maybe securing the heavier weight to the butt plate may cure that problem, please correct me if I`m going down a dark path. My rifle with straight taper barrel is just over 17 pounds and want to weight it up to 21 pounds for F-Class rules. It is a McMillan MBR Shehane Tracker. I will visit McMaster Carr for the Forstner Bits and extensions.

 

[jkohler]

You can get those extension at about any hardware store. I’ve used copper tube to bore a hole in the foam as well. Just cut some serrations on the end of it.

 

[ridgeway]

You can get those extension at about any hardware store. I’ve used copper tube to bore a hole in the foam as well. Just cut some serrations on the end of it.

If they are hex shank... Shouldn't be a problem. Forstner usually come in a straight shank. If it's straight, make an extension. Drill/ream one side and tap for a set screw to lock. Turn other end if need be to fit drill. Many other ways too...shrink fit, silver solder, pin it. Get creative, lol

 

[PatMiles]

Wallow it out then install a pvc liner

Wallow? That's akin to hog it out?

 

[tclaunch]

Wallow? That's akin to hog it out?

Hey, he even spelled it right. Waller is mostly used around here...lol

 

[Dusty Stevens]

He knows