Bulk fill resin/epoxy?

[LVLAaron]

I've got this HS stock built for a Savage. Sold the action. But I love the stock. I have a lefty single shot I want to put in it.

What would you fill it with? I could just dump a half pound of devcon in it and then make it how I want.. but I'm curious if there's some other fill/resin that I don't know about I could use for the job.

 

[joshb]

Being a wood guy, I’d cut a block of lite wood and epoxy it in place. Then fill over it.
You’re a lefty?

 

[p-man]

You would regret dumping a half-pound of resin in that.
1st choice would be open-cell expanding foam about 8-lb grade (per cubic foot)
2nd choice would be either fiberglass or epoxy resin thickened to a paste consistency with micro-hollow spheres which would make the lightest weight liquid fill (other than foam) that you could get

PM me if you need more detailed info

 

[muleystalker]

Balsa wood with epoxy thickened with fiberglass flocking.

 

[Jonnyofalltrades]

I'd foam it. I've come to prefer that over the micro-balloon body filler putty.

 

[AlNyhus]

That's one of those seemingly simple jobs that's not so simple when you get into it.

You want the fill to be stable...that's the main thing. Most epoxies aren't designed for deep pour thicknesses and will shrink excessively. I make a stuffer block and epoxy that into the mag well followed by a fill coat of thin epoxy that gets into all the voids and cracks. If I need to bring the top up, I'll do a pre-bed followed by the actual bedding.

Depending on the mag well dimensions, aluminum square tubing (epoxy a piece of aluminum in each end to close it) or some G10 (garolite) square stock works well. Both ways are very stable and don't add excessive weight. On the last one, I used some scrap carbon fiber panel (3/16" thick), cut pieces to shape and epoxied them together to make a stuffer block. Worked great.

The G10 is nice. If you need to do a lot of shaping it gets messy...the epoxy between the layers likes to get gummy from the heat when you mill it.

Let me know what size the mag well is...might have some G10 that will work.

 

[LVLAaron]

An aluminum block shaped to fit is probably the best plan for me. As an F-Class gun it only weighed 16 pounds and was pretty light on the heel with a 30 inch barrel hanging out there.

 

[AlNyhus]

An aluminum block shaped to fit is probably the best plan for me. As an F-Class gun it only weighed 16 pounds and was pretty light on the heel with a 30 inch barrel hanging out there.

If it's nose heavy, a light fill in the mag well and a weight tube system in the butt would be helpful with the balance.

Proper gun balance can turn a good gun into a Record Holder....ask @jimmymac

 

[jimmymac]

Proper gun balance can turn a good gun into a Record Holder....ask @jimmymac

Even a blind squirrel occasionally finds a nut. You are spot on though Al. A well balanced gun is a lot easier to shoot consistently.

 

[ggshoots]

I have used this stuff a lot latey. It seems to be very strong, no noticable shrinkage and fairly eaasy to work with. It is light weight so if I want to add weight I can embed something in it. I actually saw it at Menards if you have one of those around.

 

[LVLAaron]

I'll be like Al and whittle some aluminum block to fit... and cover it with JB weld to texture the surface

 

[Bc'z]

3M panel bonder is my go to.
6000# tinsel strength air dry 3000 if forced dry.
Another product I'm looking at trying is Fusor 133 plastic repair material

 

[Seagull]

I would mill an Ali block insert and either use gflex or use devcon to hold in I place. But there are also some good marine epoxies you could use aswell to fill the stock . Have a look at products from international

 

[shoobe01]

I'd foam it. I've come to prefer that over the micro-balloon body filler putty.

What foams? Honestly, not sure what you mean and always interested in new ideas.

Epoxy wise, I'm a West System guy, so here probably get out the gallon of 105/205, and the jar of microballoons, or maybe if big enough get a West filler additive, or cut a block of scrap PS (and feather it on the bandsaw to assure adhesion) to fill the center.

 

[Jonnyofalltrades]

I use spray bomb foam for things like that.
Trim after it hardens, then a layer of epoxy overtop with plenty of floc. Some brands/types are firmer than others. Window/door stuff is mushy.
Admittedly, I have mostly used it for filling barrel channels on Tupperware stocks, then epoxy overtop.
I had the privilege of touring H-S a few years ago, and the guy running one of the molds shot some of the filler foam into a container so I could see it cure. Exceptionally firm, light stuff.

 

[TaperPin]

Does a solid chunk of aluminum expand/contract at the same rate as the rest of the stock construction around the action? IDK. Even .0001” of extra pressure in the middle of the action on a hot day would seem to be no good.

I’m chicken and default to fill that’s soft like foam.

 

[Walt Krafft]

A chunk of common 2x4 to fill the bulk of the area. It will be completely sealed up by epoxy so future expansion contraction will be nill. Alternative for me would be a chunk of stock laminate.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

West system epoxy mixed with glass balloons until its thick like peanut butter. You can also use chopped glass if you dont mind the weight and want more strength. Its how McMillan does it, seems to work

 

[LVLAaron]

Does a solid chunk of aluminum expand/contract at the same rate as the rest of the stock construction around the action? IDK. Even .0001” of extra pressure in the middle of the action on a hot day would seem to be no good.

I’m chicken and default to fill that’s soft like foam.

Dunno on that one. Lots of stocks made of wood. Lots made with resin cores. Lots made of aluminum.

 

[LVLAaron]

West system epoxy mixed with glass balloons until its thick like peanut butter. You can also use chopped glass if you dont mind the weight and want more strength. Its how McMillan does it, seems to work

That's what I was wanting to hear. I was typing "what does mcmillan use" the same time you were posting. Thanks!