Do it yourself Stock making thread

[joshb]

I’ve been getting some time off so I’m back in the shop trying to reacquaint myself with my tools. It’s been a while and I’m rusty.
Years ago, I had a bunch of barrels cut by Bob Green for a Kodiak action. I was friskier then and did the switch-barrel thing. I made a rather heavy stock for it out of Epe in the Tikka Master Sporter style. Wanting something lighter and different, I took a 40x stock I had duplicated out of Mohagany and “adjusted” it to hold a new Kodiak action I found on the Sale board. In retrospect, I should have started from scratch and avoided adding extra pieces. The finished stock is functional, at least. As usual, sanded to 1000 with an Arrowood oil finish.
Kodiak RBLP Hunter configuration with a Lederer 6br .269 neck throated for Berger 105s. The bolt is at Kelbly’s getting an ejector installed. Ya gotta like quality customs, where parts are interchangeable. I’ll use the bolt from my other Kodiak while I wait.

 

[joshb]

Next up in my “to do” list was to install an Atlasworks bottom metal for AICS magazines on a Tikka 223 I put together a few years ago. It perturbs me that the idiot engineers can’t make these things match the factory dimensions. It was a red hair bigger than the factory piece in the front so I used a sanding drum on a Dremel to open up the stock cut. The back end is smaller than the factory. A different stock would need to be filled.
I’m thinking about starting a bottom metal company!

 

[ClayM]

You're just lucky that red hair wasn't curly!!!...(or maybe it was...)

 

[Gabe22BR]

Looks good to me- if functioning properly- why screw w/ it !!!

 

[joshb]

Started another 40x copy. This one gets a Sportco action barreled in 6 Dasher. Continuing my mental break down, I drilled the pillar holes in the wrong locations! I measured 3 15/16” and marked 2 15/16” from the tang. Where’s my plug cutter? If this continues, I’m gonna hang up my apron.

 

[Gabe22BR]

Well…

We all have those days !!!

 

[Gabe22BR]

I use-O-rings for the barrel channel alignment
I bedded my action here - fix’n to bust it out and see how bad it looks

 

[joshb]

Finished the 40x copy in Mohagany. Last year, I bought a Sportco actioned 6 Dasher in a prone stock. I didn’t like the Mastin stock so I sold it. This will ride the bags better. I moved the action forward 1/2”, then cut the stock for a 13 1/2” pull. Didn’t feel right for my longer arms. I usually make my stocks to fit “everybody”. I added an inch back onto the stock and it feels better. Arrowood oil for the finish.

 

[Skattergun]

Just finishing up a Browning a bolt for a friend of mine, definitely better stuff to build off of but this was what he wanted. It’s turning out nice!

 

[joshb]

Just finishing up a Browning a bolt for a friend of mine, definitely better stuff to build off of but this was what he wanted. It’s turning out nice!

That looks outstanding! Very nice job. Gorgeous piece of wood!
You should try a KMW cheek piece hardware kit. It’s all I use. One hole adjustment screw. Very strong.

 

[CCM]

Here's a set for a Ruger No.1, they're off getting checkered now. Carvings came from Treebone. They're 1/4 sawn Claro.

 

[joshb]

Just finishing a stock for @hogpatrol . Dale chambered a barrel for me and dropped off a blank so I could make him a stock. It should be ready for him when he gets back from the Dark Continent.

 

[COLT45SA]

I'm "REALLY" impressed by the talent some of these guys show. I've got some blanks, but I'm completely lacking in the "talent"~!

 

[Twdmar]

I'm "REALLY" impressed by the talent some of these guys show. I've got some blanks, but I'm completely lacking in the "talent"~!

Talent is probably not really a necessity. Experience and discipline are more important. Make one of your blanks into a stock but give yourself some slack if it's not perfect. Your second one will be better and subsequent ones even better. It's just a piece of wood after all.

 

[joshb]

Talent is probably not really a necessity. Experience and discipline are more important. Make one of your blanks into a stock but give yourself some slack if it's not perfect. Your second one will be better and subsequent ones even better. It's just a piece of wood after all.

I’ll add “dogged determination “ to that, to overcome the fear of screwing up! I still get some of the willies when doing a stock, especially with a nice blank.

 

[hogpatrol]

Just finishing a stock for @hogpatrol . Dale chambered a barrel for me and dropped off a blank so I could make him a stock. It should be ready for him when he gets back from the Dark Continent.
View attachment 1462186View attachment 1462187

Nice!

 

[Bc'z]

Just finishing a stock for @hogpatrol . Dale chambered a barrel for me and dropped off a blank so I could make him a stock. It should be ready for him when he gets back from the Dark Continent.
View attachment 1462186

Beautiful work, you make it look easy!

 

[joshb]

Nice!

Dale! Are you back or are you sitting in a tent on the Serengeti?

 

[Twdmar]

I’ll add “dogged determination “ to that, to overcome the fear of screwing up! I still get some of the willies when doing a stock, especially with a nice blank.

I was once told that it's not how good you but how good you are at fixing your mistakes, because everyone makes one some time.
But I know exactly what you're saying about the first cut apprehension.

 

[joshb]

It’s making the last cut wrong that scares me the most!