Drop-in walnut stock project

[sneakboxer]

Its winter and I find myself searching for a project. I have a Rem 700 BDL chambered in 35WAI with a 20in sporter barrel and 1x5 scope, think up close thumper. I feel it "needs" a different stock. It is currently in a used Bell and Carlson Weatherby style stock. The stock is well worn, a little short and could be a touch heaver but the rifle shoots well enough.

I would like to have a walnut stock to finish with a drying oil. Nothing fancy no checkering just a classic working stock finished to a mat/satin with oil. I have refinished a few military stocks and have bedded a few R700s as well. I have not inlet a wooden stock and would prefer not having to do much inletting.

What are your thoughts on an unfinished walnut Boyds Heritage or a Richards micro fit Safari monte carlo in walnut?Is there a different supplier I haven’t stumbled on yet(same price range)? In a perfect world I would only need to sand, bed and finish. Is that possible? Anything else I might be missing?

I appreciate your sage advice,

 

[CCM]

Boyds would be close to a drop in, Richard's is going to take some fitting.
Of the 2, I'd take the microfit, but it will be more work. Inletting really won't be a big deal, you'll want some room for the bedding compound anyways.

 

[CharlieNC]

I just finished my second Richard's. The first was a nice walnut with nice figure and grain. While the action does fit, pillars and or bedding are needed for precision. Hearing many complaints about the effort required for finishing, it was less than I expected. Much nicer, more options, and better wood grades available than a Boyd.

 

[Tod Hendricks]

No experience with Boyd’s, I did a Richards a few years ago, for my skill level I am very happy with it. It’s a 284 that shoots 180 hybrids pretty well.

 

[sneakboxer]

Thanks guys keep the comments coming. The reviews on both companies stocks range from perfect to chewed on by a drunken beaver. I should be a able to handle opening up the barrel channel and hogging out material for a proper pillar and bedding job. I really enjoyed coming home from work and sanding or oiling the last M1 stock I did. It looks and feels much better than what I received from the CMP. I guess I need to make a decision and call on Monday.

 

[Dimner]

I purchased a richards micro fit last summer in walnut. The inletting fit was 99.8% perfect. All I had to do was sand the last 1/2" of the tang area to get the desired look I wanted (the wood was a little high on the sides). So at least on my tikka, the inletting is just as good as can be.

With a popular action like the R700, I would think you would find the same results.

That was the inlet, the rest of the rifle was chunky as can be. At first. I was kinda peeved at how much wood I was going to have to sand to get it to be a sleek sporter. But then, I realized the tooling and rasp marks were so deep that I was thankful for the extra bulk.

All in all it was was a fun project shaping the stock and then sanding. I'd buy one again if I had the need. I'm still finishing my stock. I tried arrow wood finish and I have no experience with a hand rubbed stock finish. I'm not sure if I'm even doing it right. At one point I started back over with the finish. I'm struggling getting the topcoat look I want but also preserving the beauty of the wood without the finish making it opaque.

Soon I'm gonna give up and go to spar urethane or arm-a-seal.

 

[Dimner]

Straight tung oil on my garand was way easier than this arrow wood stuff. But did not care so much about the figure on the garand.

Here is my tikka stock before I went back to 320 and tried it again with the arrow wood.



This go around, I stated at 320. I wet sanded 320 three times. 400 twice, 600 twice, and 800 twice. And then started applying by hand I just have not been able to build any finish with it. Pores are 95% filled. Still not finish is building up. I've been only applying by hand. So I've told my self, I'm doing one very thin coat a night until the end of the month and then going to urethane if I don't like it.

 

[sneakboxer]

Tod and Dimner, if you don't mind me asking what grade wood did you order? Just trying to get an idea, they both look great to me. And if you made it this far with oil id just keep rubbing.
Thanks again

 

[Dimner]

I got the grade A fancy. In my opinion it doesn't have 25% figure like they said it would. I would say more like 15%. The only figure is what you see in the butstock and there is no figure on the other side. But I like the color contrast. I have heard complaints on their grading before. So I bought grade A hoping I atleast would get a semi fancy stock type figure. The pic on richards site of a semi fancy has way more figure than what I received.

I know I could have sent it back and argued the fact, but I was in a yank and trying to get the rifle put together for hunting season, so I just went with it.

I'll give them the benefit of the doubt and wonder if they grade the blank before they mill and inlet it. Therefore some of the figure gets milled out. Kinda like ordering a steak and they say net weight before cooking.

Next time I'll just leave more time in my build schedule for an exchange if the stock isn't figured enough

 

[Southwest Action Works]

Boyd's stocks are nice, but I believe you'll be much happier with a Richard's. It's an awesome family-owned business. I've been purchasing from them for 25 years, and my old man has likely been doing business with them for close to 40 years, if not longer. It's a shame they've stopped selling blanks; they had some of the nicest Claro walnut for the price I've ever seen. I recommend spending the extra $100 to get the AAA grade, or $200 for the exhibition grade—you won't regret it. When you receive it, if you're interested, shoot me a PM, and I'll give you my never-fail satin finish.

 

[Kurz]

For the very best rifle stock blanks there is really only one supplier:

Cecil Fredi:

https://www.gunstockblanks.com/

A tour of his stock selections: