Inletting a Composite Stock

[MoneyWaster]

I'm looking at various benchrest stocks to use with a Remington 700 that is currently sitting in a HS Precision stock. I like shooting at paper targets, and I think that changing stocks will allow me to get tighter groups at the range. The following three stocks are currently in contention:

Kelby's BR FB: http://www.kelbly.com/kelblysix.html

Stiller's SG&Y BRX: http://www.viperactions.com/stocks.htm

McMillan Edge:

http://www.6mmbr.com/catalog/item/1334860/802924.htm

I am an accomplished woodworker and have a garage full of tools. I've done my fair share of jig making, and feel comfortable taking a stock to a core box bit on a router table. However, I've never inletted a stock before, and I'm a bit nervous about butchering a $350.00 piece of glass fiber and epoxy.

Can anyone out there share their experiences doing inletting work to one of these stocks? Also, if you have not done inletting work on these stocks but have personal experience with them otherwise, I'd love to hear your opinions. If you have pictures of you work, I'd like to see them.

Thanks.

 

[Eddie Harren]

The stocks, that you have mentioned, are all available already inletted for a Rem action. The work, that you will hve to do, is minimal.

 

[butchlambert]

Listen to Eddie. He knows what he is talking about.
Butch

 

[MoneyWaster]

Sounds like you don't recommend doing it yourself. That's good to know. I'll just save up a couple hundred more before purchasing. I don't want to waste my money.

I'm still interesting in opinions on the stocks mentioned. Can anyone shere their experiences with these stocks?

Thanks.

 

[Preacher]

No different than working on a wood stock.
As mentioned they are usually pretty much a drop in, but if you need to open the barrel channel for a larger diameter barrel, then have right at it with your core box bit.
The worst that can happen is you'll break into the core and it will need filled.....
A properly bedded stock will be more accurate than a high dollar stock thats not.....

 

[MoneyWaster]

Hm, now that makes it a bit more interesting. Thanks for jumping in there Preacher.

Anyone else want to make an argument one way or another?

 

[Preacher]

Hogging out a barrel channel on a Manners stock..

 

[MoneyWaster]

Preacher,

Thanks for the pic. Looks like you went with the drill press over a router in a table. Any particular reason why?

You're motivating me to make a call to order a stock. Don't make me do it.

 

[Preacher]

Thats my old milling machine I'm using, it just happens to have a drill chuck in it.
I also have a router table and a drill press but the mill is easier for me..
Pretty hard on a drill press to make long cuts, and it's rough on the bearings..
If I didn't have the mill I would make a jig for the router and have right at it....
Just take small amounts off at at a time and you'll do good..
Go ahead and order it, you know you want to :thumb:

 

[MoneyWaster]

OK Preacher, you talked me into it.

Actually, I just tried to call Kelby's and got their phone answering service. Apparently they stop answering the phone at 3:30 PM eastern time. I'm out on the west coast, so I waited too long. I'll try again tomorrow.