Question on mounting a bipod for F-T/R

[mjgillen]

Hi All!

Well, I'm working on my very first build with a Savage Precision Target Action, Criterion .223 barrel, and Savage "F Class" stock all from James at Northland Shooters Supply. Its coming along nicely.

I would like to shoot this in my local F-T/R competition and I need to mount a bipod. The stock, as you can see from the photo, does not have any sling swivels. So I am asking the collective which route to choose?

I bought some sling swivel studs from Brownells and they look like they should work. I would have to drill out the hole and fill with some bedding compound or ??? however that should be doable. I have also seen other stocks with a rail system on the underside of their stocks which looks more versatile. I'm not too handy with woodwork however I could probably do a good enough job on either of these options.

I am just asking those that are shooting F-T/R what THEY would do if they started with a wide flat stock with no holes?

Thanks,
Michael

The studs I bought:


The bottom of the stock:


The build in progress:

 

[dcali]

I would install an Anschutz rail. The vent holes are unfortunately sort of in the way of that, but you could put a short section up front that would probably work. That gets you the ability to mount a bipod without interfering with the smooth bottom for use on a rest.

If you're careful, you can do it with a chisel and some time.

 

[mjgillen]

If I install the swivel stud it will be flush with the stock, nothing protruding. I'll only screw on the swivel to attach my Harris bipod when needed.

I'm liking the Anschutz rail you mentioned. Getting it to fit may be beyond my capabilities however it's a possibility.

 

[Barrel Nut]

Here's what I've done to stocks similar to yours. Get several "T" nuts threaded to match the threads on your sling swivel stud. Also buy a Forstner bit the same diameter as the OD of the T nut. Remove the barreled action and drill with the Forstner bit starting from the top of the stock (under the barrel) just until you have a flat recessed the thickness of the T nut flange, about .060" or .080" if my memory serves.

Then drill a small pilot hole completely through the stock starting in the center of the recess you just made with your Forstner bit. Now, working from the upper side of the stock enlarge the hole to accept the T nut so that when you put it in place it sits low enough not to interfere with the barrel. Adjust the size of the hole from the bottom to accommodate the threaded shank of the sling swivel.
Clean the T nut with solvent, scratch sand it, and put a bit of adhesive on the T nut. Position it in place. Five minute epoxy will be fine.

Now you have an inexpensive, strong, threaded insert which you can use when you need a swivel stud for your bipod. If you want to convert over to shooting from a rest, put in a second T nut about 1.5 or 2 inches aft of the first one.

Your stock looks like the flat forearm will ride a front rest bag well, perhaps with just the addition of some Teflon tape. But if you have a stock with a more rounded forearm you can take a piece of plastic cutting board and cut it the width of your forward rest and about 4 inches long. You can use counter sunk screws to attach it to your stock in place of the swivel stud and have a flat, slick surface which will ride the bag on your front rest quite nicely.

 

[mjgillen]

Thank you Barrel Nut sounds like a great easy inexpensive idea.
I already have a set of Forstner bits, all I need is the T-Nut.

 

[dcali]

If https://www.mcmaster.com/ doesn't have the right T nut, it probably doesn't exist.

 

[Blackthorn]

This is the system I use. It is very solid. I mounted a picatinney rail. I use a Sinclair F-Class bipod along with the Larue Tactical quick detach bipod mount. Works great. I can mount the bipod in various positions and take it on and off quickly.

 

[Ned Ludd]

Here's an easy way to mount a picatinny rail section. You might want to consider what type of mounting bracket comes standard with your bipod of choice, if any. Some require a picatinny mount, some an Anschutz rail, some need sling studs, some can be purchased with more than one type of mounting bracket.

http://www.accu-shot.com/catalog_new/accessories/69-bt17-4-1913-rail.html

http://www.accu-shot.com/catalog_new/accessories/73-bt1517-rail-mounting-fastener-set.html

 

[willbas]

Hi All!

Well, I'm working on my very first build with a Savage Precision Target Action, Criterion .223 barrel, and Savage "F Class" stock all from James at Northland Shooters Supply. Its coming along nicely.

I would like to shoot this in my local F-T/R competition and I need to mount a bipod. The stock, as you can see from the photo, does not have any sling swivels. So I am asking the collective which route to choose?

I bought some sling swivel studs from Brownells and they look like they should work. I would have to drill out the hole and fill with some bedding compound or ??? however that should be doable. I have also seen other stocks with a rail system on the underside of their stocks which looks more versatile. I'm not too handy with woodwork however I could probably do a good enough job on either of these options.

I am just asking those that are shooting F-T/R what THEY would do if they started with a wide flat stock with no holes?

Thanks,
Michael

The studs I bought:
View attachment 1005369

The bottom of the stock:
View attachment 1005370

The build in progress:

View attachment 1005371

When you get that built you will be a high master soon you shoot great at the last match once you got comfortable behind the rifle

 

[mjgillen]

When you get that built you will be a high master soon you shoot great at the last match once you got comfortable behind the rifle

Bill, thanks for your help my first time. Helping me through the process and procedures allowed me to just concentrate on the target. Many thanks. I had a great time and will see you in April.

Michael

 

[boltman13]

The better I/E non Harris bipods work best with either a Anschutz rail or Picatinniney type. Otherwise you are limited pretty much to the Sinclair type system which is better than a Harris but not the best.

 

[mattt]

Just asking why would you use a f/class savage stock for a savage f/tr set up ? I have many different savage target rifles but the f/tr stock is much lighter and has the anshutz rail built in.The f/class stock was made to ride f/class front rest and rear bag as it is straight.

 

[willbas]

could try http://www.tier-one.eu/carbon-fibre-bipod.html it comes with sling stud adapter

 

[mjgillen]

Just asking why would you use a f/class savage stock for a savage f/tr set up ? I have many different savage target rifles but the f/tr stock is much lighter and has the anshutz rail built in.The f/class stock was made to ride f/class front rest and rear bag as it is straight.

I originally got it for Benchrest

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

Strange place to spend your weight allowance budget on. I'd rather spend it on the barrel and save everywhere else.