Recent experiences with Richards Microfit, Boyds, et al...

[Adam in WI]

Anyone with experiences with Boyds and Richards lately? I'm thinking of doing a fancy maple stock for a Winchester model 70. Are there any other good (and reasonable) options? I'd like checkering, which Boyds offers. But Richards has more (and I'm assuming higher?) wood grades listed. Boyds has an option for fore end tip and grip cap, but they're polymer. Richards lists an ebony tip and cap. I might be able to live without checkering if I get a better grade of wood and actual ebony. I'm sure the Boyd is closer to a drop in fit, but I'm not shy about doing a little fitting if Richard's has way better wood. Major reshaping may be a line I'm not willing to cross, though.

Thoughts?

 

[Sniperhandle]

Richards stocks are great, They do need more fitting etc. than say a Boyds, But I really like them. They have better shapes that I like. I don't know about their fancy woods because I have gotten their laminates. It will turn out nice when you are done if you take your time.

 

[CCM]

I wouldn't use Boyds if high grade is what you're after.

 

[Adam in WI]

I wouldn't use Boyds if high grade is what you're after.

They seem to be the compromise option, in my mind. I might not get as good of wood, but it'll be ready to go without much headache. My hangup is wether or not I can actually live without checkering. Boyds has some nice designs that don't add a ridiculous amount of money.

 

[CCM]

They seem to be the compromise option, in my mind. I might not get as good of wood, but it'll be ready to go without much headache. My hangup is wether or not I can actually live without checkering. Boyds has some nice designs that don't add a ridiculous amount of money.

Ya, hand checkering is expensive. But if you are looking for high grade Maple, do you really want laser cut checkering and plastic finish?

 

[Dimner]

This is my Richard's microfit when it was all said and done. This is a Tikka. Inletting really was about 99%. all I had to do was open the barrel channel to my preferred size and there was a little thickness around the tang I tweaked.

As far as the shape ... You will sand sand sand. And I didn't mind that. It's fun and rewarding to watch it come together. Just realize that you are going to sand a whole heck of a lot on 80 or 100 grit to get all the machine marks (more like gouges).

I ordered grade A fancy. I was not all that pleased at first as there is little to no figure to this stock, however the color contrasting go along the grad A fancy definition. I'd probably go semi fancy next time and save some money. I was tempted to return it and demand something with figure like I expected (and their pics show) but I was antsy to start my project. 2 years later and I have no regrets.

 

[Riesel]

This is my Richard's microfit when it was all said and done. This is a Tikka. Inletting really was about 99%. all I had to do was open the barrel channel to my preferred size and there was a little thickness around the tang I tweaked.

As far as the shape ... You will sand sand sand. And I didn't mind that. It's fun and rewarding to watch it come together. Just realize that you are going to sand a whole heck of a lot on 80 or 100 grit to get all the machine marks (more like gouges).

I ordered grade A fancy. I was not all that pleased at first as there is little to no figure to this stock, however the color contrasting go along the grad A fancy definition. I'd probably go semi fancy next time and save some money. I was tempted to return it and demand something with figure like I expected (and their pics show) but I was antsy to start my project. 2 years later and I have no regrets.

View attachment 1602230View attachment 1602231View attachment 1602232

very nice

 

[Adam in WI]

This is my Richard's microfit when it was all said and done. This is a Tikka. Inletting really was about 99%. all I had to do was open the barrel channel to my preferred size and there was a little thickness around the tang I tweaked.

As far as the shape ... You will sand sand sand. And I didn't mind that. It's fun and rewarding to watch it come together. Just realize that you are going to sand a whole heck of a lot on 80 or 100 grit to get all the machine marks (more like gouges).

I ordered grade A fancy. I was not all that pleased at first as there is little to no figure to this stock, however the color contrasting go along the grad A fancy definition. I'd probably go semi fancy next time and save some money. I was tempted to return it and demand something with figure like I expected (and their pics show) but I was antsy to start my project. 2 years later and I have no regrets.

View attachment 1602230View attachment 1602231View attachment 1602232

Is that the custom rollover? I was leaning toward the old classic 102 or modern classic if I went with them.

 

[Adam in WI]

Ya, hand checkering is expensive. But if you are looking for high grade Maple, do you really want laser cut checkering and plastic finish?

That was my other beef, they don't allow you to order a checkered stock without finish. I'd like to apply my own.

 

[pintopete]

Adam, I’ve purchased a few Richard’s stocks, but all have been walnut, mostly Claro. I would not hesitate to buy another. However, in my opinion and experience, their grading seems to be one grade step optimistic. Bear in mind that grading is not really standardized. So, their grading is different than Bishop’s from years ago, and the same would be true from another supplier. The pictures on their web site are only representative of the style and shape of the stock you will receive. As Dimner says, the inletting is pretty good. You will need to spend many hours working on the stock. You will need to invest a considerable amount of time to get what Dimner has pictured above, which I think is beautiful. If I were to buy another Claro from them, it would be a AA or AAA fancy grade, thinking that they are the best bang for the buck. Especially the AA as far as cost is concerned.
I’m not sure how you can correlate my experiences to what you want in maple, but I would definitely expect to get a stock that is one grade step up in terms of the percentage of figuring.
Checkering is a separate subject. I would like some checkered myself, but haven’t gotten to that yet.

Good luck with your project, Peter.

 

[pintopete]

AAA Fancy in Claro. Some very nice figuring, but on the flip side, plain.

 

[pintopete]

This is an Exhibition in Claro. Hard to capture everything in pictures, but you get the idea. This was $530.

 

[pintopete]

AA Fancy in Claro.

 

[Bill K]

Just my opinion, but in the long run, with what you want and expect I would say go with Boyd's. Theirs will be a good overall stock and meet your wants, for the amount of money you will be spending.

 

[Dimner]

Is that the custom rollover? I was leaning toward the old classic 102 or modern classic if I went with them.

yes, custom rollover. I love the look for a scoped hunting rifle. I should also add that I worked at shaping extra contour to the roll over. So if you want it less pronounced, it will come that way from RMF

Total cost shipped was a little over $250. I think the results speak for themselves, you cant get anything like that from Boyd's.

On the flip side, Boyd's is where I would buy a laminated stock if I were to get a stock for a rifle that I knew I was going to put through a lot of hard use.

Checkering actually was a huge concern of mine. I REALLY wanted checkering. In the end I decided I can pony up the 300 or more dollars to have it done if necessary. So far, I'm just fine with my rifle without the checkering.

Gun season in Michigan starts 11/15. So hopefully I will have a pic with a deer soon!

 

[spitfire_er]

This is a richards AAA black walnut if I recall. Minimal fitting, but they require finishing.
Second rifle was a factory second but I think it was a semi fancy.

 

[Tommie]

I paid a premium for an exhibition grade claro Richards stock. The wood was, um, nice. Exhibition grade it was not by any stretch.

 

[Kurz]

I paid a premium for a exhibition grade claro Richards stock. The wood was, um, nice. Exhibition grade it was not by any stretch.

Send it back, they will accept it back and send you a refund. Everyone has a different idea when it comes to grading wood for stocks, especially when you're paying for it...

If you feel you really want an exhibition piece of walnut, call Cecil Fredi in Las Vegas:

https://www.gunstockblanks.com/

Be prepared to hire a stockmaker and checkerer though. But it will be world class exhibition grade walnut.

Better all-around stockmakers:

https://wenig.com/

I've used at least 20 Richards stocks in the last few years but only when I have the time and get paid for the labor. Yes they all take additional work, none are drop-in. If that's what you need, call Boyds or get ready to pay a lot more for a synthetic or carbon fiber stock.

Enjoy the search!

 

[butchlambert]

I better leave this thread alone!

 

[sneakboxer]

I recently went down this road and went with a Richard's Old Classic in select grade. It in my winter project pile untouched. If you would like some pics or measurements shoot me a PM and I can send them. This is my first stock project so I'm in no position to make any recommendations.