Ruger Hawkeye Predator project.

[GlennGTR1]

Currently own a Lipseys special run Ruger Hawkeye Predator. This rifle is a bit heavy for me so I am working on reducing the weight. Currently it has a factory 24 inch magnum contoured barrel on it, chambered in 223 Rem. My idea is to cut the barrel and have it recrowned at 18.5 inches, have the laminate stock abreviated and the butt hollowed out a bit. The goal is to get the rifle from its 8.5 lb weight down close to 7. I am wondering how difficult it is to work with the laminate wood compared to regular wood. I know its harder and that there is a lot of resin in it. Have any of you worked this material before? If so any helpful hints would be welcome.

 

[300Ultra]

Gun stock laminate isn't particularly difficult to work with. It is a dusty splintery stuff and I suggest wearing a dust mask while hollowing out the stock. I used to turn predator calls from it,and it is a dusty dirty deal. DON'T get it too thin around the edges of the stock. Yes,there is a fair amount of resin in it,but it isn't Diamond Wood. Now that stuff is HARD! If you get it worked out too thin, it can split or separate along the laminate at some point.

 

[GlennGTR1]

What is Diamond wood?

 

[15Tango]

That laminate's easy to work with. I hogged out some holes in the stock on a Ruger laminate stock to insert weight to try and reduce recoil. I did this all under the butt pad so you couldn't tell it had been done just by looking at it. You can take a 1" spade bit and drill two holes quite deep and it takes the weight down quite a bit. Make sure you go in as straight as possible.

Wayne