It;s not Butter, I call it Parkay,,,,,,
Finally my long awaited 257 AI just got the final touches. This one started as an Idea, a Walnut stock, but Laminated, I know laminated stocks are stiffer than solid wood blanks. But I ran by Fred, "what if we took one made from Walnut, Known for it's stiffness and strength, besides being one of the least moisture absorbing woods, and turned every other layer 90 degree to the layer beside it? His answer was sounds good, but I can't tell you how it would look? I told him then, stiffer was the main goal, light weight, as well as stable! If looks were an issue, I'd paint it Kandy Blueberry. The rifle itself started life as 2 walnut blanks, and the rest from this donor, a New Youth model Axis in Muddy Girl camo, as a 223 with NO BOLT.
So we answered those questions last year, and at the same time Put in an order for a Brux 28" .257" 1-10 twist HV barrel. I also ordered a new 257 AI reamer. The long wait was worth it, I don't think I'll be painting it anytime soon! Finished at 26" with 6-1/4" flutes, beginning 2.5" from the muzzle, and running to 4" from the receiver. On a bushed Bolt with small firing pin, tuned ignition and blueprinted and timed action. With a very special Axis trigger, only 5 were ever made by Sharp Shooter Supply, this rifle uses one of them. It finished W/ the Sightron moa Lighted reticle 8-32x50 LRP scope including 4" sunshade, at 12lbs 12oz.
![20250124_152212[1].jpg 20250124_152212[1].jpg](https://forum.accurateshooter.com/data/attachments/685/685294-cc371d82f4418ef2bbef75e88fd5cdd1.jpg?hash=zDcdgvRBjv)
This is the only stock I know of built this way in Walnut. Maybe because after it was finished I wanted to make one for a sporter and got a NO! Way to many man hours and material, mainly man hours Fred said. Besides using two blanks to complete one stock, but a lot of sawdust for filler, as well as the very special Custom Axis trigger, this is one of my most special rifles, and one that will be hear my for grandson someday!
This is probably my last Varmint rifle, at my age if it see's enough rounds to take the throat out, we have 3 3/4" to set it back without getting into the fluting. But for now it's the only stock like this I know of, and after Fred testing it on his deflection table, it one of the stiffest he has tested, way stiffer than the Birch laminates, which are also light and stiff, as well as low on moisture absorption compared to most other woods.