Stiffening a wood stock

[swd]

In reality, it does not appear to be hurting me. I just shot this particular stock for the team matches at the SWN and shot really well with it. I think I am just bothered by the fact that the stock can flex like that.

Are you sure there is a problem or are you just creating one in the never ending search for "better"?

To quote a good friend of mine "don't kill it".

 

[memilanuk]

I don't know about the OP, but I've heard more than once people expressing a concern over stock fore-arms that aren't stiff enough resulting in 'barrel slap' where the barrel contacts the forearm and theoretically causing some vertical stringing. Not something I've personally had an issue with, but I've heard the concern more and more as the fore-arms seem to be getting longer and longer on some of the stocks purpose-built for this sport. So... one way or the other, I for one am following this thread with some interest

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Well, to put that to bed....

A static rifle sitting on the bags.... the forend is a pre-loaded spring in effect. The center of gravity is usually around the bottom of the recoil lug. When your fire the rife the recoil force is in line with the bore. The rifle will rotate around it's center of gravity. This causes the butt to be forced down, the muzzle to come up and with extra help from the stored energy in the forend. The bullet leaves the muzzle with even more clearance under the barrel than in its static state. If there is any forend slap its long after the bullet has left the bore.

 

[mikegaiz]

I would give it 1/8 inch free float clearance, and go with that, As long as the action is properly bedded. i have gone around at long range matches and checked to see how stiff LG are. most will touch the stock if squeezed and these are the top shooters guns.