Stock inlet question

[Slim13]

I have a 7mm rem mag. The stock is a McMillan A1/HTG that’s been inlet for a Bartlein #15 Hunter contour. I’m looking to change the barrel to a Broughton #4 contour to put this rifle on a weight loss program. Is it worth it to have a gunsmith fill the inlet to accommodate the thinner barrel or should I just buy a new stock?
Thanks!

 

[dsculley]

Since you are trying to lose some weight I assume this will be a hunting rifle? You have 3 options. Leave the stock as is. The space around the barrel will be more than you are accustomed to seeing, but it doesn't hurt anything. The barrel will obviously be free-floated! Either you or your gunsmith fill the barrel channel with epoxy, wood epoxy, metal epoxy or your filler of choice while making sure not to interfere with the barrel. Get a new stock that fits the new barrel. If it were me, I would first leave the stock as is and see how I like it. If you don't like it, then you can make changes.

 

[joshb]

I wouldn't fill it. With the thinner barrel, you just have more air flow around the barrel. Why add weight filling it? What happens if you fill it and someday decide to go back to a thicker barrel?

 

[Ggmac]

Agree with others and want to add , filler material is going to be heavier than the wood that was previously filling the gap . If you want to shed some weight , don't add any when it's not necessary

 

[Slim13]

I appreciate all the advice. I’m going with the “leave it alone” option and reevaluate later.

 

[philip brousseau]

if you decide to have it filled check with mcmillan. they might do it at a very reasonable price. the barrel channel can be filled with a very light weight mix of epoxy and micro-baloons, Q-cell would add very little weight.