Wood/Epoxy Stock Options (Cerus, Southwest, A&S)

[Presis Skytter]

I’ve been looking at getting a wood stock that has the colored epoxy/carbon fill. I see three options (Cerus, Southwest Actions Works, and A&S - Andrea Santacroce). All look beautiful online but I’m looking for advice from people that have seen them in person and shot them. Is there a reason other then lead time to go with one over the others. Leaning torward the SW or AS. Open to other similar options too… and post pics if you got em.

 

[Willow]

I have a Cerus XR and two AS stocks. The AS certainly took some inspiration from Cerus in my opinion, but the dimenesions are little different - both feel a little different in the hand. I give the edge to the Cerus in terms of feel and I believe Will simply has access to the best quality timber out there. I'd love another Cerus but getting a hold of Will is incredibly difficult, even moreso when you're on the other side of the world.

You can't go wrong with any of them though to be honest.

 

[Bc'z]

Of your 3 given choices @Southwest Action Works Dennis is a great guy and makes a amazing product, great to work with great lead times for what your ordering. American made!!

Cerus, we all can agree Will makes a beautiful stock. American made!!

Not a live edge epoxy stock, but look amazing with a candy finish
@Jason Avila, American made!!
I know Jason has been playing with lumber but don't know how far he is from production

Xring Jason Pulvermacher makes a great stock also, great guy and easy to work with. American made!!
I just noticed your in Wisconsin as well

AS if your after more immediate satisfaction and don't mind sending your hard earned $$$ overseas

 

[Dan-Schenk]

I’d second working with Dennis at Southwest action works. Great guy to deal with, and was very patient with my unlimited questions.

 

[Presis Skytter]

I appreciate the feedback. Great to hear from people that have handled more than one of the options. Was leaning in the direction of going SouthWest so glad to see positive response confirming that.

 

[Bc'z]

I appreciate the feedback. Great to hear from people that have handled more than one of the options. Was leaning in the direction of going SouthWest so glad to see positive response confirming that.

I'm working on 1 of Dennis's creations now, you won't be disappointed.
Give him a call and start picking out boards.

 

[Dave Way]

I don’t understand the entire wood and epoxy thing. There is absolutely no doubt that two stocks from the same manufacturer will vary as far as weight, stiffness and vibration. They have to because of the various amounts of wood versus epoxy as well as because of where the epoxy is replacing the missing wood in each stock. What wood is there is rarely structurally sound.

I can only assume that the stocks are popular because of appearance over functionality. For me, if I’m spending that kind of money for a stock, I’m getting the entire stock, not part of one that needs epoxy to replace the missing wood!

With everything I purchase for competition, I put function first. Just my opinion but I just don’t get it.

Dave.

 

[Lee in Texas]

I'm working on 1 of Dennis's creations now, you won't be disappointed.
Give him a call and start picking out boards.View attachment 1578015

I can’t wait to see this when it’s done.

 

[Bc'z]

I don’t understand the entire wood and epoxy thing. There is absolutely no doubt that two stocks from the same manufacturer will vary as far as weight, stiffness and vibration. They have to because of the various amounts of wood versus epoxy as well as because of where the epoxy is replacing the missing wood in each stock. What wood is there is rarely structurally sound.

I can only assume that the stocks are popular because of appearance over functionality. For me, if I’m spending that kind of money for a stock, I’m getting the entire stock, not part of one that needs epoxy to replace the missing wood!

With everything I purchase for competition, I put function first. Just my opinion but I just don’t get it.

Dave.

In a word, ART
Stockmakers are using what would generally be thrown out on the burn pile to make some truly amazing pieces of functioning art by blending in modern processes.
These rifles do win

 

[SVT_Tactical]

In a word, ART
Stockmakers are using what would generally be thrown out on the burn pile to make some truly amazing pieces of functioning art by blending in modern processes.
These rifles do win

X 1000000%

To me it adds character, definition, and shows craftsmanship. Also at times, the epoxy my help to stiffen weak material, show those live edges that have all that character and tell a story. Adds more depth than a solid single piece when you working with woods.

Some materials need to be covered, paint, some need dyes and clears just to bring out the natural beauty of the material.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Let the artist do what an artist does. I'll just sit back and watch in amazement and be happy.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

In a word, ART
Stockmakers are using what would generally be thrown out on the burn pile to make some truly amazing pieces of functioning art by blending in modern processes.
These rifles do win

Thats where it all started. Finding a way to use wood that would normally be scrap. Mainly in tables but its moved over to stocks. To each his own I guess.

 

[Presis Skytter]

I agree functionality is top priority but if I can get functionality with art incorporated, then I will. Looks like some good shooters are using epoxy wood stocks, and I’m not sure they are giving up anything doing it.

Question for you Bc’z- your dyed stocks looks great. I’m not super familiar with the dying process… you ever partially dye? Meaning only do the fore arm or only do the butt of the stock? Just thinking if I had a maple/purple epoxy forearm and the butt dyed a matching purple to the epoxy.

 

[Presis Skytter]

Thats where it all started. Finding a way to use wood that would normally be scrap. Mainly in tables but it’s moved over to stocks. To each his own I guess.

Considering this question was originally posed for a build that is going to use a cartridge you developed, I value your input and I’m curious if you think the epoxy fill vs solid wood is going to see any actual accuracy differences?

 

[Alex Wheeler]

This is an area I do have a little experience. When Kelly McMillan was alive hed let me order any kind of combo I could think of to test. I have also had all different types of wood and laminates. Many hundreds of stocks. While there is a difference in how the materials act and shoot its a small difference. Its there though. I dont have a lot of experience with the epoxy filled stocks. However, based on all the other stocks, Id pick wood over solid epoxy for the vibration handling. Wood and foam do a very good job here. My first choice would be wood laminate, solid wood, or fiberglass with some foam fill somewhere. But if you really are in love with the look of the live edge go for it. While its not my first choice, I wont say it will hurt you 100%

 

[Bc'z]

I agree functionality is top priority but if I can get functionality with art incorporated, then I will. Looks like some good shooters are using epoxy wood stocks, and I’m not sure they are giving up anything doing it.

Question for you Bc’z- your dyed stocks looks great. I’m not super familiar with the dying process… you ever partially dye? Meaning only do the fore arm or only do the butt of the stock? Just thinking if I had a maple/purple epoxy forearm and the butt dyed a matching purple to the epoxy.

I recently finished an Xring for Joe Traylor where I dyed only the center board, and not the high $$$ walnut butter boards.
Roughly 3 hours of taping trying to keep tape on glue line so as not to get bleed through.
Specialty tape to complete project wasn't cheap, but worth every penny for the outcome.

I've never partially dyed the outter boards, but as I type this I'm thinking how to create a fade with multiple layers sanding between coats and diluting dye out with each coat to create a blend and fade of the color.
So yeah I'd say it's doable.

 

[Bc'z]

This is an area I do have a little experience. When Kelly McMillan was alive hed let me order any kind of combo I could think of to test. I have also had all different types of wood and laminates. Many hundreds of stocks. While there is a difference in how the materials act and shoot its a small difference. Its there though. I dont have a lot of experience with the epoxy filled stocks. However, based on all the other stocks, Id pick wood over solid epoxy for the vibration handling. Wood and foam do a very good job here. My first choice would be wood laminate, solid wood, or fiberglass with some foam fill somewhere. But if you really are in love with the look of the live edge go for it. While its not my first choice, I wont say it will hurt you 100%

Do you believe some woods absorb vibrations/harmonics better than others, say walnut versus maple?
I've been working on a lot of wenge of late and noticed how heavy yet hard it is, which brings us back to @Dave Way and functionality as different types of wood can and will respond differently in the bags.

 

[Sandstorm]

So yeah I'd say it's doable.

Are you really saying not cheap but doable as it sounds like a lot of work to me my friend.

 

[Bc'z]

Are you really saying not cheap but doable as it sounds like a lot of work to me my friend.

John I've been meaning to call you bud.
No I'm saying it's doable, I don't generally charge by difficulty just by the job. Joe's stock pictured above was done for same fee as a clear coat job.
This rail pictured below is for the purple stock in my second post. I liked to lost my shit when I saw it especially knowing where it came from, I really should be charging extra for cleaning up the mess as it took me a couple extra hours and put me behind on other projects
I filled holes with JB weld sanded and bedded rail in 2 operations.
This will get glued n screwed after paint. Ultimately it had to be done prior to dye application, and needed to be corrected before leaving here, I couldn't imagine screwing a bipod to it in the state in which I recieved it.

 

[Sandstorm]

Yup..I can see..You Sir have your work cut out on some of them Im sure.

 

[Lee in Texas]

Could you put in a rail like that, then make a bag rider to attach to it? There’s no 1000yard benchrest around here, but putting a custom hunting rifle in bags once in a while would be pretty cool.