Boyd's Gunstock Barrel Channel(s)

[Carvera]

Of the non "bull barrel" channel stocks that Boyd's offers, Which stock type will have the most wood on the sides of the barrel channel once opened up?

Boyd's does not offer much with regards to the left hand Savage centerfeed action. The stocks that they do offer for the left hand, short action, centerfeed come with a "factory barrel channel".

I am wanting to use a Boyd's stock that will not look silly with regards to how "thin" the wood is on each side of the barrel channel once the stock has been sanded open to accommodate for the varmint barrel.

[DrThunder88]

The Tacticool I have for my Axis looks sensibly-proportioned with the varmint barrel installed therein. upSLIDEdown's rig (http://www.savageshooters.com/showthread.php?36249-First-competition-ever-with-an-Axis-2014-Bangsteel-Challenge&p=265708&viewfull=1#post265708) is, I think, a factory contour in a Tacticool, and you can sort of see how much meat is on the forearm.

[foxx]

I have recently put an ER Shaw Heavy Sporter (from Apache Gun Works) on a left hand stock, right hand action, short action Leightweigt Thumbhole. Very happy with it. Sure, the barrel is not as large as a varmint, but very close. I am confident the varmint contour would be fine.

[Chrazy-Chris]

This tacticool started as a factory sporter channel. There was plenty of room left and it was easy to sand using a 1" dowel.

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3905/14364530166_18886784be_c.jpg

[snowgetter1]

Tacti cool opens up very well as stated.

[Carvera]

The "Tacti-cool" stock does look like it carries the varmint barrel very well.

Any others?

[snowgetter1]

Another angle on the tacticool.
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb465/snowgetter1/image_zps36756967.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/snowgetter1/media/image_zps36756967.jpg.html)

[Bowers]

I have been looking into this stock my self for my 308, I have the factory sporter barrel. If i decide to get this and then buy a heavy varmint or bull barrel. How much trouble would it be to open it up to accomodate it, do i just get the one inch pipe/dowl and sand paper to open it up, would it still be stiff enough to hold the barrel without any give/flex. Also how much does this stock improve over the factory tubberware stock that i currently have, I really want the Bell and Carlson stock, just dont want to shell out that much for it. Would this stock with a nice pillar bed, and glass bed be worth it compared to the B&C. Thanks

[Chrazy-Chris]

I have been looking into this stock my self for my 308, I have the factory sporter barrel. If i decide to get this and then buy a heavy varmint or bull barrel. How much trouble would it be to open it up to accomodate it, do i just get the one inch pipe/dowl and sand paper to open it up, would it still be stiff enough to hold the barrel without any give/flex. Also how much does this stock improve over the factory tubberware stock that i currently have, I really want the Bell and Carlson stock, just dont want to shell out that much for it. Would this stock with a nice pillar bed, and glass bed be worth it compared to the B&C. Thanks

This would be the perfect stock to use with a sporter barrel and then open up for a factory barrel later. I would just recommend coating the exposed wood parts with paint or something to prevent moisture from seeping in and causing issues with the laminate. There is plenty of material left after opening the channel.

I found it to be a major improvement over the factory tupperware. Additionally, it is a different shape altogether with much different ergonomics. If it will primarily be a hunting rifle that you'll be carrying a lot, I'd consider a more conventional style of stock. I bedded mine using acraglass with no pillars and it seemed to work out just fine. I shot a .74MOA six shot group the first try after bedding it and expect to see even tighter groups to come.

[foxx]

A stock is not intended to support the barrel. It merely needs to be strong enough to support the action, because the stock should not come in contact with the barrel, no matter how heavy. The issue is whether the stock will be pressed against the barrel when resting on its forearm. The Boyds laminate will not touch the barrel, no matter how heavy, as long as it is opened up sufficiently. (There is no flex). I do not know, either, if a bull barrel will look funny on a tacticool, but it will certainly not cause any shooting issues. The factory stock will cause shooting issues, however, because the entire stock is too flimsy, particularly near the recoil lug. That is where it flexes, even with a lightweight sporter barrel, when the shooter rests the rifle on its forearm. I, and others, have tried reinforcing the factory stock's forearm, but it doesn't do much good because there really isn't a way, that I have seen, to reinforce it along its whole length.

[Txhillbilly]

I've never had any problems opening up the channels on any of Boyd's stocks. I have two LH thumbhole stocks with heavy barrels in them.
12 FLVSS 223-
http://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af113/1Txhillbilly/Savage%2012%20223%20and%20Targets/010_zps94caaa35.jpg (http://s999.photobucket.com/user/1Txhillbilly/media/Savage%2012%20223%20and%20Targets/010_zps94caaa35.jpg.html)

110 FLP 6.5-06 -
http://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af113/1Txhillbilly/Savage%20110FLP%20300WM/021_zpsdd63f863.jpg (http://s999.photobucket.com/user/1Txhillbilly/media/Savage%20110FLP%20300WM/021_zpsdd63f863.jpg.html)

[foxx]

Those are cool, Tex. I am also left handed, and like the right hand bolt, left hand stocks as well. Glad to see some with true heavy barrels. Some say they want more stock along the barrel, but I don't see a problem with the thin wood along the channel on yours. Nice work.

[Carvera]

To me, the thin wood on the sides of the barrel channel have a propensity to crack/damage if left "too thin". That is my experience, yours may be different. I agree with much that has been said as far as any stock being able to accept a heavy barrel, but my question originally had to do with having enough wood on the sides in the "rare" case that I have an accident that cracks, chips, or splits the wood on the sides of the barrel channel.

Having more wood on the sides of the barrel channel I believe absorbs more punishment and dents instead.

[Txhillbilly]

The older Ross stock on my 223 is pretty thin at the top,but I've never worried about is getting damaged. I'm pretty hard on my rifle's out in the field. They get rode around on 4 wheelers,and in trucks over rough terrain. It would be pretty hard to hit the stock anywhere near the top edge,even if it were dropped.
The newer thumbhole stocks have a lot more material on the forearm end,and it wouldn't be a problem at all with them.