Finished my first stock...

Just finished my first stock build.
4 layers, 1/2" Okoume plywood with West System epoxy. Cutting shaping the stock itself was straightforward, but man, inletting sure is a *****. Any pointers are appreciated!

Caliber is 7-08, first range trip working up some Varget loads with 150 SMK's was pretty decent. Going to try some H4350 as well next week. Long term plan is to rebarrel to a bull with a 9 twist for the 162 Amax.

Fully epoxy bedded with pillars, but I've read some guys leave the rear tang floating. Any substance to this?

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...r/IMAG0699.jpg

Looks pretty sweet to me.

The 140 gr with 41 gr of R15 is a pretty good load.

Definately leave the tang free floated or you will introduce stresses in the reciever when you torque the action bolts.

El Lobo

Thanks.

Makes sense due to the forward location of the rear action screw. I'll grind out the bedding compound from under the tang.

looks great +1 to float the rear tang

drybean

Great job making the stock. Bedding the action is always the biggest pain. Unless you have access to a CNC mill, it's a slow tedious process.

Bedding is easy for me, it's the inletting...
But, I've learned now to do the inletting before shaping the stock, while she's still nice and square and can be worked with a jig and router (yeah, a mill sure would be nice!).

Well Done!

EVOC ONE

Thanks.
I found a link online about using blind nuts to make the adjustable cheekrest, and it cost me all of fifteen bucks. Works great, too.
The cheap plastic trigger guard cracked when I torqued down the rear action screw (SHAME on you- Savage!), but it was quickly replaced with new metal from Brownells. I'm also going to put an 11 degree target crown on the factory barrel, just because...

Heading to Manatee next week, we'll see how it shoots to 600 (and if I get brave, and the wind cooperates, mebbe 1000 :))

To any of you guys that have been thinking about it, it's a fun project, not too difficult if you have carpentry experience. I traced the front of the stock right off my son's Choate Tactical, and used the McMillan A3-A5 as "inspiration" for the buttstock. All up to the imagination!

Not sure about the purple laquer, though...but both my sons think it looks "cool" on the bench....