Savage FVT build to FVT/R (pic heavy)

I've had the itch to build a 22 lately, and I found a FVT mkii on gunbroker and bought it for $250, and it came with 3 mags, so I think it was a pretty good deal. I looked at the new TR, but think they are a little over-priced just for a stock and bolt handle upgrade. So, after hearing about Boyds tacticool stock, I went to order one when they had the sale posted here. They were unfortunately sold out. So a few days passed and I was on the boyds site again, and found some tacticool seconds in the crazydeals section, and they were only $50, so I ordered one. It came in last week, and the the only flaws I could find were a little proud metal area they had marked around the magazine bottom metal area, and a little wood missing from the front screw area around the magazine well. I removed the buttpad, because I have ordered an adjustable one, and the stock is made from nutmeg laminate. The stock did not appear finished like the others I have seen that have a textured look to them. Just what I wanted anyway.
[img width=600 height=400]http://i54.tinypic.com/2wfjy9i.jpg[/img]
[img width=600 height=400]http://i53.tinypic.com/v3kkup.jpg[/img]

After thinking my fvt would be in by today, saturday, I thought I would be out this weekend shooting it with the new stock on. Unfortunately, it will not be here until monday. So, this gave me the weekend to start on the repaint and texture, although I couldnt do a lot, because the buttplate and fitting need to be done before the paint, I took today to texture and test some camo stencils I have drawn up.
I pulled out my collection of camo paint, and bought some more OD and some texture stuff. I picked up some Rustoleum OD, because I like the darker color of it compared to the Krylon and some Valspar stone texture (at over $9 a can at lowes, wow) for the grip and forearm of the stock. A lot of guys are using marinetex, but this stuff has more texture than the Krylon textured paint and looks as good. Just sand down the grip and forearm area where the stone texture will take.
[img width=600 height=400]http://i55.tinypic.com/mjlczs.jpg[/img]
[img width=600 height=400]http://i52.tinypic.com/2lusz2f.jpg[/img]

After sanding, I wiped the areas down with denatured alcohol to clean them off, and began taping them off with automotive paint masking tape. I cut some curved corners on a plotter (I own a sign sop, but you can do it by hand with an exacto also) and taped the forearm area to measure 8.75"x4.25", but you could tape it off whatever size is comfortable to you. I taped the grip off under the tang and across the back of the trigger guard, and stopped at the checkrest on the back.
[img width=600 height=400]http://i52.tinypic.com/vcqnpj.jpg[/img]

Then I taped the remaing areas off with masking paper and tape.
[img width=600 height=400]http://i54.tinypic.com/2d12yh5.jpg[/img]

I took some screws and placed in the sling swivel stud holes (the stock didnt come with any studs) and prepped an area to spray. Some people will hang the stock by a string and spray it that way, but for the texture I found it easier to spray the grip area first and the flip it over and spray the forearm and the tang area.
[img width=600 height=400]http://i56.tinypic.com/2iqe4jd.jpg[/img]

Test a piece of wood to see how the texture sprays and what thickness it will put down, and then spray the stock areas.
[img width=600 height=400]http://i51.tinypic.com/2lwtc8o.jpg[/img]

While you wait for the texture to dry and cure (it claims 4-6 hours on the can), decide which camo you like and start on the stencils. I have access to lots of computers, plotters, printers, and some awesome priograms, but you can print these out and cut them by hand also on some of the adhesive paper made for home printers you can get at office depot or officemax. My choices are GAP camo and digital (marpat style). Here they are after I have drawn them and vectorized them (converted to shapes where I can cad cut them on the plotter).
[img width=600 height=400]http://i52.tinypic.com/149s6ir.jpg[/img]

After the texture is dry, peel the tape off slowly, leaving a clean edge. I chose the tan color for texture so I could see the coverage better against the black stock. If there are any really high texture spots, you can knock them down with an exacto or some light sanding. Just be sure it is completely dry before doing so.
[img width=600 height=400]http://i53.tinypic.com/mvhjl1.jpg[/img]
[img width=600 height=400]http://i55.tinypic.com/rixefk.jpg[/img]
[img width=600 height=400]http://i51.tinypic.com/xc27ow.jpg[/img]
[img width=600 height=400]http://i55.tinypic.com/jigfnc.jpg[/img]

Now, I'm ready to spray the stock black. Wipe any dirt, trash, dust, or anything else off the stock with a lint free towel or use a tack cloth. This time I will hang the stock by a string from the screws I put into the butt pad screw holes after taking the pad off. Spray a few coats, allowing each coat to dry before spraying the next.
[img width=600 height=400]http://i56.tinypic.com/9v8il0.jpg[/img]
[img width=600 height=400]http://i54.tinypic.com/rj017d.jpg[/img]
[img width=600 height=400]http://i54.tinypic.com/2a80nme.jpg[/img]
[img width=600 height=400]http://i52.tinypic.com/2na0ens.jpg[/img]

I have the same stock coming from Boyds. I guess I'll have to wait and see what the finish is on the stock but I'm liking what you have done to your stock. I might have a few questions for you in the next week or so. Looking good ;D ;

Picked up the FVT from my ffl Monday (shameless plug for Tennessee Gun Country if you are in the Clarksville/ Ft. Campbell area. Those guys are great.) Checked every thing to make sure it was all there and then took the action out of the stock. The FVT has a small area trimmed forward and left of the tang area for the rear peep mounting block that is screwed into the action. If you have one and dont plan on using the peep, you can remove the block and fit it like an ordinary savage stock. I plan on swapping out between my scope and the peeps, because I enjoy shooting them every now and then. I measured the original trimmed area of the composite factory stock, and then marked it on the boyds stock with a white grease pen. Then with my handy faux-dremel, I took a cutoff wheel and cut the area away just above the marked line. I then took a sanding drum on the dremel and smoothed the area against the line. The drum usually doesnt make a completely flat sand due to its shape, so I took a small sanding block and flattened the trimmed area.
[img width=600 height=400]http://i53.tinypic.com/1176a88.jpg[/img]
[img width=600 height=400]http://i54.tinypic.com/2pspzic.jpg[/img]
[img width=600 height=400]http://i51.tinypic.com/2qscacm.jpg[/img]
[img width=600 height=400]http://i54.tinypic.com/2s0xt3m.jpg[/img]
[img width=600 height=400]http://i55.tinypic.com/2chn81g.jpg[/img]

now set the action in the stock and test the fit with the peep on. I had to remove it and do some sanding to get the fit and look I wanted.
[img width=600 height=400]http://i55.tinypic.com/289getk.jpg[/img]

Once fitted, tighten the action in place and check the receiver and barrel areas for fit. Make sure to check the free float of the barrel. My stock was almost a perfect fit on the barrel and receiver. I'll do a quick bedding job after everything is set up and its test fired. I removed the action and sprayed the stock black again, which is like a temporary primer for this stock. I've decided to go with the 3 color GAP camo, because I think it will look nice and retro when the peep and front sight are on.
[img width=600 height=400]http://i51.tinypic.com/1zmk08j.jpg[/img]

I put the action back in the factory stock while I am waiting on the bottom metal and trigger guard to get here, and I went ahead and mounted the EGW 20moa base. The FVT is the new e-receiver and takes the 93 rail instead of the mk2 version. Straight forward mounting, some blue loctite, check it, and tighten down. fit was, as usual with the EGW stuff I have bought, very good. The base does not interfere with the peep sight picture at all.
[img width=600 height=400]http://i55.tinypic.com/2cz90xt.jpg[/img]
[img width=600 height=400]http://i55.tinypic.com/migke9.jpg[/img]

Also picked up my warne qd rings and hopefully test the re-zero and repeatability of them sometime this week. Checked on the buttplate today, and it may get here by friday, but more likely next week. More waiting before I can start on the camo. Hopefully my trigger will come in before the weekend.

Bottom metal and trigger guard came in today from stockys, both fit fine. I sanded the mag metal area down where it was a little high (nearest the trigger guard), and I roughed up the other end to lay down some devcon to raise it up and level the metal out. I taped the area off, and taped the mag metal and screw (not the action screw, a loose one I have that is approxiamtely the same size). I mixed up some devcon and laid it down on the front end, put the two pieces together (with the screw in) and taped it down. I also sanded the rear peep mounting area down again and squared the edges off where it looked better.
[img width=600 height=400]http://i53.tinypic.com/2s163o1.jpg[/img]
[img width=600 height=400]http://i54.tinypic.com/2hqxkrr.jpg[/img]
http://i51.tinypic.com/2qsckts.jpg

after setting up for 4 hours, I should be able to handle and fit the action to the stock. I'll touch up the sanded areas and trim away the excess devcon also. I test mounted the scope and rings on the egw base. The warne qd rings are low height, and the scope fits almost perfect (could be a tad lower, but is a little over 1/8" between it and the barrel). The legend 5-15x40 has about 3 3/8" eye relief from what I measured. I will level it up and align the reticle once I get the action fitted in the stock. The warne rings tighten up nice and snug, and with almost nil recoil, should not come loose unless it is my choice.
[img width=600 height=400]http://i56.tinypic.com/6pq9zs.jpg[/img]
[img width=600 height=400]http://i53.tinypic.com/2nltukk.jpg[/img]

The rifle basix trigger also came in today and I will install it tonight and set it at 1.5lbs. Should make a big difference from the stock accu-trigger.

Dropped the rifle basix trigger in, took all of 15 minutes maybe. Really simple and good instructions. I won't post detailed pics of the install, because the instructions give very good photos and steps. Trigger is muuuucchh better and lighter than the accutrigger.
[img width=600 height=400]http://i51.tinypic.com/21kz8ys.jpg[/img]
[img width=600 height=400]http://i54.tinypic.com/1z70w1v.jpg[/img]
[img width=600 height=400]http://i56.tinypic.com/29bfpzo.jpg[/img]

This will be the last time you see it in black. The next coat will be tan, and after I install the adjustable buttplate. I will shoot it in tan, let it dry, and apply the stencils for the first color of the gap camo. I'm going to try to get out and shoot it on sunday for sight in and try to find out which ammo it likes best.