options for a 3" wide benchrest stock

[joe h]

i currently shoot with a boyds varmint thumbhole stock, short action stagger feed

im looking for something with a 3" wide forearm, flat on the bottom front and rear. kinda like the f-class savage stock.
any other options of stocks other than SSS, stockade, richards microfit yikes....

[yobuck]

there would be another choice.
but it would require at least some talent and willingness on your part.
that would be to modify the existing stock you have. you could laminate
more wood onto it and shape it anyway you want.
i once bought a heavy bench gun with 1/8" laminates of maple and walnut.
problem was it was a r/h thumbhole with r/h cheekpiece and im a lefty.
absolutly useless for me. so i opted to modify the stock by opening the thumbhole
and adding another cheekpiece on my side. the worst thing that could have happened
is that i would have ruined a stock that was useless to me anyway.
that was over 25 years ago and im still using it.

[joe h]

yes, youre right.... i could do minor modifications to the one i have. kinda like this stock the way it is though.

but thats still an option, just buy one for modifying.. doubt i could do the laminate stuff youre talking about, id have to go bondo and paint.

ill look at the boyds tacticool stock for modifying.. but then again a richards might be about the same amount of work and made to about what i want.

[yobuck]

the easiest option would be to attach an aluminum plate to the bottom of your existing stock.
epoxy some long hanger nuts into the wood. add some 3/4" fender washers for space between
the 2 and use hex head bolts recessed into the aluminum to fasten it on. it could be removed
anytime you like. i have several of those mounted on stocks which are for a custom front rest.
mine are about 8" long but they could be about any legnth or width you wish. i used 1/4" thick barrel
cuttoffs as the spacers between the stock and the plate. but stainless fender washers would work just as well.
two 1/4" hex heads would easily hold it on.

[joe h]

Hmm interesting idea. The front seems easy. Not sure how you're doing the rear? Any pics?

[yobuck]

i dont do anything with the rear just the front. i use a rabbit ear bag for my rear support.
if the rear portion of your stock is fairly flat on the bottom you could add a round metal
rod on that also. some shooters do that and it does help the gun ride on the bag nicely.
i use no front bag. the plates are grooved on the sides and they slide into bearings on the rest.
in other words its a return to battery setup designed by pa hillbillies for long range hunting.
you wouldnt be permitted to use the bearings at a sanctioned rifle match.
the plate works fine with a bipod also. just drill and tap a hole.

[Mel12]

I have a sss thumbhole stock and love it. Had to wait for it but it was worth it.

I would like to see this flat bottom plate that bolts on a round stock. Im thinking shoot round bottom stock class then put the plate on and shoot flat bottom stock class.

[yobuck]

the main reason for the spacer between the stock and the plate is so the plate is solid and straight.
otherwise it would tend to follow the round stock if you follow me.
you might even have to bend or shape the spacer slightly to fit the stock. the spacer rather than washers would work best for that
as the opposite end could be flat to fit the plate better.
i split my time between fl. and pa. in fl. i only have a boat and lots of fishing rods.
everything guns and hunting is in pa. it will be several months till i get back there to take pictures.
and that would depend on the heat and the fishing.

[Switchbarrel]

Bill Shehane aka D & B Supply used to make a Savage drop-in stock. I don't know if he still does or not. His "Tracker" stock is what you say you're looking for.

www.scopeusout.com

-Rick