3rd Boyds stock.

[kmw1954]

This rifle stock thing is becoming a bad habit. This is my 4th stock for the year and in order; Boyds Varmint Thumbhole for a Savage model 10 blind mag 223, Boyds Spike Camp to replace the Thumbhole as I did not find it comfortable. Richards Microfit Field Trekker for a Savage model 11 build.Stock got broke in a fall. Last stock is a Boyds At-One Thumbhole to replace the broken Richards.

Now some brief feedback on this experience and I will do my best to keep it objective.

All three stocks arrived in a very timely order and well packaged. The first stoch was fittind to the gun very quickly and easily and shot very well out of the box. I just could not adjust to the thumbhole in this stock and it was quickly replaced with the Boyds Spike Camp which I find much more comfortable and less restictive.

This Spike Camp also fit w/o any adjustment only this one would not shoot worth a dam out of the box. My nice 200yd MOA went to 7" groups if you want to call that a group. After a Full epoxy bedding it is now also shooting nicely.

Now the At-One Thumbhole. All the bottom metal, trigger guard and mag bottom metal would not fit into the stock. Had to get out the Dremel and do some relieving to get everything to fit. The receiver channel is also very rough and uneven and when the receiver is in place and tightened down the DBM will not insert and latch in place. I believe the top of the mag is hitting the bottom of the receiver. Will investigate further and also get ready to epoxy bed this action.

 

[BigBlue 94]

This rifle stock thing is becoming a bad habit. This is my 4th stock for the year and in order; Boyds Varmint Thumbhole for a Savage model 10 blind mag 223, Boyds Spike Camp to replace the Thumbhole as I did not find it comfortable. Richards Microfit Field Trekker for a Savage model 11 build.Stock got broke in a fall. Last stock is a Boyds At-One Thumbhole to replace the broken Richards.

Now some brief feedback on this experience and I will do my best to keep it objective.

All three stocks arrived in a very timely order and well packaged. The first stoch was fittind to the gun very quickly and easily and shot very well out of the box. I just could not adjust to the thumbhole in this stock and it was quickly replaced with the Boyds Spike Camp which I find much more comfortable and less restictive.

This Spike Camp also fit w/o any adjustment only this one would not shoot worth a dam out of the box. My nice 200yd MOA went to 7" groups if you want to call that a group. After a Full epoxy bedding it is now also shooting nicely.

Now the At-One Thumbhole. All the bottom metal, trigger guard and mag bottom metal would not fit into the stock. Had to get out the Dremel and do some relieving to get everything to fit. The receiver channel is also very rough and uneven and when the receiver is in place and tightened down the DBM will not insert and latch in place. I believe the top of the mag is hitting the bottom of the receiver. Will investigate further and also get ready to epoxy bed this action.

My only experience with Boyds is with AR15 furniture. The butt stock and pistol grip are perfect fits. The 2 piece drop in handguards have both been too large to fit out of the box. One rifle and one carbine length. However, that allows custom fitting and a tight fit. I had to remove a 1/16" or so from the length and inlet a bit for the barrel nut. But both sets fit rock solid and dont move at all.

For me, having too much material and needing to remove some is better than a loose fit. But i also have the tools and skills to do about anything but rifle a barrel. I understand however, not all people do.

 

[kmw1954]

So the At-One was my Christmas present from my wife after I dropped and broke that Richards and was heart broken..
Honestly, for myself I would not buy this stock again, especially for the cost. I really do not find it all that comfortable and all the squared corners. The Spike Camp is a much better value.

Still contemplating doing another Richards Field Trekker because I just love the way it fits and feels when I shoulder it. The debate now is to do it in another Walnut or in a Laminate.

 

[BigBL87]

The Spike Camp is a much better value.

IMO the Spike Camp really is an incredible value. I'd prefer something that wasn't a thumbhole stock, but for the price I can deal with it. I can't imagine it would be that difficult to design a non-thumbhole version, and I feel like it would actually be less work for them to make.

 

[kmw1954]

They do also offer more traditional stocks.

 

[BigBL87]

They do also offer more traditional stocks.

True, but they aren't as cheap as the Spike Camp.

 

[BigBlue 94]

The debate now is to do it in another Walnut or in a Laminate.

I dont really love laminate stocks. Not for looks anyways. But dang they are super strong and stable. Ill have one on "working" rifles, but not a rifle I want to look pretty. Nothin better looking than a good walnut stock and blued steel.

 

[Megawatt maker]

I've used two AT-Ones so far, one on a Mauser 98k...the other on a Spanish 98kish that was rebarreled to 308.

Both stocks fit well, but I bedded both. I like them, but its easy to see why they are not for everyone.

 

[kmw1954]

I dont really love laminate stocks. Not for looks anyways. But dang they are super strong and stable. Ill have one on "working" rifles, but not a rifle I want to look pretty. Nothin better looking than a good walnut stock and blued steel.

Have to completely agree. Just leery of doing this again in Walnut with this model 11 Savage as this now makes 2 stocks that have broken in exactly the same place. So Like you suggest the laminate will be stronger and more stable. Point to ponder is this will basically be a bench rifle.

 

[BigBlue 94]

Have to completely agree. Just leery of doing this again in Walnut with this model 11 Savage as this now makes 2 stocks that have broken in exactly the same place. So Like you suggest the laminate will be stronger and more stable. Point to ponder is this will basically be a bench rifle.

I would consider a bench gun as a working gun. It gets moved and used like one, though not necessarily through the scrub brush.

Laminate stocks are considerably stronger due to their plied construction. The multiple surface planes and all the glue make them rock stable: great for a target rifle. The figure of one is entirely dependant on stock contours and amount of plies. The more relief a stock has, the wilder the "grain" will get. Kinda like all the layers in the grand canyon versus standing on a hill in Kansas.

I have one of the gray steel Ruger M77 target rifles in .204 floated in a laminate stock. It is one of my most accurate rifles. Same with the Marlin 17VS. Its my squirrel assassin! Laminate just isnt as classy as solid hardwood.

 

[kmw1954]

https://richardsmicrofitgunstocks.com/product/laminated-wood-field-trekker-tactical-grip-style/

This is what the original was in Walnut so I am thinking of this in the Black Widow color.

 

[Riomouse911]

I like the stability and toughness of laminates, but I also really like a walnut stock.

I didn’t want to break the bank, so I just went with walnut-finished laminated stocks from Boyd’s for my Ruger American .22 WMR and Winchester Model 70 7mm Rem Mag.



Stay safe.

 

[kmw1954]

Finally got around to taking some photos.
Boyds At-One Thumbhole, Savage Model 11