Carbon, stainless, and wood......

[LoonWulf]

Ive been on a wood stock kick lately, and when a used BDL stock came up in the BST i grabbed it for my .280AI.
Interestingly the stocks about 6oz lighter than my factory synthetic with the butt cuff installed. Ill probably core the butt a bit to push weight farther forward, as its a little tail heavy at the moment, and it will only get worse with the addition of a heavier pad.



I'm still in the process of fitting the stock to the action but so far ive opened the barrel channel for the significantly heavier profile carbon barrel, relieved the necessary spots for the side bolt release and slightly different bottom metal Christensen uses, and removed the old bedding material. Ive also filled some of the deeper dents and dings tho the stock was in good condition as it arrived.

Right now its been rebedded and is waiting for that to cure.

I did grab some pictures test while i was fitting the barrel channel.



Ill get some better pictures up when i get it finalized. Im still waffling on Cerakoting the stainless black......I kinda like it the way it is tho.

 

[rayatphonix]

looks like a stellar job opening up the barrel channel. That’s kept me from trying something like this. What tools did you use
?

 

[LoonWulf]

looks like a stellar job opening up the barrel channel. That’s kept me from trying something like this. What tools did you use
?

Thanks!

Chisels for initial material and bedding compound removal
3/4" sanding drum on hand drill for deepening and major material removal on edges of the barrel channel
dremel sanding drum for fine but quick material removal
Lots of elbow grease with sand paper and round backers for final shape and keeping the edges straight and clean (ish, i screwed up a couple times).
Final profile finishing was done with just hardbacked paper (cut up a belt from my sander).

Ive since sanded with 400 and given it a coat of clear to seal the channel.

 

[jmr40]

I've weighed a bunch of stocks just for informational purposes. People ASSUME synthetic is lighter. Most of the time they are virtually the same and often synthetic is heavier. Most stocks will be somewhere around 32 oz. (Wood or synthetic.) And that includes the standard fiberglass McMillan and other high-end stocks.

There are a handful of trimmer stocks that come in around 28-30 oz. The wood Remington Mountain Rifle stock and synthetic Ruger American stocks are both around 28 oz. It can vary a few ounces with wood. No 2 sticks of wood have exactly the same density even if the same size.

Stocks such as the B&C Medalist with the metal chassis molded in are typically much heavier than wood. Hogue is probably the heaviest and any laminated wood stock is very heavy.

You don't get a lighter stock until you get into the high-end synthetics made from Kevlar instead of fiberglass or plastic. Those will typically weigh 20-24 oz. Brown Precision makes a 16 oz stock.

You have to be careful if ordering an aftermarket stock. Some list weights without a butt pad. That will add 4-6 oz to the stocks weight.

 

[tark]

LoonWulf, that gun is as pretty as the state you live in!!

 

[LoonWulf]

LoonWulf, that gun is as pretty as the state you live in!!

Thanks Tark!

 

[LoonWulf]

I've weighed a bunch of stocks just for informational purposes. People ASSUME synthetic is lighter. Most of the time they are virtually the same and often synthetic is heavier. Most stocks will be somewhere around 32 oz. (Wood or synthetic.) And that includes the standard fiberglass McMillan and other high-end stocks.

There are a handful of trimmer stocks that come in around 28-30 oz. The wood Remington Mountain Rifle stock and synthetic Ruger American stocks are both around 28 oz. It can vary a few ounces with wood. No 2 sticks of wood have exactly the same density even if the same size.

Stocks such as the B&C Medalist with the metal chassis molded in are typically much heavier than wood. Hogue is probably the heaviest and any laminated wood stock is very heavy.

You don't get a lighter stock until you get into the high-end synthetics made from Kevlar instead of fiberglass or plastic. Those will typically weigh 20-24 oz. Brown Precision makes a 16 oz stock.

You have to be careful if ordering an aftermarket stock. Some list weights without a butt pad. That will add 4-6 oz to the stocks weight.

Christensen has their new FTF stocks coming in at about 20oz (short action) which is probably the lightest stock in the 500 dollar range.

Im considering getting one for my Mesa...complete with rhe leupy scope (whenever it gets back) would put the whole thing around 6lbs out the door.

 

[lightman]

Thats nice looking work! Its hard to beat the look of blue steel and wood! Most of my later purchases have been synthetic and stainless. I need to get back to the basics!

 

[troy fairweather]

I like it,

 

[Heir Kommt Die Sonne]

Was considering replacing the wood stock on one of my rifles but now I know it wouldn't make a difference. Wood is king

 

[45/30-06OKIE]

Nice rifle! Looks like you used some better tools for sanding the barrel channel than I did for my 25-06 build which consisted of me and dads hands and 80grit and 120grit sandpaper... I used a 3/4 PVC tee and a 19mm socket (iirc) for the shape. I think I took more off on the Right side of the channel than the left side but a dollar bill fits all the way to the barrel lug just fine so it is what it is. I used tung oil and it turned out really nice actually. And it's a NOS factory Remington stock so it literally looks like it came like that from the factory lol.
Also, it seems like you really like 7mm!

 

[LoonWulf]

Was considering replacing the wood stock on one of my rifles but now I know it wouldn't make a difference. Wood is king

You have to be choosy and usually pay more to make a significant difference, but as JMR said, you CAN cut about a pound with a premium quality synthetic (or sometimes a cheapy one my Mossberg patriot stocks weights something like a pound). Stability can be more important than weight tho, and even cheap synthetics are more stable than good wood stocks.....still I LIKE wood......

Nice rifle! Looks like you used some better tools for sanding the barrel channel than I did for my 25-06 build which consisted of me and dads hands and 80grit and 120grit sandpaper... I used a 3/4 PVC tee and a 19mm socket (iirc) for the shape. I think I took more off on the Right side of the channel than the left side but a dollar bill fits all the way to the barrel lug just fine so it is what it is. I used tung oil and it turned out really nice actually. And it's a NOS factory Remington stock so it literally looks like it came like that from the factory lol.
Also, it seems like you really like 7mm!

7s are my favorites. Ive had everything from a 7-30 waters to the STW and Nosler.
And while ill freely admit there really isn't anything special about any particular caliber. Less so now that the twists are tightening up across the board.
The 7s still FEEL like the perfect balance to me.

 

[LoonWulf]

Aaaannnnd PAU!

I gotta do some final finish filling and polish, so ill grab pictures outside after that, but heres the complete work.

I did run into some issue i wasnt expecting, and didnt catch till final fitment.
The Christensen stock is a little taller than the 700, so when fitted flush the mag box jammed, floor plate release jammed against the trigger, and the bolt hit the front action screw. Thus i had to sit the bottom metal a little proud.
If i get too frustrated with the look ill grab 700 botom metal, mag box and screws.

 

[LoonWulf]

I think ill stay with rhe stainless action and bits....all black would look good too, but i like the contrast.
Guns officially all set up and ready to resight.

 

[troy fairweather]

Kinda like when kimber did the stainless/blued guns, I like it. Tho a light sendero barrel would be more fitting I think.

 

[.45Coltguy]

You did some really nice work there LoonWulf and it shows. Can't wait for the sight in.

 

[LoonWulf]

Kinda like when kimber did the stainless/blued guns, I like it. Tho a light sendero barrel would be more fitting I think.

Yeah big ol barrel looks a little odd, less so in person tho.

You did some really nice work there LoonWulf and it shows. Can't wait for the sight in.

Hopefully Saturday ill get out and shoot it, if I did everything right it will be on still lol.

 

[troy fairweather]

What is your round count on that barrel, be fun to ream it out to 28nos when the 280 throat starts going lol.

 

[Legionnaire]

Very nice! Love it when a project comes together.

 

[LoonWulf]

What is your round count on that barrel, be fun to ream it out to 28nos when the 280 throat starts going lol.

I dont tightly remember the round count, 500+ by now id guess.

When it does start to go maybe ill yank the barrel and put it on my Mesa LR before having a new one spun onto this reciever. I could ream it to anything 7mm and magnum based at that point.

 

[troy fairweather]

I dont tightly remember the round count, 500+ by now id guess.

When it does start to go maybe ill yank the barrel and put it on my Mesa LR before having a new one spun onto this reciever. I could ream it to anything 7mm and magnum based at that point.

To bad they didn't leave more shank then you could set it back and get more life out of it. Think of I ever do a carbon it will not be a barrel burner, I'd go 7-08/308 or a smaller 6mm.

 

[Heir Kommt Die Sonne]

What if you loaded some cartridges with black powder and shot them through that barrel?

 

[45/30-06OKIE]

To bad they didn't leave more shank then you could set it back and get more life out of it. Think of I ever do a carbon it will not be a barrel burner like 7-08/308 or a smaller 6mm.

I would think for hunting and light plinking an all carbon stock and 20in carbon barrel 30-06 would be an interesting concept. Especially with a big suppressor. Stealthy, light, and plenty deadly (with some 165gr Speer Boat Tail Soft Points) to reasonable hunting distances.

 

[LoonWulf]

To bad they didn't leave more shank then you could set it back and get more life out of it. Think of I ever do a carbon it will not be a barrel burner, I'd go 7-08/308 or a smaller 6mm.

Yeah there isnt much left there to turn. Could probably still set it back once tho.

What if you loaded some cartridges with black powder and shot them through that barrel?

Bore would get dirty real quick, and velocity would be low.....barrel life would probably be great tho lol.

I would think for hunting and light plinking an all carbon stock and 20in carbon barrel 30-06 would be an interesting concept. Especially with a big suppressor. Stealthy, light, and plenty deadly (with some 165gr Speer Boat Tail Soft Points) to reasonable hunting distances.

It would certainly be a neat rig, and effective.

 

[Heir Kommt Die Sonne]

barrel life would probably be great tho lol.

Black powder guns don't often need replaced barrels.

I once fired black powder out of a 7mm. Bullet still traveled quite fast, I was impressed. Also was still accurate. Haven't tried it again since because it did make the gun dirty.