Savage 10 stock help

[TennHunter]

Hello all, I just joined THR so this is my first post here. I already posted this same question on another forum but didn't get much help, so perhaps I will here. I'd like to start doing some of my own work on my firearms, but at this point I have very little experience doing anything more than general basic maintenance. I'm hoping someone can help me out with a little problem. I've got a Savage model 10 with the cheap factory injection molded stock and I need to shorten the LOP on it some. I plan to replace this stock with something much better in the future, but for now its what I've got to work with. I don't know for sure but I'm pretty sure the whole stock all the way to the butt is hollow so I wouldn't think it would be to tough to cut some length off, but I've never cut a rifle stock before and need some input on the best procedure and tools for that material. I don't want to tear it up.
I'm also not sure how the butt pad comes off. There are no screw heads visible, just two very small holes in the end of the pad. Obviously the same pad will not fit properly once any length is cut from the stock, so I guess I'll have to trim the existing one to size or replace it with something else. I wouldn't mind that since the one from the factory doesn't seem to do much.
I wish I knew more about doing such work, but anyway, that's why I'm asking you folks. If any of you have ever done such a job on a stock like this I'd appreciate any info or advice.

 

[redbullitt]

I would guess that the small holes are over the screws? I would try and get a light in there to see if you can find a screw head. If not, it may be held on with adhesive.

I am not sure that it will work well being that the stock is hollow.

 

[Dave B]

I'm not sure about yours, but the new "Axis" with the plastic stock, has the pad held on with the rear sling stud and a little square pin on the top. You have to take the stud out 1st. Then push in the sq pin.

 

[gunplumber]

Most Savage pads remove with a phillips driver. Inside you will find it hollow with a small rib running the length of the top and bottom that is used to secure the pad with scws. A problem will be seen when you cut the stock and find the ribs to screw in to willl not now meet the distance or span of the scw spacing in the new pad. I fix this by cutting the ribs back about .5in with a Dremel tool or chisel and making a hardwood plate to epoxy into the stock end. Be sure your stock is cut straight and flat, glue the plate in, screw on the new pad (which should be slightly oversize) scribe a line around the stock on the pad, remove the pad to grind to the scribe then reattach the pad to the stock. If you do not have a jig to aid in the grinding process it will be quite easy to get the angle of the toe wrong. Good luck.