Stock making question

[handirifle]

I have a project 338 Win Mag rifle and was wanting a new stock.  I like the look of the Savage Euro Classic but want one on laminated for wet weather hunts and a little extra weight to absorb some recoil.



Haven't found any I really like (for what I want to pay) as it seems something is always a bit not to my liking.  Oh, yes, it's left handed also, which limits the market too.

Sooo, I'm thinking of making my own.  I've built custom takedown recurve bows and longbows before so I can handle the shaping of the outside, but what specific tools should I have to make the inside and barrel channel?

[gunnut69]

If you start with a pre-turned  stock all you'll likely need for the barrel is sand paper and dowels of various diameters and a few inches long. I use a tool called a CurlCut that was made by Daiton-Traister and a shaving type cutter made by GunLine. These last are likely the best as they cut very smoothly and resist gouging and skipping out. I much prefer the model with 2 handles for improved control. You will of course need a vise to hold the stock secure and Guide screws to control the metals entry into the stock. These are simply headless screws of a diameter/thread pitch proper for the action screws on the rifle being inlet. Good sharp chisels and carving tools can also help in some of the out of the way areas.. You will also need a transfer medium to paint on the barreled action to leave spots on the wood which you then scrape away. Thus little by little letting the metal into the wood. I use the cheapest lip sticks I can find a WalMart(bright red of course) which is melted in a microwave.. Be very careful to not shatter the bowl. With this I mix a bit of oil used by artists to smooth their paint and a bit of Vaseline to keep it soft. I use an old peanut butter jar(plastic and not breakable) with a small hole in the lid. An old artists brush is inserted thru the hole and used to paint the metal work. Easily removed with nearly any solvent and usually leaves a nice visible mark on the wood. Really few tools and supplies but a good source of information, other than here of course, is in the Sweeney book 'Professional Stock Making'. There are others of course but he is the most professional and consistent that I've read..

[handirifle]

OK thanks, will look into the book.