I'm sacking my thumbhole stock on my 22-250 on a mauser action to due lack of confidence ! Bedding has been redone , so bugger it I'm going custom
My local stock maker has jarrah , Marri , she oak and walnut available among other timbers , I've got a stock the same as croakys ( see trentech varminter) and like it a lot , anyone got any ideas for a rifle with a 24" heavy barrel used mainly out the window on a rest and over the bonnet on a sandbag . Might pass on another thumbhole thanks , let the shitfight begin !
Seriously though, if your going "custom" id buy some turkish "fancy" walnut out of the states and hand it to your stockmaker. some gorgeous blanks from $600us up to $30,000-$40,000us
They are spectacular though, even the ones under 1K are just exquisite.
As for stock shape, I have got no idea. But, I do like the shape of the classic BDL.
G'day BP,
well it comes down mechanically to the density of the wood, if it is dense, it will be heavy, sometimes very heavy, next consider stiffness, and resistance to damage (toughness) and stability, you do not want it moving due to seasonal changes in humidity or living in say Tassie and going hunting Alice Springs and finding the free floating barrel has now got heavy pressure as the stock dries out. Traditionally walnut fits the bill on "most" of these criteria.
Then consider the bling (cosmetic) factor, basically you have to like the look of it or you will hate it for as long as you own it. BUT it must perform, no point if it doesn't handle, its too heavy, or doesn't feel "right".
Most of those timbers have been used on stocks before, ask plenty of questions, compare all the answers as there is no "right" answer, just what you prefer and what characteristics you are willing to compromise on.
Welcome to customisation!
PS TH stocks do not allow you to shoot wrong hand if you ever need to, worth considering. I've had to from rabbits, foxes and goats.........
Hope this helps
Cheerio Ned
The McMillan a5 style works in timber! I think someone on here had a beautiful she oak stock , Trevort maybe ?
Yes Ned the thumbholes don't allow for weak hand shots , I liked mine to shoot but it would never group as well as the old shit stock that came with it , and your right handed mates can't use it either ( gives them an excuse when they miss )
trevort wrote:No not me. What sort if stock are you getting rid of?
It was a Boyd's featherweight thumbhole left handed that was modified to have a 2.5" wide fore end filled with epoxy and painted tacticool black ! No sentimental value type stock
BP72 wrote:The McMillan a5 style works in timber! I think someone on here had a beautiful she oak stock , Trevort maybe ?
Yes Ned the thumbholes don't allow for weak hand shots , I liked mine to shoot but it would never group as well
as the old shit stock that came with it , and your right handed mates can't use it either ( gives them an excuse when they miss )
BP72,
That is why I like ambi thumbholes!
Passenger side.
Drivers side.
I am making a pattern for one of these with a few changes.
Longer grip and deeper butt.
A longer and parallel forend.
Mine will be walnut and finished by resident stock rubber!
Like that one Glenn , nice steep pistol grip could be used as a regular or thumbhole whatever is required for the shot. Just had a quick look at the offending shitbox stock and found the problem!
I recon the HS precision varmint stock is about perfect for a truck rifle under spotlight. I have used thumbholes have an A3 and a nice walnut sako 75 copy stock and still find the HS precision the best especially the non palm swell one
I am making a pattern for one of these with a few changes.
Longer grip and deeper butt.
A longer and parallel forend.
Mine will be walnut and finished by resident stock rubber!
Glenn[/quote]
Hmmmm, Glenn I have the same stock on my JAB with the forend slimmed down. It cost too much and wasnt exactly what I wanted but was the only thumbhole I could get for a CZ at the time.
The only thing more interesting than the pattern you come up with will be what you will charge to make another
