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Custom stock - what wood to use?

BlueTicBlueTic Member Posts: 4,072
edited July 2002 in General Discussion
Ok - I have a messed up right hand and shoot left handed, but I still work the bolt with my right (don't ask - it's just easy for me). I want to do my own lefthand thumbhole stock - inletted for a righthand bolt. Most likely I would try this on my .280 Mauser. Now for the question - I could use Walnut (I don't like laminated) but I just fell into a load of oak 4x6 and want to know the pittfalls other than the weight. What do you use??

IF YOU DON'T LIKE MY RIGHTS - GET OUT OF MY COUNTRY (this includes politicians)
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Comments

  • drachdrach Member Posts: 130 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The Oak in that size of stock has probably not been dried correctly even if kiln dried, you would run the risk of anything you made from it warping or checking. Oak also has large pores in it and the finish would then have to be built up to make it smooth. Walnut if you can find it in the proper thickness is not that expensive and it does not have the large pores in it making it easier to finish and personal opinion Walnut is a much nicer looking wood.

    Quemadmoeum gladis nemeinum occidit, occidentis telum est ("A sword is never a killer, it's a tool in the killer's hands") ~~ Lucius Annaeus Seneca "the younger" ca. (4 BC - 65 AD)
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  • 22WRF22WRF Member Posts: 3,385
    edited November -1
    Here is a link for Walnut blanks
    http://www.bullberry.com/blanks.html

    I Refuse to be a VictimGrumpy old man

    Life, Liberty, and Pursuit of All Those that Threaten it
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  • cbxjeffcbxjeff Member Posts: 17,643 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I considered making a custom stock for an Austrian Voere rifle I have. Look in Shotgun News. There are a number of guys that sell anything from stock blanks to the finished product. Many have web-sites.

    Good luck,

    cbxjeffIt's too late for me, save yourself.
    It's too late for me, save yourself.
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  • hunter280manhunter280man Member Posts: 705 ✭
    edited November -1
    Blue tic, you have great tasts in weapondry! I have also used maple with good succes, altho mostly on muzzloaders it also looks very different and sharp with a good stain.

    Another place to get various stock is Richards gun stocks, I am not sure how to contact them but I am sure someone around here has the address. They used to specialize in thumb hole stocks and custom orders. Its been years since I've built a modern rifle, hope this helps.

    Though I was born to royalty, I was snatched at birth, so treat me as the noble I am!!!
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  • pigeoncreek1pigeoncreek1 Member Posts: 217 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I get my blanks from this guy...he has some of the nicest stuff that I've seen. I would go with walnut, maple or myrtlewood.

    http://www.gunstockblanks.com/

    Gun control is hitting your target
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  • n/an/a Member Posts: 168,427 ✭
    edited November -1
    Birds eye Maple,, prettiest natural wood ther is

    "A wise man is a man that realizes just how little he knows"
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  • Shootist3006Shootist3006 Member Posts: 4,171
    edited November -1
    I've always liked bird's eye or shell maple. If I were to make a custom stock (a LOT of work BTW) I would go with one of those.

    Quod principi placuit legis habet vigorem.Semper Fidelis
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  • VarmintmistVarmintmist Member Posts: 1,074 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Anyone ever make a stock out of locust??? That wood when dry is hard as a mother and it would be a cast iron bear to work probably have to start with a chain saw, but it would probably be the most ding resistant stock around. I have a bunch of good sized locust that needs to come down and the thought crossed my mind. Also have some cherry that was dinged up 20 years ago by loggers, and it will never be marketable. It will come down for firewood and to make room for the healthy ones to grow. Woodlot management is new to me, but the state forester is just a phone call away.

    I understand the principal for cutting blanks from a tree. What would you need to do in order to dry it properly (any wood) to keep it from warping?

    Those people who see nothing but grey areas, no black and white, are lost in the fog.
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  • NighthawkNighthawk Member Posts: 12,022 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I prefer the oak myself,but you must Please yourself.

    Rugster
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  • agloreaglore Member Posts: 6,012
    edited November -1
    Use the oak. Slice it lengthwise and then laminate the pieces together in the opposit direction of how they were cut. This will create a much stronger stock as every other piece is running against the grain from which it was cut. This is the method used by Artistry in Woods out of Montana. He makes some beautiful stocks. I have one on my 500 AHR but mine is walnut.

    AlleninAlaska

    Free men are not equal and equal men are not free
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  • kgnovumkgnovum Member Posts: 594 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    If you have the money and want a very unique piece - take a look at "Zebra" wood... It's hard to find but sure is pretty. KG


    Check this link for pictures of guitars made with it and do a general search for "Zebra + Wood" on any search engine for more info.

    http://www.angelfire.com/ab3/bbarrett3/page74.html


    Edited by - kgnovum on 07/30/2002 20:10:04
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