People, who love shooting and have an extensive interest in this sporty task, may possibly have the query: “How to make a rifle stock”.
Well, a rifle is a famous firearm utilized in terms of hunting and made for being fired from the shoulder. The portion which comes in touch with your shoulder is named as a stock, but sometimes it’s also called as a shoulder stock or a butt stock.
The rifle is the particular kind of weapon exactly due to the stock. Actually, the rifle stock offers a complete assistance to the firearm and thereby, improves its target and the whole functionalities.
So, if you also a collector or an owner of rifles, you perhaps want to know how to make a rifle stock.
Hence, let us have a discussion regarding making a rifle stock through this tutorial. Read on to know the products you will need and the steps of making a rifle stock.
Don’t forget to check out further in-depth information on best Scopes & Sights, and Gun Accessories in our blog!
What You Will Need?
A rifle stock can be designed in many ways with more adjustments; however, we know that adjustments add cost, complexity, and weight to the stock. You possibly would not require adjusting your rifle stock. You can only sacrifice the speed of adjustment for simplicity.
So, just cut away all the parts those are unnecessary, as inletting is one of the more difficult and time-consuming parts of making a stock.
Suppose you are making the rifle stock from the first time and so you must have planned on painting it from the outset – thereby making the creating procedure a little less stressful since errors can be corrected without it being as definite as it would be on a natural wooden rifle stock.
We are sure that you don’t want to do even a small compromise in this structural integrity between this technique and matching the stock from a sturdy piece.
Well, before we start discussing the step-by-step instructions on how to make a rifle stock, let us first make you know the items you will need to complete the entire task. These products include:
- Measuring tape
- Power saw
- Wood board (walnut)
- Cloth
- Bandsaw
- Plexiglas
- Sandpaper
- Chisel
- Wood primer
- Metal stock hardware
- Lacquer or Wood glass
Read more information about best scopes for SKS rifles if you want to know how to improve your rifle’s sight for your next hunting!
Step-By-Step Instructions:
Step-1: Identify the style of your rifle
At first, start with identifying the specific style of your rifle. If you’re searching for replacing the worn-out and old rifle stock, you possibly just copy the design. However, in case you want to enhance your rifle’s look, you must look up different sites which discuss the stock design so you can select an accurate size and shape.
Step-2: Plan & Design your rifle stock
You must plan and design the stock to the smallest description. In order to see how it looks like after finishing, you can draw the design and select the wood type also.
Remember that the wooden chosen by you for the stock requires being the highest standard, apart from being strong, resilient, and hard. One of the most fundamental wood types utilized for stocks is Walnut. If you have the dimensions and the plan, buy the necessary materials and collect all the required tools.
Note that the most critical dimensions are: drop at heel and drop at comb, the length of pull, pitch, and cast on and cast off.
Step-3: Check whether you have the perfect wood materials
Select a specific wood board like Walnut or another kind that is necessary to your rifle stock. Inspect the wood on every side to find out whether there is any knot, discoloration or other vulnerability.
Also, take care of the wooden grain patterns, since it requires looking healthy and, most significantly, you must spread in the longer dimension’s direction. In case you’re unable to see the wooden grains properly, pour a little amount of water to see it clearly.
Next, wipe the extra liquid fast with a dry and clean cloth, since the wood requires being completely dry.
Step-4: Usage of Plexiglas template for wood cutting and designing
In order to design and cut the wood with a saw, make a Plexiglas template. Next, hold this template against the wood board and look through it for seeing whether the grains are placed and directed. Since this is a transparent template, you can see the best position for the stock.
You can use a marker for drawing around the Plexiglas template and just keep the place of stock cutting marked.
Step-5: Cutting the profile
This step drives to the wood cutting as per needed length, following the marked template’s edges. Ensure to add one to two additional inches for shaping and styling. Utilize a power saw in this step and ensure to shield yourself during its usage.
Step-6: Shaping & Sculpting
Use a Bandsaw for shaping the template so that you can have a finer as well as more detailed cutting. Ensure not to cut inside the lines.
Step-7: More Shaping & Sculpting
Use sandpaper and a chisel to shape the stock into its ultimate form. Treat the sides and edges with using chisel and sandpaper for adding shadow lines and also other elements. Ensure to accomplish an ergonomic shape of the stock that offers a firm fit and consistent grip also.
During this step, check the shape timely so you can feel it on your shoulder or in hands. Checking the stock against the rifle is also needed. Ensure to attach the stock smoothly and firmly to the rifle when it’s completed.
Step-8: Hardware & Assembly
Attach the hardware or metal part which will slowly be mounted to your rifle. Utilize a chisel for carving the position for the hardware and then attach it with solid wood glue and finally leave it for a few hours in a vise to make it harder and dry.
Step-9: Painting
Use a wood primer layer and next let it dry totally. Now, you can see the wood grain and pattern’s beauty more clearly.
Step-10: Finishing
Apply a coat of wood lacquer or gloss to the rifle stock in order to finish it. Utilize a soft, fine brush with natural fibers for applying the lacquer or gloss and ensure to permit a layer for drying and hardening before adding the second one.
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Conclusion
So, this is all about how to make a rifle stock. We hope you find this tutorial really useful and feel motivated for doing it your own as well. We will recommend you to check and try various shapes and designs for your rifle and never be afraid to do something creative. Try to make the rifle stock not just from strong and sturdy wood but also from epoxy-enhanced and laminated wood.
These days, this option is becoming more and more popular among the rifle collectors. Note that you need to be cautious while working with any carpentry tool and wear a dust mask, safety goggles, and strong protective gloves always.
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I am Jerry Gonzalez, and my heart beats for the great outdoors, especially in the breathtaking landscapes of Helena, Montana. Engaging with fellow enthusiasts online and at local hunting clubs has been a rewarding experience, and I find great joy in sharing knowledge and experiences with like-minded individuals. My goal is to empower my fellow hunters with well-informed choices, regardless of their experience level.