.308w custom build, Shaping Update (MK2)

Improving and repairing firearms. Rifle bedding, barrel work, stock replacement and other ways to improve your firearms.

Re: .308w custom build, Progress Update (MK2)

Post by Supaduke » 23 Oct 2016, 10:08 pm

So it's been a little while since I've had time to work on my .308 project. This Sunday I finally found some. Went down to Ballarat to visit the folks and make use of the old mans workshop.

Made a start on inletting and ended up making some good progress.
First step was drilling the action holes and making sure they were square. If you ever decide to make your own stock, this is without doubt the most critical step.
If you don't get them square and centered the rest is a waste of time.
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Measure, measure and measure again
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Bench drill for the win
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Spade bits for angled drilling
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Holes done, next step was to wrap the barrelled action in electrical tape to protect it
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Wrap it up
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Re: .308w custom build, Progress Update (MK2)

Post by Supaduke » 23 Oct 2016, 10:27 pm

Having already marked out my centreline I set up a jig to use with a reverse table mounted router. I also set a stopper to ensure consistent lengths of cut.
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Router jig
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Inletting
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I moved the jig in and out as required to make different width cuts. Starting at the narrowest cuts and then widening where needed.
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Inletting taking shape
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I also used a hole cutting bit to remove quite a bit of meat out of the magazine well recess.
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Mag well
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So the basic shape and lines are there. The next step will be all chisels, files and sandpaper as I work the action into the stock. I have the action seated about 2/3 of the way in. Really glad I went with a second pine blank as I learned a few lessons about inletting.
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Partially seated action
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Getting there
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So that's where we're at. I will keep you guys posted as progress continues
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Re: .308w custom build, Progress Update (MK2)

Post by MalleeFarmer » 24 Oct 2016, 7:12 am

Looking good Duke.. very impressive.
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Re: .308w custom build, Progress Update (MK2)

Post by Supaduke » 24 Oct 2016, 10:14 pm

More tinkering tonight. Got the action fully seated and sitting nicely. Made a few minor errors along the way and learnt more about what order to do things in. Mainly to make sure you get all your measurements and lines done when the stock is basically untouched and square.

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Opening the barrel channel
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Seated
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Pine ,being soft ,is also quite crumbly and unforgiving when being worked with chisels do I may need a few tiny spots of bog to touch up a few places.

I roughed out the tang area, made a bolt recess so I can work the action and have it in place when I seat the bottom metal

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Tang
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Bolt recess
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Still very rough but I'm starting to see it come together which is encouraging. Plenty more to do and learn before I start on the final stock.

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Seated
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Mock up with scope
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Re: .308w custom build, Progress Update (MK2)

Post by Supaduke » 29 Oct 2016, 8:10 pm

Bit more work tonight roughing out the bottom metal inletting. All done with chisels, rasps, files and sandpaper. Not 100% squared up yet but it will be in time. At the moment it's just about getting things to fit. The pine is soft and not overly suitable for chisel work but it will do.
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Inletting
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Bottom Metal inletting
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I got some lamp oil to use in a small burner so I can soot the action and fit it perfectly. As it stands, I have left the inletting purposely slightly undersized. This is so I can square it up and relieve it where needed with the help of soot.

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Coming together
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Action and DBM seated
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The magazine is actually a .223 legacy 10 shot mag from another Howa. It will eventually be an AI steel mag when I get around to buying it.

I also attached a sling stud and bipod for visual reference.
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Bipod attached.
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It's still rough but I'm happy with the progress. Next step is to refine the inletting then I will begin shaping the stock.
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Re: .308w custom build, Inletting Update (MK2)

Post by Supaduke » 30 Oct 2016, 7:44 pm

A lazy Sunday afternoon and I got some time to tinker.

Practised sooting the action and relieving the inletting where required. Those ol timer gunsmiths really were clever bastards. Such an effective way to do minute adjustments. I used the tin out of a tikki torch filled with lamp oil and citronella. Gives a nice steady adjustable flame and produces a lot of soot.
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Tikki torch
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So I got the action nicely seated and learned a few refinements along the way. Feeling confident now about inletting the final stock.

Next step was to begin put some contour and shape into the stock. Once again it's all about chisels, rasps and sand paper. I also used a sharp knife where I needed to cut across the grain. I also used a steel rule to give me straight edges and provide a buffer.

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Chisel
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Knife
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Sandpaper
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Can't complain, got a nice straight edge and recessed the buttstock nice and neat.
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Buttstock
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I also put some shape into the grip area so it's getting there.
Plenty of shaping and refinement to go but here is where it's at.
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Left side
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Left side
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Re: .308w custom build, Shaping Update (MK2)

Post by Supaduke » 01 Nov 2016, 10:35 pm

Day off for cup day so I got a bit of free time. Today I started putting some shape and contours into the stock. The idea behind my stock shape is , being a bench or prone only rifle, you grip with your right hand and your left hand tucks underneath. It will be a right hand only stock. I think it will be nice having a large grip area for my off hand.

Started out just removing some material with a chisel, getting a basic shape.
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Grip
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I then put some fairly sharp angles along the hip line to really give the stock a distinct shape.
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Angles
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This was done with a sanding block and just being careful to maintain the angle.
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Butt
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As well as more shaping and straightening of the thumb hole.
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Butt
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Mainly working on symmetry and getting the lines of the stock pleasing to the eye.
So this is my current progress. Next step will be more refinement on the buttstock then begin work on the forend.
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Stock progress
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Stock progress
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Re: .308w custom build, Shaping Update (MK2)

Post by Smokey » 01 Nov 2016, 11:51 pm

Any chance you could clean up one end of the blackwood slab and show me a pic of what the radial grain is doing? We might have a problem.
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Re: .308w custom build, Shaping Update (MK2)

Post by Supaduke » 02 Nov 2016, 11:42 am

I don't have access to the slab right at the moment it's at the ol mans house. What sort of problem are you thinking?
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Re: .308w custom build, Shaping Update (MK2)

Post by Smokey » 02 Nov 2016, 11:55 am

Looking at the slab, It looks quarter cut. Riffle stocks need to be radial cut. Like an axe handle where the growth rings run from top to bottom looking at it sectionally. If it is radial cut, Keep that sap wood away from the grip and breech area.
Timbers maximum modulus of elasticity runs with the radial grain, Like a base ball bat. It will flex one way from an impact but break if impacted just 45Deg around, Or on the tangential side.

Also, If you can tell me where that slab grew(Tas, NSW etc), I can give you a rough idea of its mechanical properties as opposed to say Black wallnut and other timbers used for gun stocks
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Re: .308w custom build, Shaping Update (MK2)

Post by Supaduke » 02 Nov 2016, 3:46 pm

It's an old growth slab of tassie blackwood. All the sapwood will
be trimmed off, only using heartwood. Not sure of the cut tbh. I don't think it's a proper quarter cut.
Last edited by Supaduke on 02 Nov 2016, 5:06 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: .308w custom build, Shaping Update (MK2)

Post by Smokey » 02 Nov 2016, 4:27 pm

Looking at the pic, The RH side of the slab has a bit of radial cut and most of the LH side is quarter cut to some degree.
The most I would go is 60 deg at the grip / receiver area. Its a fairly thick slab so you might be able to take your stock from an angle rather than the slab sides. Check it out first as its a real important part of a good stock.
Go check all the guns you can look at and remove the but plate to see what I mean.
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Re: .308w custom build, Shaping Update (MK2)

Post by Supaduke » 02 Nov 2016, 5:17 pm

Thanks for the advice. Yes you are right, from memory the right hand side, especially the bottom is radial cut and it straightens out into longer straighter grain as you go higher and left. Where the top of the grip meets the spine of the stock was a concern because of the short grain. I was thinking I would pin up through the centre of the grip with some rippled dowel to reinforce it.

Yes the slab is very thick, I like your idea to cut on a bit of an angle. Being a benchrest rifle the stock will also be quite thick and heavy for a little added strength and rigidity.

Funnily enough when I first spoke to a stock maker about getting the inletting done, before I decided to do it myself, the first thing he insisted on was being quarter cut.

I have looked at many stocks and certainly the more basic ones seem quarter cut. The fancier ones have a more sloped figure.
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Re: .308w custom build, Shaping Update (MK2)

Post by Smokey » 02 Nov 2016, 6:50 pm

Id say the gunsmith is a good gunsmith but possibly got his wood terminology arse about.

Diving boards are quarter cut as that is there the spring is best. A fired gun recoils with muzzle rise. and your holding onto the grip, which is the weak point. I too have seen poor stocks and seen pics of failed ones too.
Sorry for being a pain but I'd rather see you with the right stock, Or possibly save the blackwood for a nice table top.
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Re: .308w custom build, Shaping Update (MK2)

Post by Supaduke » 25 Mar 2017, 10:45 pm

Project has been on hiatus for a few months as I have been a bit busy. Finally got around to collecting a few more bits:
- an AICS compatible accurate mag with blinder plate removed for longer OAL.
- a DNZ one piece scope mount, have heard good things, thought I would try one.

Got it all mounted up and I'm quite pleased with the overall look and feel. A few mods to make now that I have a bit more hardware mounted.

Will need to shorten the length of pull by about 10-15mm as I'm not entirely satisfied with the current eye relief.

The comb will need to be lowered about 5-10mm as I'm having to adopt an unnatural position to get my eye lined up with the scope.

The whole action needs to move about 5mm forward or bring the handle back about the same distance to get a more relaxed trigger pull. Currently my finger feels slightly crammed up in the trigger guard.

Grip handle needs to be reduced in both width and length for a slightly more comfortable feel and to be able to wrap my thumb a bit further around.

Still deciding on what shape the forend will be

Next bit of hardware will be an atlas bipod and piccatinny mounting rail.

Anyway here is where it's at.

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P.S there is electrical tape wrapped around the barrel to protect it in case you were wondering.
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Re: .308w custom build, Shaping Update (MK2)

Post by Heckler303 » 26 Mar 2017, 10:11 am

I'm gonna say this, this is probably the best WIP on the whole forum yet. What you are doing with this is friggin' fantastic.
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Re: .308w custom build, Shaping Update (MK2)

Post by Supaduke » 21 Oct 2017, 9:19 pm

This project was put on the back burner for a little while. Having a baby in the house makes the use of tools a challenge. If I wake the little Basta..I mean lovely little fellow up I get grief lol.
He's a bit older now so I will get the project fired back up.

I now have all the hardware required.
Howa .308 Varmint Barreled action
DNZ medium one piece scope mount
Accurate mag 10 shot steel magazine
PTG bottom metal
Meopta 6-18x50 BDC scope
Chinese clone Atlas bipod. ( Seems really good, thanks Gwion)
3 inch pic rail for bipod (eBay)

I will post some progress pics in the next week or so.
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Re: .308w custom build, Shaping Update (MK2)

Post by juststarting » 21 Oct 2017, 9:43 pm

Ooooo, you've spawned... Congrats.
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Re: .308w custom build, Shaping Update (MK2)

Post by Supaduke » 21 Oct 2017, 10:29 pm

It keeps happening, not sure how, maybe I need to read a book.
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Re: .308w custom build, Shaping Update (MK2)

Post by MalleeFarmer » 22 Oct 2017, 1:51 pm

Supaduke wrote:It keeps happening, not sure how, maybe I need to read a book.


My wife just had our 3rd.. Sex seems to cost even more than shooting. Fun factor is similar. But those kids sure do drain you of time for other hobbies...
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