.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 (3)

Post by Stubbles McBeard » 05 Jun 2016, 3:34 pm

Ooh that's gonna be pretty!
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Re: .308w custom build, Progress Update (4)

Post by Supaduke » 14 Jun 2016, 8:31 pm

So a bit more free time over the long weekend and a chance to advance the stock building a little further. First go at the forend

Started by using a router to carve a channel along each side of the forend.
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Added a little more builders bog and did some further refining of the butt. Started smoothing out some lines. Adjusted the underside to match the bottom metal profile. Still plenty of shaping and smoothing to go but it's getting there slowly.
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Next step will be creating an even flow in the lines of the stock, blending and smoothing it all out.
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Getting there slowly but surely. Pretty happy with the overall shape and proportions. The finesse stages, making it all flow together and be pleasing to the eye are next . A lot more sanding and shaping to be done.
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Re: .308w custom build, Progress Update (5)

Post by Supaduke » 22 Jun 2016, 6:58 pm

A little more progress. Working on smoothing the lines and getting a bit of flow. Also have a 10 round magazine on order. It's getting there slowly, I only really had a basic idea of what I wanted. The design and shaping has been quite organic. Rasping and sanding, rebuilding with bog when I'm not quite satisfied, it's a slow process when the design is all in your head. Anyway here is where I'm at....
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Re: .308w custom build, Progress Update (4)

Post by Mongrel » 22 Jun 2016, 9:53 pm

Looks great, would love to try this oneday, free time i got workshop like your oldmans i dont lol
Keep the pics and step by step coming. great read so far :)
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Re: .308w custom build, Progress Update (5)

Post by juststarting » 23 Jun 2016, 1:05 am

Excited to see it all come together.
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Re: .308w custom build, Progress Update (5)

Post by NukeBOMB88 » 23 Jun 2016, 10:43 pm

This looks great!
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Re: .308w custom build, Progress Update (5)

Post by Heckler303 » 24 Jun 2016, 10:25 am

Can I hire you to work for me? :D

Smashing job
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Re: .308w custom build, Progress Update (5)

Post by Supaduke » 24 Jun 2016, 12:08 pm

Cheers fellas!! My next step will be to fit a wooden barrel that sits at exactly the same height as the howa action, I will then make some timber scope mounts to sit the scope on and fine tune the stock and mount height so I get good eye alignment. Next step after that will be a second blank once the first is completed. The second one will be cut to precise measurements and won't have any bog. The first blank has all been done by eye and there are little bits that are not completely squared up or true. Only get one go at cutting the Blackwood so I want to be absolutely sure of the shape and measurements. Pine blanks cost me less than $10
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Re: .308w custom build, Progress Update (5)

Post by Supaduke » 25 Jun 2016, 4:40 pm

Bit more shaping around the trigger guard recess and around the butt. Also installed a sling stud on the forend and popped a Harris 6-9 notched bipod in to see how it sits. Popped it onto the bench in a shooting position and it shoulders beautifully. Working on the lines more and more, getting some nice symmetry and flow. Next step is fitting the wooden barrel.
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sling stud
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with bipod
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Re: .308w custom build, Progress Update (5)

Post by Mongrel » 25 Jun 2016, 5:01 pm

Even though this is your "Rough" copy......damn its sexy
Keep the pics coming :)
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Re: .308w custom build, Progress Update (5)

Post by MalleeFarmer » 25 Jun 2016, 6:02 pm

That looks real good!! I was lazy and put my hard earned down on a GRS
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Re: .308w custom build, Progress Update (MK2)

Post by Supaduke » 31 Jul 2016, 10:53 pm

Finally some more free time. Been a bit of a struggle lately getting any.

Ventured down to Ballarat to visit the old man and make use of the shed. Put together a new pine blank and went to work making version 2.0 of my rifle stock.

Having a pattern to work off made things much quicker this time round. A lot more simple measure and cut rather than painstaking shaping and sanding. Everything measured and square.

So far have done all the basic shaping with a bandsaw, table saw and drill press. The refinements and ideas from stock mk1 have been incorporated and all the main cuts have been made. The idea for this one is to fully inlet the stock and use no bog at all.
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Radius cuts and outlay
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Mk1 and Mk2
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mk1 and mk2
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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.
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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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