Stock Project Help

[SciGuy]

Good morning folks.  So I'm here working my 14th out of 29 straight days without a break.  Since today consists of a lot of waiting with brief spurts of intense of effort, I thought I'd spend the down time flushing out my latest stock project.  I have modified the current stock on my AR2079a a fair bit and doing so have come up with what I want to incorporate into a new stock.

Using a new AR2079a stock as a starting point I want to modify it into a dual use Field Target/Benchrest stock.    In planning and costing things it has become apparent that I could use a bit of help. 

I really need a competent woodworker with a bandsaw, drill press, and router to make a couple cuts, drill a couple holes, and rout a slot for me.  I obviously pay all shipping and a fee for the help.  While the work is not overally challenging and I would rather do it myself, I can't justify the purchase of the equipment at this time.

Attached are some diagrams of what I want to do.  Briefly, I want to cut the cheek riser free and drill for 5/8" D-Post and use a 1 1/8" Set Screw Collar to lock in the post.  And I want the base of the butt cut to be parallel with the action.  I will mount a tube here that will ride on the rear sandbag during BR.  Finally the forestock will be cut as shown and inletted for an Anshutz rail.

If anyone wants to help me please let me know.  Again, I just need the cutting drilling and inletting done.  I will handle the mounting of all hardware and the finish work.

Thanks guys.

[SciGuy]

Here's a diagram of the final stock with hardware.  Anyone want to help on this project?

[SciGuy]

So I'll be tackling thins project myself.  My stock was suppose to be delivered today, but appears to have liked the BBQ in Memphis so much that it hung around there for an extra day.  So maybe I'll have it early next week.

Since I'm doing without a drill press, I've decide to play with alternate ways of raising the cheek piece so the I don't need to drill any precise holes.

I'll try to document my progress here. 

[GarthThomas]

I was going to say that you might want two posts for that cheek piece, and maybe just shape the stock rather than put that piece of pipe there. JMO. Looks good otherwise. Keep it coming.

[SciGuy]

Garth,

The pipe has an additional purpose other than just riding the rear bag for benchrest.  I have a similar pipe on my current setup, I fill the tube with recovered lead to adjust the weight of the rifle to get it up to max BR weight and it lowers the center of gravity.  Lowering the CG really helps BR stability. 

Actually, for BR I'll remove the Morgan Pad and the cheek piece.  For FT I'll remove the tube and add in a front forearm riser.

[GarthThomas]

How about remove the recoil pad and drill a hole, then fill it with ballast.

[SciGuy]

That will add weight but wouldn't lower the center of gravity as much as having the tube as low as possible and adding weight there.  Also, by having the tube it makes it easily removable.

If I were just looking at adding weight, then your idea would be perfect.

[SciGuy]

Just a quick update.  My stock for this project arrived after a couple of detours around the country.  I'm hitting Home Depot and Lowes during lunch to pick up some needed tools and I have my order placed with McMaster and Carr for the D-Shaft and Set-Screw Collars. 

I'll take pics along the way and post updates as things progress.  I'm hoping to have the main part of the cutting done this weekend. 

I have decided to use the RAW adjustable butt instead of a Morgan Pad

[renowntwo]

Looking good, can't wait to see it installed

[SciGuy]

Got a bit of work done today    Al cutting done with a coping saw    I do not suggest y'all do this.  A band saw would have made this much easier.  Overall, I'm please with today's result.  Cheek rest has about 2 inches of adjustment and is very solid. 

Tomorrow I'll cut the forearm and inlet it for my Anshutz rail. 

The RAW Buttplate should be here on Monday.

[TleVta]

That's a nice clean cut with the coping saw. What are you going to refinish the wood with when you're done?

[SciGuy]

Thanks. For now I'm staining the new cuts Dark Cherry (nice match to the current finish).  However, once finished (provided I don't screw something up) I'm going to have it professionally painted. 

I want to cut all the work done and shoot with it for a bit to make sure I'm happy.  Then it will be off to the painter.

I've got a good bit more done today and will post an update shortly.

[SciGuy]

Here's my first update for today.  Finished up the Forearm work.  Guys, this wood is insanely dense and hard.  This stuff makes heart oak seem like pulp wood. If anyone knows what these AR2079a stocks are made from let me know.

Anyhow, cut the forearm and did the rough inletting for the Accessory Rail yesterday.  Finished that up this morning and cut, shaped, and filed smooth the rail.  The drilled and assembled everything. 

So far I am very pleased with how everything is turning out. 

Here's some pics of the forearm work.

[SciGuy]

Here are few more pics in the FT Setup and the BR Setup.  My RAW Adjustable Buttplate is due in tomorrow.  Once I fit and install it I will assemble everything and shot the rifle for a bit before I do the final cutting on the bottom of the rear of the for the BR tube.

I'm off to do some staining now.

[TleVta]

That does look like some kind of Oak. My personal preference would be to strip the original finish to match it, and then varnish, but it's your rig. Very interesting project. Carry on.

[SciGuy]

Mostly there.  Still finishing up the hamster but the rest is done.  I gave the OEM finish a light sanding to give the wood a slightly distressed look and stained the fresh cuts with dark cherry.  Then I put on 8 coats of Minwax Wipe On Poly High Gloss.  And finally two coats of Meguiara Carnauba Plus wax. 

I'm going to leave it like this and shoot it for a bit.  I'm thinking of leaving this stock as is for FT and modifying my original stock for benchrest.

For anyone thinking of using the D-Shaft and set screw collars as hardware for an adjustable cheek riser, I say go for it.  I think it works great.  Also, the RAW Adjustable Butt Plate is fantastic.

[SciGuy]

Just updating this topic.  I finally finished up the final cutting, sanding, staining, poly-coating, and hardware installation.  Here are some pics of the finished rifle in the Benchrest configuration.  I found a BSA Platinum 36X scope on clearance for around $100 and took a chance on it (GLAD I DID).  Collars on the end of the barrel are for tuning.  Still determining if they help.  I've got many configurations to try.