Theoben Rapid Mk2

[YEMX]

    I posted about this build many moons ago- but I failed to update, and life got in the way, and now I can't find the old post.    There's not much that's factory with this Rapid, as I bought this Mk2 action back in '14 from Chip Smith (of the Sumo Action fame).
 It came with some parts- but overall, it was bare.  I originally bought it with the intent of making an Elan clone, as those are EXTREMELY hard to find (for what I wanted to pay).  To be honest- an Elan is really not all that special.  I just like the look.  So really, I wanted to do an Elan TRIBUTE.
    Over time though, I went back and forth about what I wanted to build- a benchrest rifle, a "normal" build, bottle or tube reservoir, every conceivable configuration.  But I always came back to that Elan design...
 As I was debating, I gathered the parts that were common across the board.  Most of the parts are from RAW, custom or otherwise.  I did get some parts from the UK via ebay.  Here's a rundown, from what I can remember:

Aftermarket valve
Some parts to quiet the action
Spring guides
MFR barrel shroud
CZ .22 barrel (I lucked into that one!)
FX reservoir adapter (custom made at RAW)
FX 65cc reservoir (Elan reservoir was 65cc, but was much larger)   
Bottom fill adapter
Scope rail to convert factory rails to a normal dovetail size

Here's the action, in all it's glory:


    RAW sold me (and assembled) the CZ barrel/MFR shroud.  I had them add a LDC adapter to the end as an integral part of the MFR shroud.  They did all the work so it was a drop-in piece.  Motorhead did the assembly and tune work- I was looking for 12 fpe, like the original Elan.  He worked his magic.  He added an SSG that he made for Rapids...  So this Elan tribute is really something special, compared to the original.  This Rapid is as efficient as it can be, with our current level of technology.  When I received this Rapid back from Motorhead, I nearly cried.  To finally see a dream gun come together, and it looks even better than what was pictured in my head.  I've always wanted a Theoben Rapid, and then the Elan when it came out, but I was never in a position to buy one... WAY too expensive! 
    Which brings us to this post.  I need to put it in a stock.  Again, this is a tribute build- not a clone.  So what to do?  Overall, it should FEEL like an Elan.  I struggled with how the stock should look...  The inspiration for this build boiled down to three rifles/stocks:

Of course, the original Theoben Elan:




Then there's the Vanquish:






Then there's the McMillan A4 stock, which is used on the USMC M40A3 (and newer) precision rifle:



Here's the humble beginnings of my Elan/Vanquish/A4 stock:



    The build plan is unconventional, to say the least.  Wood, XPS foam and a blend of fiberglass and CF.  You can't see it in the picture, but that's actually two pieces bonded together with double sided tape, so I could quickly shape the sides of the stock, and ensure a small semblance of accuracy between the two sides.  Areas that need re-enforcement will be solid wood, the rest will be filled in with foam, and once the outer shape is made, the whole thing will be wrapped in either a combination of fiberglass and CF, or just CF.  I'll be using Epoxy resin, instead of Bondo type resin, since the Epoxy resin won't eat the foam.  I'll also need to figure out what I'm going to do for the fill nipple...  I'm thinking of a cut-out that's similar to what's on some Daystate guns:


It's not a very good shot, but you get the idea- it's a slightly over sized cut-out for the bottom fill... 

Anyhoo, I will keep y'all posted.  I'm kind of just figuring this out as I'm going...  Next up will be initial fitment of the action, and opening up the trigger hole.  I'm also going to be using 2 screws to attach the stock, like on the Mk1's.  I'll probably pillar bed the rifle.  Maybe not.  Who knows?   

[strever]

Tom
have you ever thought of a Rapid Pistol ?
you have the makings of one

[YEMX]

Tom
have you ever thought of a Rapid Pistol ?
you have the makings of one

I have, but I have too many projects, too little time/money. It's getting harder to find bare Rapid actions, and I don't want to pay for a rifle, just to make it a pistol    That sure is a gorgeous pistol you have there though!!

[YEMX]

Apologies for the bad pictures.  Hopefully you can see where I'm going w/the stock idea.  I did some inletting, so I can see how the Rapid is going to sit in the stock.  Slowly but surely.

[YEMX]

Tiny bit more work done on the stock.  I did the minor inletting. Not finished, I still need to get rid of the waste material that's marked in Sharpie...  I did that just to double check fitment of the two sides.





Yeah, it looks ugly- I'm no woodworker!  But I'll clean it up before I move on to the outside shape.  I want to be sure of a good fit.  Anyhoo, that's where the stock's sitting now.  Again, I'll keep you posted. 

[YEMX]

This is what I have in mind, when I finish with the stock:

[KnifeMaker]

Always wanted a Rapid. The one Tofazfou owned for a few years was my holy grail.


The custom work Ernie, (220 Swift) does on them is unreal!

[YEMX]

...The custom work Ernie, (220 Swift) does on them is unreal!

Ernie has been working on my Dawson .30 off and on since '13...  I've been lusting after a 220 Swift build for over a decade.  When I had a chance to snag a Dawson action and one of his Competition triggers, I scooped it up!  I had it sent directly to Ernie.  I was out of the country at the time, so I've never even held any of the parts...  I actually bought the .30 barrel from SeanMP instead of TJ direct, since the barrel was so new.  Bob and Sean had just developed it.  I have no idea when it'll be done, but man, when it is...  Y'all probably won't hear from me for a while!  I'll have to have RAW make a stock for it, if they'll even do that since AF acquired them...  Here's to hoping!

[KnifeMaker]

Errrr, I forgot about that acquisition. Wonder just what has changed. AF is famous for not listening to customer feedback. Not a typical RAW trait.

[Motorhead]

Really liking the profile with the plus that bottle is hidden within forestock ... been waiting on this project to happen 

[YEMX]

Really liking the profile with the plus that bottle is hidden within forestock ... been waiting on this project to happen 

Projects have been backing up, and I also needed to get my workshop in a workable condition (still moving stuff into it, organizing and such).  You kinda gave me that kick in the pants to say "Frak it, just get it done!"...  So thanks for that Motorhead! 

When done, the stock will look more like the Vanquish stock (but NOT a copy), as the wood is really just a "backbone" for the XPS (pink or blue insulation foam) foam.  I'll shape the foam so it's more swoopy and curvy.  Around the foam, will go CF and/or fiberglass and epoxy, like in the video.  Areas like in the front where a bipod will be mounted, or where swivel studs (not sure if I'm going to use them yet) will be all wood, so the studs have something solid to bite in to.  I think I'm going to just stick to the single mounting point as well, it's just easier. 

I'm excited to get back on this project!  I just wish I had more time to dedicate to it.  But it'll get done soon enough, now that I actually have the tools to get the work done a bit faster and more accurately!

[YEMX]

Errrr, I forgot about that acquisition. Wonder just what has changed. AF is famous for not listening to customer feedback. Not a typical RAW trait.

I'm hoping that the only thing that's changed is the financial backing...  I don't think that RAW would benefit from cranking out their rifles at "Production Speed".  RAW is much more suited to building to suit the customer.  I also hope that they keep their custom work available.  Not just for myself, but for others as well!  They made nearly all the parts on/in this rifle!  They're also (or were?) the only company that makes a semi-custom stock for a rifle I will eventually have (Dawson), in a shape that I actually want (LRT stock).  I KNOW I'm not the only person in that category!! 

Everything said and done, I just hope that RAW basically stays exactly the same, but with a bigger bank-roll.

[KnifeMaker]

+1!

[YEMX]

I might not be using CF!!  The price difference between CF and fiberglass is huge!  From one supplier, the price difference is about $7/yd for S2 fiberglass, and about $40+/yd for Equivalent weight CF...  If I see this at other suppliers, I may just use fiberglass and be done with it...  I might try some CF "tape".  I was eyeing 12" wide unidirectional tape... that's more comparable in price (around $8/yd) to fiberglass.  Although I'm not sure I need the "extra" that CF provides.  I don't tend to abuse my guns.  I dunno.  I'm gonna do more research as I work on the stock itself. 

EDIT:  I will NOT be using CF... it's waaaayy too expensive!!

[YEMX]

Whew!  I had to sift through 11 pages of posts before I finally found this one!!  Okay, I've FINALLY been able to make a touch more progress on this stock project.  I needed to get my workshop more in order (still a work in progress), and get some of my tools in order, and order a few tools...  It'll still be a while, though.  I'm working on getting my micro mill up and running, then I need to tram it, THEN I can do some stock work...  Anyhoo- here's a few pics of the little work I've been able to get done so far.











I'll be getting some foam cutting tools today, since I can't find my original tools...  I hate moving...  Also, I do need to do more filling in with foam, and of course, there's shaping the outside.  I hope the pictures convey the gist of what I'm trying to do...  Once I'm done "inletting"/shaping, I'll still need to cover the outside with fiberglass... 

[YEMX]

My hot wire cutters came in- did some trimming:









I had to do a little work on the trigger opening- I think it was (is?) a tad small.  Still a lot more work to do, but I hope you can see what I'm trying to achieve.  It'll get there. 

[Motorhead]

Now we're seeing some progress .... keep after it and stay focused !!

[YEMX]

Now we're seeing some progress .... keep after it and stay focused !!

Absolutely!  I want to see this build done just as much as you do!  Right now, I'm trying to decide on how I want to shape the outside of the stock, and also, how I want to finish the "inlet" of the stock.  Once I figure out what size screws I need to mount the stock (front and rear screws from my other post you commented on),  I can finish up w/the remainder of the inlet...  I'm going to map out the holes and slot for the trigger area tomorrow.  I need to finish my mill so I can more accurately and cleanly massage the cut out for the FX reservoir.  It's coming along!!  I really need to take my time and figure out how I want to shape the exterior though...

[KnifeMaker]

One of the things I always admired in the Rapids is the  o ringless breach seal design. Never knew why more makers didn't use it.


Unless it is the required precision needed.


Kife

[YEMX]

One of the things I always admired in the Rapids is the  o ringless breach seal design. Never knew why more makers didn't use it.


Unless it is the required precision needed.


Kife

It probably IS the precision required, in addition to the complexity of just the bolt...  It's a relatively huge piece of metal, there's a spring in there...  It's awesome, over-built and TBH, expensive.  The Rapids are tanks.  It's not conducive to "mass production".  One of the reasons I love Rapids.