Always great to get another of Robert (Bob) Fortier builds. Bob is a member of the PQRA and Team Mystic Precision. He does some very nice stock work and his current build is his new FTR rifle. Using a Fierce Action, Krieger barrel, and one of his homemade customs stock. This will be a photo journal of the build so you can see some of the many steps involved. I encourage anyone with the desire to build their own stock to just grab some lumber and have at it. I hope that the pics will give you lots of ideas and inspirations.
A 2 part article so enjoy and let me know what you think – [email protected] or find me on facebook.
Enjoy
Jerry
The new Fierce Single Shot action – 1.112 kg
Bolt is DLC treated
Jard Trigger at 12 ounces
Machining of the receiver threads and receiver face. Good view of the recoil lug and front action bolt pillar
Three lug with Sako type extractor
The stock blank being glued up
Ready to cut out the raw blank
Side Layout
Bob making his own pillars… nice
Inletting Begins
Some very nice wood work – this is the hardest part of a stock build. It is intimidating but if things aren’t as well done as Bob’s work, bedding compound will resolve alot of oops
Action fitted to stock
Smart “weigh” to get the bedding mixture correct
Action is prepped for bedding. Voids are filled and release agent added. Note the pillars are held loosely in place so they will be glued into the stock but the action can be removed later.
Centering the barrel in the channel.. the barrel is a turned down contour that would have been CF wrapped but I don’t think Bob is going to go with a wrapped barrel
Protecting everything from the ever oozing bedding compound
And there was much rejoicing… when bedding, you hope that you had enough release agent on everything and you hold your breath as you pop the action out of the stock. Nice job Bob. Note the recoil lug is still in the bedding and needs to be pushed out.
Bedding all cleaned up – touch up or 2nd application to fill in voids is pretty typical so don’t get discouraged if not picture perfect like Bob’s. This is when some material may need to be removed to make insertion and removal of action simple. Check to ensure all the action operations are proper. Triggers, bolt release may be affected by too much bedding and removal is needed to make sure all parts function properly.
Bedding should be a mirror image of the action and an interference fit, especially around the recoil lug. This is what controls the recoil forces and keeps things from moving under recoil. Note the pillars are exposed and make solid contact with the recoil lug block. Some will let the bedding fill over the pillar tops especially on a round bottom receiver. Either method works as long as the action and “stock” make solid contact.
Buttstock ready for preliminary fitting
A rail is inletted so that the buttpad can be adjusted
Setting up to cut the trigger guard inletting. Careful set up and use of a router makes simple work of this difficult task. Bob makes very smart use of common tools to do complicated inletting tasks.
Rough inletting completed. Definitely a situation you want to measure twice/three times. Nice metal work on the trigger guard
Forstner drill bits do a great job of creating a flat bottom inlet. Yes, a milling maching would make this job a no brainer but not everyone has a milling machine… but lots have a drill press. A bit of sanding and chisel work… voila.
The Trigger guard inserted. If the inletting is a bit bumpy and rough, no one is ever going to see it when all is assembled… and a layer of bedding compound hides these oops nicely.
Inletting the rail for the most important part 🙂
The MPOD!
Will update part 2 which will be the final shaping and finishing of the stock and hopefully, get some shooting feedback. Don’t be shy to try a stock project like this. Hey, if you screw up, it is only a hunk of wood. Enjoy Jerry