Fitting a new stock

[clovishound]

Some of may have seen my post in the lounge about an early Christmas present. For those who haven't, I got an all in one Boyds thumbhole stock for my Weatherby Vanguard I. I've got it mounted now, but the barrel is tight on one side.

For now I will just take it to the range and re sight it in at 25 yds and wait til hunting season is over to do anything else. Probably will be only two trips to the woods until then.

My question is this, should I just relieve the tight spot and call it good, or should I go for a full bedding procedure? I've never done that before.

I'm tempted to relieve it, and then check accuracy. FWIW, the original synthetic stock is not designed to be free floating.

[JEBar]

please don't take a word that I say about this as a recommendation because I have no clue .... I do know what I'd do if it was mine .... I'd test fire it as is .... if its accuracy proved to be OK for my need, I'd go with it for what little is left in the season .... if the accuracy wasn't OK, I'd hunt with a different rifle .... having no skill in this area, after the season I'd find someone who does and let him fix it

[clovishound]

That's pretty much what I'm planning on doing. After looking at my work schedule next week, I have to go from two more days hunting to one. And now that one may not materialize.

[TMB]

I agree with JEBar try it at the range for accuracy and find someone who knows more than me to fit the stock.

[clovishound]

Well, I just got back from the range. I had the scope dialed in to 100 yds. I took one shot, a couple inches low. Adjusted the scope and put the next three rounds into the same hole. I called it good and packed up.

The only issue was I had trouble with the follower in the blind mag binding. I got home and loosened up the stock and re-tightened everything up. All was good. I double checked, and even though the left side of the barrel is much closer to the stock than the right, it will still pass a thick piece of paper without binding.

[JEBar]

Well, I just got back from the range. I had the scope dialed in to 100 yds. I took one shot, a couple inches low. Adjusted the scope and put the next three rounds into the same hole.

a good ways beyond OUTSTANDING .... sure hope the hunt works out ..

[Dahliathemeh]

Love those Boyd's stocks! I got one for moms day!

[clovishound]

Love those Boyd's stocks! I got one for moms day!

Which one, and for what gun?

[Dahliathemeh]

My Marlin model 60, sky laminate. Its the hunter something...

[clovishound]

Did a little fiddling with the stock today. I took a very small amount off in a couple locations and was able to center up the barrel in the forearm portion of the stock. Assuming this hasn't changed the accuracy I got the other day, I'm much happier with this now that it looks like the stock properly fits. Barrel has good clearance all the way up to where it begins to flare for the chamber.

I did some thinking about the magazine follower hanging up, and decided that the mag well wasn't fully inserted when mounting the action to the stock and the edge of the follower was trapped between the action and the mag well. I think being careful about this when assembling will keep it from happening again.

[JEBar]

I did some thinking about the magazine follower hanging up, and decided that the mag well wasn't fully inserted when mounting the action to the stock and the edge of the follower was trapped between the action and the mag well. I think being careful about this when assembling will keep it from happening again.

looking forward to hearing your assessment as to how well it works

[clovishound]

Well, managed to get back to the range yesterday. After this last adjustment to the stock, I had to rezero the scope. Groups were still shots touching each other at 25 yds. FWIW, the bench I have to work with at the indoor range isn't terribly steady, so it's hard to get really tight groups there even with good technique. Probably won't make it out to the 100 yd range for a couple weeks or more.

[Ojaileveraction]

I've replased three rifle stocks with Boydes.
Two Prairie Hunters and a Light Weight Thumb Hole.
Only had to do a little sanding on The Thump Hole to even up a spot.
They IMPROVED the two rifles that came with very cheap plastic stocks.
The third was for my Daughter in laws Grandfather's Coast to Coast Mod 340 30-30.
That slipped right in no issues.

[clovishound]

Got back to the range today. Tried some of the 180 grain, as well as the 165 grain boat tailed. The 180s did not perform as well as the 165. The stock may have made a small difference, but I would have to say that ammo made a big difference. Didn't feel like shooting more than about 10 each, so not a terribly definitive test, but good enough to make me buy the 165s. Now I need to see if it is the weight, or the boat tail that makes the difference. I'm interested in trying it at the 100 yd range, where I have a nice stable platform to park my bench rest on. The bench at the indoor range is rather wobbly. I also need to pick up some 165 boat tail bullets and a suitable powder and try developing a reload for it.