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Originally Posted by midnight_cougar
I have a Marlin .22 mag bolt action, it has a normal stock I have not been able to find any aftermarket stocks. I have a skeleton stock on my saiga .223. I would like to make the skeleton stock on my marlin. I would also like the pistolgrip on it to have a thumb indent and a sniperbase on the bottom, a raised cheekpeice, maybe even a third leg on the rear on the stock for target shooting. Also thinking maybe a beavertail attached to a bipod, but i want to keep the front light. With my scope and accessories on it now it is front-heavy. My dad also just received a hammerless double barrel ithica made i think in 1892. It has a cracked rear stock, It has been passed down the family.
I am just wondering if anyone has any ideas or experience doing anytype of stockwork. As in the type of wood to use, he is planning on using walnut on the ithica, which won't be that much work it is 2 rather small easy pieces. On my marlin stock i am almost thinking walnut also. But I was thinking it would be nice making it out of a log. I am not sure what kind of tree to use, if it should be a recently fallen down tree or a tree that fall down about a year ago and is already seasoned. What does everyone think would be better. If i used a tree that recently fell down would i have to let it sit or could i just start cutting it? It is going to be done with a saw, drill, dremel, hand tools, files, chisels and a whole lot of sandpaper. I know this is going to be a ridiculous amount of work, but in the end it will be worth it. If i am going to take that much time on building a stock i figured i might as well have all the lil extras on it.
I already have all the drawing i just need help deciding on the wood to use and figure out some measurements. I would like it to be very durable but not extremely heavy. When I start customizing it i may have to take a few pictures. When i start it i will let everyone know how it is coming along and i may need a few ideas to help me out. The first step is to figure out what wood would be best, let me know what ya'all think. I greatly appretiate your help, and thank you in advance.
-shawn
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Might try to call Ward at Dakota Arms, Inc. (605) 347 3220
See if you can buy a blank there. They have many ranging from single X Claro Walnut all the way up to several thousand dollar pieces of Special Select Turk Walnuts.
The trick with stock woods is the moisture content. Just cutting a tree into usable pieces doesn't get it. You cap off the end grain and then put it on a shelf in the garage for about fifteen years or so otherwise its very likely to shrink unevenly and this is what causes splits and cracks. Wax was/is the old world way to cap off a blank, but they are also done with epoxy now a days. Unless its kiln dried (BAD) the stock pieces you buy today are likely to be 10-20 years old from the time they were cut.
Expect a bargain basement price of about 150 for any type of walnut thats above "sap wood" in color. Sky is the limit from there. There certainly are exceptions to this price, but that's what I've seen as of late. Premium walnuts are becoming more and more rare. Especially since the nicest ones actually come from northern Iraq/Kurdistan.
Imagination and Visa card are your only limits.
Good luck