Thread: hunting stock design

Hi guys...there has been a bit of discussion about stock design in the thread below "Is it time to leave the 27 gang?" and that's got me thinking about stock design...

I've been messing around building carbon stocks. One for my Husqvarna and a direct copy of my Tikka stock.
Its probably time to build a new mold and I'm looking for some ideas about what people ideally want in a stock.

None of the stocks I own have a high enough comb that I can get a true cheek weld with a scope and I wonder how much that bothers people...especially considering both prone and standing shots. Its a tricky one because everyone is different and I'm beginning to think about a lightweight adjustable carbon cheek riser...
I like vertical grip really close to the trigger but it seems most people prefer a conventional sloping grip.
And I think an offset butt has to be an advantage because it gives you a more vertical head position.

Any ideas are valued...cheers...Chris

Nice looking stocks. I think its possible to get a bit sucked in with cheek weld etc, to me its a benchrest technique beloved by Americans (bless them) who are always avid followers of their gun-nut writers. In the field its not nearly so easy and the "euro" head up position can be shot very very well.

Originally Posted by Tentman

Nice looking stocks. I think its possible to get a bit sucked in with cheek weld etc, to me its a benchrest technique beloved by Americans (bless them) who are always avid followers of their gun-nut writers. In the field its not nearly so easy and the "euro" head up position can be shot very very well.

I will google "Euro head up" but it sounds like what I do...using a cheek riser can rock my head over and I always made them offset to avoid that.

Personally I really like the factory tikka stock design, reason being that I’m right handed but my right eye isn’t great (can’t get the crosshairs to focus) so I shoot left handed with my left eye and the factory stock is great for that.

My missus Weatherby has a cheek riser? thing (Is it called Monte Carlo?) on the stock which isn’t as comfortable shooting it left hand.

Just my opinion, I really like your carbon stocks, do you sell them??

Originally Posted by dvk-kp

Personally I really like the factory tikka stock design, reason being that I’m right handed but my right eye isn’t great (can’t get the crosshairs to focus) so I shoot left handed with my left eye and the factory stock is great for that.

My missus Weatherby has a cheek riser? thing (Is it called Monte Carlo?) on the stock which isn’t as comfortable shooting it left hand.

Just my opinion, I really like your carbon stocks, do you sell them??

That's brilliant feedback...Beretta aren't mugs and their stock design isn't an accident...they are trying to cater to everyone.

I'm still developing a process that's a little different but I'm pretty sure I can build a rigid stock lighter than what's on the market now.
I hope to sell some of my development stocks to recover the cost of materials soon (like the one above)...they are perfectly good and will be guaranteed but the finish isn't perfect. A paint job would finish them but I don't have time...

Originally Posted by Fisherman

That's brilliant feedback...Beretta aren't mugs and their stock design isn't an accident...they are trying to cater to everyone.

I'm still developing a process that's a little different but I'm pretty sure I can build a rigid stock lighter than what's on the market now.
I hope to sell some of my development stocks to recover the cost of materials soon (like the one above)...they are perfectly good and will be guaranteed but the finish isn't perfect. A paint job would finish them but I don't have time...

I'd be keen on one of the Husky stocks, think I have a rifle or 2 that will fit.

Originally Posted by Husky1600

I'd be keen on one of the Husky stocks, think I have a rifle or 2 that will fit.

You could live with that pistol grip?...not long ago I thought about offering the complete package.

Originally Posted by Fisherman

You could live with that pistol grip?...not long ago I thought about offering the complete package.

If its a copy of the original Husky, definitely keen. If its not a copy, it looks great, so definitely keen. I have a 1900 in 308NM, great rifle, has an excellent wooden stock. I bought back a fibreglass stock from Canada that is almost an exact copy of the original so now I run the fibreglass for hunting and keep the wooden stock immaculate for when I want to hang up my boots. I have no problem using the Husky 1600 stocks, fit well for a variety of situations. And they're good rifles to boot.

Good question. I have a longish neck and LOP and like a high comb. The stock that works best for me is my Kimber Montana. It has an open pistol grip which allows for different hand dimensions and trigger finger lengths and most importantly because its a short action/bolt allows the bolt to be removed without complex bits allow the bolt to slide out. The comb is in line with bolt. If bolt were longer an adjustable comb would be necessary. Bergara HMR comb is good IMHO.

Nice looking stocks.
I really like the sako 75 stock.
I got Stu to inlet one of his carbon stocks for my Tikka and its the most comfortable rifle to shoot.

[QUOTE=wsm junkie;913057]Nice looking stocks.
I really like the sako 75 stock.
I got Stu to inlet one of his carbon stocks for my Tikka and its the most comfortable rifle to shoot.

That's what I keep hearing...I need to get hold of one before I move on with this. The question is why are they so highly regarded and why isn't everyone else copying them?

I like a fore-end that is flat underneath and has flat sides like the Sako Forester etc or flat under with a wide grip like the Rem Varmint types. Stocks that sit well in hand are easy to grip and don't rock over. I also like to pack the comb so that if I bring the gun up with eyes closed and then open them, I am looking straight down the scope.
If it was me I would be reading up on how English gun makers design custom stocks as well, not hinting at any particular thing, just guessing that they more than likely know what they are doing.

This promises to be a very interesting thread!

I've found having a bit more rise for a cheek weld has helped my shooting. I went with the bed roll foam and tape approach to build it up. Also used foam and tape to have a more vertical grip, I really don't like the more conventional sloping grip. In my case 95% of shots I take are from prone or a field rest of some kind. Not very many standing shots in the open country.

Originally Posted by Joe_90

This promises to be a very interesting thread!

I've found having a bit more rise for a cheek weld has helped my shooting. I went with the bed roll foam and tape approach to build it up. Also used foam and tape to have a more vertical grip, I really don't like the more conventional sloping grip. In my case 95% of shots I take are from prone or a field rest of some kind. Not very many standing shots in the open country.

It would be good to see some photos of what you came up with...really interested in the effect of the cheek riser had on how vertical your head is. I suspect an advantage of foam is that it conforms to the shooter and allows the head to stay vertical (which I think is massively important in all sports)

Stocks look great.
I like the Tikka design but the factory one size fits nobody stocks are too short for me. Longer LOP would be great - either a longer stock or thicker pad options.