To hook, or not to hook...

My EM-332 stock is coming along nicely. All sanded down and grip resized/reshaped to provide a fantastic hold. My question is whether I should cut a small hook in the heel of the stock, as per the grey patch in the photo below. It is more common on sporters, target and tactical rifles and I don't want to munt the stock. Any thoughts on whether / why I should or shouldn't? Suggestions as to shape, size etc also appreciated.

Before anyone tells me I'm ruining the resale, the barrel has been developed and the original iron sights are long gone, so that isn't too much of a concern. I also have no intention of selling it!
Thanks!
Attachment 134251

looks good as it is....it fits you now so leave it as it is....keep posting photos as project continues please.

Thanks mate. I'll definitely keep posting. Also need to decide whether to treat it with polyurethane or give it a classic oil finish. It turned out to be far lighter colour than I anticipated, but the last thing I want to do is stain it.

Oil! Not bloody urethane! Yuk

Can't imagine it being particularly robust

@gimp - can you elaborate?

If you carved the hook out. It would likely break off easily along the grain, I suspect.

Ah, got it. Yes, you are right. Didn't factor that in. I think that is the deciding vote!

Would the hook serve a purpose to you?
Weakening it as Gimp says would be a big concern.

@muzza and @ROKTOY - shooting standing and prone, the web of the left hand pushesagainst the hook, forcing the stock into the shoulder, making for what someday is a more stable shooting position. Standing, the elbow if left arm supports the fore-end too. I can probably live without the hook though.

Barrel developed?

Shakes head...seems weird...more suited to a person with three arms

Not sure about barrel development... Google it and couldn't find anything. Can you clarify? Got it as is a few years ago. @DavidGunn - it's not all that bad... Just not easy to explain.

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Originally Posted by berg243

well he is from wellington .:P:D

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A year in the capital and this is what I get...

If you really wanted a hook you could possibly pre-drill and put a screw in just aft of the hook to help reduce the risk of it splitting off.
It would still be a weak point, would be a shame to knock it off when putting in the safe or something.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bol Tackshin

Thanks mate. I'll definitely keep posting. Also need to decide whether to treat it with polyurethane or give it a classic oil finish. It turned out to be far lighter colour than I anticipated, but the last thing I want to do is stain it.

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It will go alot darker once u oil it or poly it. To test wet a small patch to c how dark it will go.

Something I've done in the past was to epoxy impregnate those soft stocks from asia, leave the stock in the hot water cuboard till very dry and warm, mix up some resin and heat till very runny, apply to stock. The dry stock will suck it up like a sponge. Leave to cure. You can add pigment to the resin as well if you want colour.

@Walker - that sounds like a great plan. Unfortunately I don't have any epoxy resin. Damn, but if I could do that last trip to Bunnings over, I'd spend a lot more than I did! As they say, hindsight is 20-20 vision!

I have some clear Araldite epoxy 2 pack, but I doubt that will work out. It's very viscous, and I only have 100ml. I'll probably have to use a good tung / linseed oil blend, because that's what I have on hand, and it seems to work well on some of the furniture I have used it on. I tried it in the barrel channel and it worked nicely.