Was torn on whether or not to post my attempt at a making a scratchbuilt Savage Axis stock halfway through the build or wait until I'm done. Well, who knows when I'll finally finish, impatience got the best of me, so here we go with the halfway there pics...
Seeing that my hours at work have been reduced lately and wanting to find something to keep me out of trouble, I decided to go ahead and make a Birch laminated stock for a new Savage Axis 243, I recently purchased. Yeah, yeah, I know.... silk purse out of sow's ear and all that but what the heck, gotta start somewhere...
This is my third attempt at stock making, I've previously made two shotgun stocks, one for a BPS and another (posted here last year) one for an 870. This is my first attempt at a riflestock build and most definitely the most challenging. Inletting for me was the absolute hardest, thought of quitting a few times but time already spent on the project kept me going.
Before even starting, I scoured the web for info, videos and tutorials. One of the most helpful threads was from CGN's very own bobfortier, clear and pertinent instructions on building a benchrest target stock for a Savage Axis. This brings me now to the title of the thread... In all my years of shouldering rifles, not one came as close to a perfect fit for me as my old LH Sako AV Deluxe, the dimensions are tailored-made for my short arms and stumpy neck, quite ironic for a rifle built by Vikings. So... I designed the stock to have identical dimensions as my Sako, from the grip back, yet keep the general lines of the Axis from the grip forward. Much like a mullet, the stock is Business up front, Party in the rear.
Couple of major woodworking screwups along the way, definitely happy I don't do this for a living. Patched them up quickly and tried disguising them along the way. Plan on making a stock duplicator in the Spring, so worst-case scenario is that my current stock can just end up as a guide for a new one. Currently occupying me time filing and sanding some aluminum flat and bar stock, to make a triggerguard and magazine catch.
Here's where I'm at now, figure I still have about 15-20 hours of work to go, will definitely post pics when (or if...) I ever finish.
Seeing that my hours at work have been reduced lately and wanting to find something to keep me out of trouble, I decided to go ahead and make a Birch laminated stock for a new Savage Axis 243, I recently purchased. Yeah, yeah, I know.... silk purse out of sow's ear and all that but what the heck, gotta start somewhere...
This is my third attempt at stock making, I've previously made two shotgun stocks, one for a BPS and another (posted here last year) one for an 870. This is my first attempt at a riflestock build and most definitely the most challenging. Inletting for me was the absolute hardest, thought of quitting a few times but time already spent on the project kept me going.
Before even starting, I scoured the web for info, videos and tutorials. One of the most helpful threads was from CGN's very own bobfortier, clear and pertinent instructions on building a benchrest target stock for a Savage Axis. This brings me now to the title of the thread... In all my years of shouldering rifles, not one came as close to a perfect fit for me as my old LH Sako AV Deluxe, the dimensions are tailored-made for my short arms and stumpy neck, quite ironic for a rifle built by Vikings. So... I designed the stock to have identical dimensions as my Sako, from the grip back, yet keep the general lines of the Axis from the grip forward. Much like a mullet, the stock is Business up front, Party in the rear.
Couple of major woodworking screwups along the way, definitely happy I don't do this for a living. Patched them up quickly and tried disguising them along the way. Plan on making a stock duplicator in the Spring, so worst-case scenario is that my current stock can just end up as a guide for a new one. Currently occupying me time filing and sanding some aluminum flat and bar stock, to make a triggerguard and magazine catch.
Here's where I'm at now, figure I still have about 15-20 hours of work to go, will definitely post pics when (or if...) I ever finish.
Keep this post updated.
