Whats the best type of wood for stocking 'mega-magnums?

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585nyati

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:rolleyes:Does anyone have any 'educated' views/opinions on the best type of wood to use when stocking a mega magnum bolt action rifle, i.e, Brno 602s, CZ 550, Ruger Mk II Magnum actions in 500 A square, 510 wells, 505 Gibbs, 577 Tyrannusaur...large cal - heavy kickers!!

I know all the drill about straight grain wood for these cannons, just wondering if there is a 'Best' type of walnut, some other hardwood, or perhaps a laminate stock, that would serve this purpose better than the rest?
 
There is a particularly good book available that deals with this topic:
Dangerous Game Rifles by Terry Wieland (ISBN 978-0-89272-807-7) and should be available through Amazon or a similar online book dealer.
There is a whole section called "Stocking the Dangerous-Game Rifle". Essentially, Wieland suggests that laminates are about as good as solid wood, but heavier due to the glue (heavier is not necessarily a bad thing with a lot of recoil to tame). He suggests that the difficulty comes in finding a suitable laminate blank for your project and the difficulty of working with it.
The author goes on to a lengthy discussion of the pros/cons/availability of the various types of walnut (English/French/Turkish/Caucasus/Claro, etc.). I think he generally suggests a straight grain and proper fit for the shooter are the most important.
It's a good book and well worth a read!
I know from a lot of trapshooting that proper stock fit is important. I've heard from various sources that a dangerous game rifle should fit a shooter much like a shotgun. A hunter going after dangerous game may have to shoulder the gun quickly and get on-target in an instant, a stock that fits and gives a quick perfect sight-picture is desireable. Proper fit will also reduce the felt recoil (another lesson learned from tens of thousands of rounds of trap :~) ).
 
As long as there isn't a significant amount of short grain due to any cut out shapes in the stock any hardwood is fine. And even if there is you can get around that with a tension bolt through that section of the stock to lock it together through the short grain section.
 
Laminate ...and cut the stock to lower the action then cut the stock for the bolt to come back this will stop barrel hop
 
Walnut

I have had the oppertunity to work with Bastogne walnut on a couple of projects that were in large calibers, it was very dense and showed some nice colour. I have also used English walnut which showed similar charecteristics to the Bastogne. Cross bolts and a second recoil lug are a wise choice with large caliber rifles no matter what stock wood is chosen. David.
 
Bastogne walnut is a hybrid of english and something else that I can't remember however i have heard through a couple good stock makers that American walnut is also quite good for heavy kickers
 
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