Who makes lightweight laminate stocks

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Same scope as Obeche stocked rifle.


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Wildcat Composites (bare w/Krylon) BDL Mag. well cut-out
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A shade under 2# (Obeche)

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The Winner! Glass (Basnar? guessing)
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To be completely fair the PGW stock weighs less than originally due to little bits being left on BC/Yukon mountains.=)

The net weights bare will likley be 6-8 ounces lighter.

Cheers, Tsavo
 
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I think the point here is this laminate is not your typical piece of heavy lumber, and you'll not likely find a lighter laminate stock.
 
blargon said:
I think the point here is this laminate is not your typical piece of heavy lumber, and you'll not likely find a lighter laminate stock.
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Agreed. It is far lighter than any other laminate I have heard of.

However every ultralight wildcat I have finished, including pad, paint, swivels, and bedding weighed in under 20oz, most around 19oz and I have used a bunch.
If the one shown is around 32oz it is certainly not ultralight model as ditch dogger suggests.
 
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Stock builders purported net weight and reality often differ.

29 ounces (sorry for the poor pics) it is the Sako varmint ultralight (R700 SA/BDL)*Wildcat prototype* and weighed in 3oz+- more than my R700LA/ADL Wildcat before finishing. I believe WCC to be good product. These are ca. 2000 stocks, I owe it to myself to try some current product.

Also the Tracker laminate does not have the butt hogged out as suggested. That would likely compromise integrity.

Of course, Action and Barrel cutout size, Floor-plate or not, Bedding material, Butt pad and pillar choice effects total. Even finish adds to the weight. Also, it has been my experience, that many lightweight synthetics do not possess the rigidity required for accuracy. The lighter the rig the more paramount harmonics become. It is tall order to keep accuracy and weight in the same envelope. Obeche possesses these properties, hence umpteen world Bench Rest records. As well, it is far easier for me to warm up to wood than plastic or glass.

I do enjoy to support Canadian businesses, however, if you have to have the lightest stock going, IME is the Brown Precision Kevlar Pound-r-Premium @ 13.5 Oz (R600/ADL Style) including McMillan camo cloth finish.(odd combo thanks to Bannished/AW)

Having assembled a few light-weights myself and having suffered the pains and EXPENSE of the Jenny Krag rifle program, I applaud DG's abilities to keep the real world weight to 20oz or less. I doubt I could do that with a helium filled LoneWolf. I do not like thin pads on light guns. A 7.25lb hunting weight, .338 RUM is not a place to chince on pad IMHO. Besides, I use my guns as walking sticks too, so the pads get worn off quickly. So thicker means less resoling. :)

In all reality and to offer the OP an opinion, the differences between this laminate and the lightest composites available is only one or two cartridges. Accuracy foremost, weight second. Or be greedy like me and strive to achieve both. Hedge your bet. Choose a builder who knows how and has produced bonafide BR guns. Be aware, many will balk at building light (they are not the same animal) as they stake their reputation on what is in reality, a "Black Art" . Stay away from wheelbarrow mechanics lurking under fancy gunsmith shingles.

Most importantly, if the planets align and your new Ultralight turns out to be a "Shooter" covet, cherish, guard it with your life!!!! They don't occur often. Most well built but, failed ULW ensembles have the handle (or handler) to blame.

YMMV Tsavo
 
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My apologies to the OP, for the hijack.

The blank shown is a long action ADL with the seams filled (only blank I have on hand). The finished stock is a M7 pattern fitted to a 700 SA (which requires adding quite a bit of fill to relocate the mag cut out) 14"LOP, composite pillars, studs, armacoat paint, 0.8" decelerator, and full action + 1.5" of barrel bedding. Of course if you bed the rifle in lead or use a brass butt plate you could run it up to 30oz I am sure. :)
YMMV DG
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I was attempting to point out that a stock's weight is only one factor in building an accurate ultralight rifle and that Obeche wood laminate is viable for the same, as per, OP's question. I have passion for wood, but also realize the practicalities of composites. I do not make my money from building ULW rifles, I make some, by using them. Having packed a "few" from just above sea level to above the treeline a "couple" of times....in the same day, they must also be durable. Again, IME I have found some of the lightweight stocks fragile, a trait I will not tolerate further than inaccuracy.

One could install a light weight wire-frame stock (seen one) to achieve less weight, but at what point does it cease to function mechanically, ergonomically or worse aesthetically(yuk!)?. I view regular rifles as the sum of their traits (Weight, Power, Accuracy) and ULW rifles, because of the application, as a product of their traits (Score zero on any trait, the product is zero or a Useless and Expensive Club!)

I meant no offense to any member, and have edited my post to say "Stock builders purported weights....." as this is the only item that could draw anyone's ire. Though, I don't feel qualified to admonish my, now former, builders for their arcane lead and brass stock finishing techniques. I still thank DG for pointing out my long-term exposure to these excessive payloads (7+lbs HUNT-ABLE Weightf:P:2: ie. including optics, mounts, brake, mag n follower, trigger, even the BOLT!) and the associated spinal health issues. I may need someone to witness, to this preventable tragedy, should I seek compensation from these pig-iron mongers, and no doubt their string of lawyers.

All kidding aside, a better and more productive solution would be for you to start a thread in the Gunsmith forum explaining your techniques for Composite stock bedding and finishing for light weight results, so others may benefit. And should you feel it necessary, I invite you to contact Mr. Shehane(bill@scopeusout.com), Mr. Baity(baityscustom@yahoo.com) and Mr. Spagrud (hint, he is a member here and allegedly mounts a KTM) directly and point out the error in their ways and any other lack of qualifications to build ULW rifles. Google's your pal for the websites.

Cheers, Tsavo
 
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Again I apologize to the op, this will be my last hijack in this thread.

Interesting how at the beginning of this thread you were the one to claim obeche stocks were as light as wildcat composites. That was the only claim made that I had issue with, there was nothing personal until you made it personal. I took a few pictures to prove the weights I claimed and again you try to make it personal - and now switch to other arguments such as durability, accuracy, and "hunting weight" etc. If you want to hunt sheep with a 7lb+ rifle, go for it. Lots of guys do every year, and lots of those guys like the extra weight for making long shots. As for your "pointing out error in their ways" comment, what the hell are you talking about? Did I say they were built wrong, or that there was any issue with your builds? Give your head a shake and grow up.

Just don't tell me a 30oz laminate is as light as a 20oz composite and expect me to believe it.
 
Well here is the price list for Obeche wood Laminate.

http://scopeusout.com/custom-rifle-stocks/6-stock-prices/sporter-stocks/

Not to try to make a horse drink, but the OP may find this more to his liking, than my example.

A quote from their site.

The Ultra Light Sporter- $495. In Obeche $595. This lightweight sporter is made to be used with the low profile Rifle Basix trigger which is ½’ shorter than the Remington trigger. This allows the rifle to be slimmed down for the ultimate in a caring varmint or back packing for mountain game rifle made. Can be had in several patterns for the Remington Mod. 7 as a drop in, the Remington Short, 40X or the 6′ BAT in single shot form. Most complete mountain rifles weigh 5 lbs. without scope and a # 4 barrel 24′s long in a varmint rifle about 7lbs.

Another point which is perhaps a detractor is you are limited as to how much of the "hog and fill" methods used on the composites, that may be used. Tighter tolerance in-letting and fitment is required, the same as any wood stock, so as not to look unsightly. Adds to pride of ownership.
 
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"...lightweight laminate..." Yep. Oxymoron. The whole purpose of laminates is to give an extremely stable stock. Stable as in not changing under wet conditions. Plus a certain amount of felt recoil reduction. If you want lightweight you go with a synthetic stock and a thin barrel.
 
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