Timber Supplier for Rifle Stock Blanks

Richard S

Well-Known Member
I am planning to make a rifle stock.
Can anyone recommend a reliable source of air dried Walnut please ?
I have a very nice piece of Elm, but have never heard of a stock made of this wood, and I am rather doubtful of it's stability for this purpose. Has anyone any experience of this ?

Richard
 
i have bought stock blanks on ebay from turkey and each time it has been good value no trouble shipping ,i have a made shotgun stock from elm you will find it rubbery to work to let locks in it takes stain well ,there are some nice stock blanks on ebay at the moment.
 
Thanks everyone.

I've seen the Turkish ones and they look very good, but I was hoping to find a UK supplier if possible.

Bruce : I know what you mean about elm and it is difficult to get a really fine finish. I think there is a reason for walnut being the traditional material.

Richard
 
Mike Linguard in Friockheim, in Angus specialises in gun stocking. He could be worth a try via Google as he does keep a lot of walnut blanks in stock. Sorry I don't have a phone number.
 
A lot of cheaper stocks were made of beech at one time. I am sure it may not be what you want but might be good practice for a first go.

David.
 
Elm is a difficult timber to bring to a high luster if that is the desired finish. However as far as stability Elm is a very stable timber. It is however quite abrasive and tends to blunt an edge readily. I'd try and bring a bit upto your desired finish and see if you can get what you are looking for.
 
Thanks again for all advice.
I'll check out both references suppled.
Woodmaster : I agree about finishing Elm and have decided to rule it out. The figure is lovely but the finest finish I've achieved is not really suitable for this application.

I probably should have said that although I've never made a stock, I'm a retired furniture maker and have plenty of woodworking experience and workshop facilities. I'm at present watching You Tube videos on stock making. Chequering looks challenging !

Richard
 
There are plenty of suppliers in the US of stock blanks that will happily send to the UK. In the past I got a blank from guns4u2. Also well worth a good rake around a hardwood supplier amongst their planks of walnut - you may surprised at what you can find. Look for straight grained, especially through the forend and hand of the stock. Other fruit woods can make very nice stocks - Apple and cherry are also good, but heavier than walnut.

Many Enfield 303s have Beech stocks. Works fine for the Enfield action where the but stock fits into a collar with a through bolt. With a more common action - mauser / sako etc the recoil tries to split the stock at the rear of the action and beech can be quite brittle.
 
Thanks Heym,
I think I'm settled on Walnut now. I have a local supplier of English hardwood so will go and have a root around there. He may even be cheaper than specialist suppliers.

Richard
 
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