As a few of you might know I’ve been busy trying to find a better way of producing a composite rifle stock.
Two years ago I was shopping around for a composite stock for my Sako, but after having a close look at some at the IWA in Nuremberg I lost interest. The composite stocks that I had seen where constructed with a strong outer layer and filled with structural foam or other low strength fillers. The outer layer was then milled away in the action area and the barrel channel. In that case the rifle would be sitting on weaker composite filler materials which then obviously need to be pillar bedded.
I’ve always enjoyed playing around with composite materials and my sons now join in on projects. We made a decision to invest a bit and make our own stock.
Modern composites have great advantages but need to be used right, so our goal was to make a stock that does not need to be milled out. Additionally we wanted to make sure to have an ultra stiff platform which transfers recoil from the action directly into the mass of stock. Thirdly it was important that the stock becomes extremely torsion and bend stiff. This can be done by using high modulus carbon fibres in some areas and glass in others.
We chose to start with a Howa short action hunter-varmint style stock. It’s always challenging trying to shape a stock to be equally comfortable off the shoulder and in the prone position. We stuck the prototype on my 22-250 several times to see if it is comfortable or if niggles could be detected.
A southpaw friend was a great help showing the problem zones in left-hand use so that we could correct as good as possible.
Now finally a half year later the first stocks are rolling out. We are very happy with the results so far, weight is as planned 800-900grams. The future might show an ultra light version, possibly under 500grams.
Layer of Kevlar should make pillar bedding unnecessary.
Plenty room for either heavy or as in this case sporter barrel weight.
regards
edi
Two years ago I was shopping around for a composite stock for my Sako, but after having a close look at some at the IWA in Nuremberg I lost interest. The composite stocks that I had seen where constructed with a strong outer layer and filled with structural foam or other low strength fillers. The outer layer was then milled away in the action area and the barrel channel. In that case the rifle would be sitting on weaker composite filler materials which then obviously need to be pillar bedded.
I’ve always enjoyed playing around with composite materials and my sons now join in on projects. We made a decision to invest a bit and make our own stock.
Modern composites have great advantages but need to be used right, so our goal was to make a stock that does not need to be milled out. Additionally we wanted to make sure to have an ultra stiff platform which transfers recoil from the action directly into the mass of stock. Thirdly it was important that the stock becomes extremely torsion and bend stiff. This can be done by using high modulus carbon fibres in some areas and glass in others.
We chose to start with a Howa short action hunter-varmint style stock. It’s always challenging trying to shape a stock to be equally comfortable off the shoulder and in the prone position. We stuck the prototype on my 22-250 several times to see if it is comfortable or if niggles could be detected.
A southpaw friend was a great help showing the problem zones in left-hand use so that we could correct as good as possible.
Now finally a half year later the first stocks are rolling out. We are very happy with the results so far, weight is as planned 800-900grams. The future might show an ultra light version, possibly under 500grams.
Layer of Kevlar should make pillar bedding unnecessary.
Plenty room for either heavy or as in this case sporter barrel weight.
regards
edi
