Custom Wood Stock Options

[perdurabo]

When it comes to quality wood rifle stocks is there a middle ground between the lower end cookie cutter machine cut $200-$500 stock makers like Boyd's, Stocky's, and Richard's and the high end bespoke stock makers that charge $5k+ for just the labor to make the stock and have a 3 year waiting list?

Where can I get a decent custom stock made from my provided blank inlet to my provided action with exactly the features I want for less money and less wait?

 

[AZDAVE]

Well you asked the million dollar question. In my research the only in between ground is to do it yourself. Once you have done a stock from a blank you will see why they charge $5K+ to do the work.

 

[Luvthunt]

As AZDave said.

 

[Doug3006]

Well you asked the million dollar question. In my research the only in between ground is to do it yourself. Once you have done a stock from a blank you will see why they charge $5K+ to do the work.

Oh brother you said it! I’m in the middle of restocking a AHR 416 Rigby. I’ve done several restockings using Richards stocks. The project has hit the “I’m over it” phase. Happens every time. I’ll push through it and have a beautiful stock when I’m done. So if you have any hesitation in tackling a DIY rifle stock, listen to that little voice in your head!

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Nothing says you can't order a semi-finished factory stock in better grade walnut and dress it up. For example, you could order a European style higher grade walnut stock from Boyd's with no finish (they charge extra for that ... go figure) and no laser checkering. Fit the action and barrel into the stock yourself and then send it out to be checkered by hand. I found several artisans on the net that exclusively do checkering. Then cut the recoil pad (very affordable jigs are available on the net) and apply oil finish. I have stocked several of my rifles and shotguns that way (sans checkering). It's work but not rocket science.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Whether you plan upon doing the work yourself or going to a specialist spend the money and time to get the right wood. There is nothing more soul destroying than putting in all that work to only find it doesn’t wow you. I did and am now putting the old original stock back on.

 

[roklok]

It depends on how much you can do yourself. Keep an eye on Ebay or Gunbroker for precarved stocks for your rifle. I just did this to my 98 Mauser .375, found a beautiful English walnut Mauser rough carved stock on Gunbroker, finished it myself. Finished meaning cut to length of pull, installed recoil pad, inletted barreled action, glass bedded barreled action, installed crossbolts, installed ebony cap, sanded and contoured, installed steel rod in wrist, installed forward recoil lug for barrel, installed sling stud, and applied finish. Then I sent it out to have it hand checkered. I have checkered stocks myself, but am an amateur, and this stock and rifle deserved better. All in the stock cost around $1000.00, $450.00 of which was for checkering. I paid $500.00 for the carved stock. I am extremely happy with it ! I have seen stocks and checkering on $18,000.00 dollar rifles I don't think look as good. However, Accurate Innovations might be exactly what you are looking for if you can't or don't wish to do it yourself. They offer some very nice stocks in the middle ground between cheaper stocks and full blown custom work; https://www.aigunstocks.com/

Here is my .375 I just restocked:

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

It depends on how much you can do yourself. Keep an eye on Ebay or Gunbroker for precarved stocks for your rifle. I just did this to my 98 Mauser .375, found a beautiful English walnut Mauser rough carved stock on Gunbroker, finished it myself. Finished meaning cut to length of pull, installed recoil pad, inletted barreled action, glass bedded barreled action, installed crossbolts, installed ebony cap, sanded and contoured, installed steel rod in wrist, installed forward recoil lug for barrel, installed sling stud, and applied finish. Then I sent it out to have it hand checkered. I have checkered stocks myself, but am an amateur, and this stock and rifle deserved better. All in the stock cost around $1000.00, $450.00 of which was for checkering. I paid $500.00 for the carved stock. I am extremely happy with it ! I have seen stocks and checkering on $18,000.00 dollar rifles I don't think look as good. However, Accurate Innovations might be exactly what you are looking for if you can't or don't wish to do it yourself. They offer some very nice stocks in the middle ground between cheaper stocks and full blown custom work; https://www.aigunstocks.com/

Here is my .375 I just restocked:
View attachment 583672

Very nice. Red oil takes it up a notch.

 

[AZDAVE]

Red oil and english walnut should always be used together.

 

[Altitude sickness]

Making a nice stock. Appears to me like it would be very easy to have a good supply of firewood.

It would be tough to get weeks into one and make a mistake. When learning to make all wood bows. I mage a lot of kindling

 

[Wishfulthinker580]

When it comes to quality wood rifle stocks is there a middle ground between the lower end cookie cutter machine cut $200-$500 stock makers like Boyd's, Stocky's, and Richard's and the high end bespoke stock makers that charge $5k+ for just the labor to make the stock and have a 3 year waiting list?

Where can I get a decent custom stock made from my provided blank inlet to my provided action with exactly the features I want for less money and less wait?

Price Calculator - Accurate Innovations Gunstocks

www.aigunstocks.com

 

[Jetjockey]

I’m going to disagree with some of the guys to a certain extent. There are some very good stock makers that don’t charge a fortune. You might have to use one of their stock designs or have your stock duplicated, but I’m a sucker for good wood. My Kimber was duplicated and restocked using a piece of Turkish walnut, and my M-70 cost $1500 for the entire stock, including the wood. The M-70 was done about 10-11 years ago though. My Kimber was about $2500 for the labor and all the small stuff, plus the wood.

 

[CZDiesel]

Call LeRoy Berry at Canyon Creek custom gunstocks! Look at his website and you’ll see plenty of very nice wood blanks well under $1000…
Yes there may be a wait but it’s well worth it!

 

[Jetjockey]

Call LeRoy Berry at Canyon Creek custom gunstocks! Look at his website and you’ll see plenty of very nice wood blanks well under $1000…
Yes there may be a wait but it’s well worth it!

That’s just for the blanks. You’ll quickly be in the $3500-$4k range for the stock.

 

[CZDiesel]

@Jetjockey Reread the OP and he states $5k for labor alone… I’m sure he can get it done for well under this.
Only way to know is to give a call to one of the best there is right? Hope all is well and your week is off to a great start as mine is

 

[Jetjockey]

@Jetjockey Reread the OP and he states $5k for labor alone… I’m sure he can get it done for well under this.
Only way to know is to give a call to one of the best there is right? Hope all is well and your week is off to a great start as mine is

Oh I know. I was at $4200 for just the labor at Canyon Creek, plus a stick of their wood, which they are very proud of as well. I was looking at $6500 for the entire stock. Canyon creeks makes great stocks but their prices have really crept up. Tsavo Custom Firearms did my entire stock for $3800, which included this piece of Turkish Walnut.

 

[MS 9x56]

It depends on how much you can do yourself. Keep an eye on Ebay or Gunbroker for precarved stocks for your rifle. I just did this to my 98 Mauser .375, found a beautiful English walnut Mauser rough carved stock on Gunbroker, finished it myself. Finished meaning cut to length of pull, installed recoil pad, inletted barreled action, glass bedded barreled action, installed crossbolts, installed ebony cap, sanded and contoured, installed steel rod in wrist, installed forward recoil lug for barrel, installed sling stud, and applied finish. Then I sent it out to have it hand checkered. I have checkered stocks myself, but am an amateur, and this stock and rifle deserved better. All in the stock cost around $1000.00, $450.00 of which was for checkering. I paid $500.00 for the carved stock. I am extremely happy with it ! I have seen stocks and checkering on $18,000.00 dollar rifles I don't think look as good. However, Accurate Innovations might be exactly what you are looking for if you can't or don't wish to do it yourself. They offer some very nice stocks in the middle ground between cheaper stocks and full blown custom work; https://www.aigunstocks.com/

Here is my .375 I just restocked:
View attachment 583672

Very nice looking stock.

 

[Longwalker]

If you aren't stuck on supplying your own blank, consider an overseas supplier. I ordered a stock from Australia, Hatcher's Rifle stocks. You would need to do the final fit and finish or have someone do it, but I'm very satisfied with mine. Cameron does good work, and has some really nice wood in his inventory. Value for money is certainly better than most.

 

[Rare Breed]

Oh I know. I was at $4200 for just the labor at Canyon Creek, plus a stick of their wood, which they are very proud of as well. I was looking at $6500 for the entire stock. Canyon creeks makes great stocks but their prices have really crept up. Tsavo Custom Firearms did my entire stock for $3800, which included this piece of Turkish Walnut.

View attachment 584223View attachment 584224

Gorgeous piece of wood!!!!!

 

[Tintin]

If you aren't stuck on supplying your own blank, consider an overseas supplier. I ordered a stock from Australia, Hatcher's Rifle stocks. You would need to do the final fit and finish or have someone do it, but I'm very satisfied with mine. Cameron does good work, and has some really nice wood in his inventory. Value for money is certainly better than most.

Here's one of Cam's for my in-progress .333 Jeffery

https://www.africahunting.com/threads/333-jeffery-barrel-dimensions.69764/post-1021945