Laser Checkering Opinions?

[Papa72]

My .416 Ruger has a Boyd’s laminated stock (nutmeg pattern) that was nicely glass and pillar bedded by the builder before I acquired it. Everything about this stock suits me, except it was purchased without Boyd’s checkering option and is slicker than a baby’s butt.

So, I contacted Boyd’s and they won’t allow returns for post sale checkering, which would have been laser. I am usually bold when it comes to home gunsmithing but no amount of watching Larry Potterfield scratch lines on his safari rifle has inspired me so far, and I don’t like purchasing tools for one-off jobs anyway.

Laser checking would be acceptable on this stock but traditional checkering is fine if the cost is reasonable, I.e. $4-500. Purchasing a new checkered stock then having it inletted and bedded to this stock’s quality is my absolute last option. Does anyone know a source that can solve my dilemma?

 

[CamoManJ]

I’m in a similar situation, my 458’s laminate stock is slicker than owl dung & it slides around when shooting. Need checkering services as well.

 

[Papa72]

Yeah, nothing really showstopping for me but nice and functional.

 

[roklok]

There are numerous options for cut checkering. I have a very strong dislike for laser checkering, especially on expensive rifles. I would check with these guys: https://www.ahlmans.com/checkering.html

 

[Papa72]

There are numerous options for cut checkering. I have a very strong dislike for laser checkering, especially on expensive rifles. I would check with these guys: https://www.ahlmans.com/checkering.html

Thanks! Their website says not accepting new jobs due to their machines being down 3-4 months but I’ll save their info if no luck before then.

 

[roklok]

Hmm, didn't see that. There are several other options as well, but Ahlmans seemed to be the most reasonable with faster turn around. I had a stock checkered by David Campbell a year or so back. I was happy with his work, but took the better part of a year to get my stock back. https://www.davidscustomgunstocks.com/

 

[steve white]

The American Custom Gunmaker's Guild will have many people who can be contacted to do checkering. It is also the easiest thing to screw up with a DIY job, or when recutting existing checkering. I no longer trust my eyesight to get it done anyhow. Best to let those who know how help you out. Also agree it is world's better than laser-cut. I'm not sure laser cut can be done to any old stock. It may have to be set up to do one specific factory profile. Don't know. Any pattern can be chosen with cut checkering, and any fineness in terms of line per inch. Gets more expensive, though.

 

[Hunter4752001]

Some time back I saw a video from inside the CZ factory. One segment showed the stocks for the CZ 550 being laser checkered. I suspect his is how most most manufacturers do it these days. However there is probably a world of difference between the cheap low resolution/low power machines used by home workshops, and the machnes needed to do quality work.

 

[Papa72]

Some time back I saw a video from inside the CZ factory. One segment showed the stocks for the CZ 550 being laser checkered. I suspect his is how most most manufacturers do it these days. However there is probably a world of difference between the cheap low resolution/low power machines used by home workshops, and the machnes needed to do quality work.

I have located a couple laser checkering outfits online but all use exactly what you described…smaller machines that have a max table of 31” and cater to shotguns.

 

[Papa72]

Well, I discovered this laminate stock style (Classic) from Boyd’s has a fore end shape that does not lend itself to laser engraving. So, accepting that a glass and pillar bedding job would be a much more familiar job to me than attempting hand checkering and knowing the cost of hiring a pro to do it would equal or exceed the cost of a new stock, I ordered a new stock.

Spend it. More will come.