Stock bending, can it be removed?

[pacomb]

As far as I know, normally stock will be straight (or neutral), but they can also be bent to the right or the left (think they call is casteroff, casterin??)

I always thought that bent or caster, was made directly when carving the stock wood, but yesterday to my surprise, I discover the stock is made straight, and then it is bent after applying hot linseed oil (natural, not boiled), infrared lamps, or other methods....

After watching several videos on youtube, I was surprised how "easy", it was to add that bend/caster to the stock.... wood because very flexible after the process.

My question is the reverse.... can a stock that has a great caster, be removed to make it neutral or straight again???

Strangely, al videos show they bend the stock where the hand grip (thinner part of the stock and therefore easier to bend in that position), but I have a spare stock from a double barrel gun, and the bend is along all the stock, including the large part at the rear.

Maybe in this case, as all the stock has a bend, most of the stock should be dipped directly in oil, and then put in a press or similar.

What is your oppinion?

 

[HankBuck]

As far as I know, normally stock will be straight (or neutral), but they can also be bent to the right or the left (think they call is casteroff, casterin??)

I always thought that bent or caster, was made directly when carving the stock wood, but yesterday to my surprise, I discover the stock is made straight, and then it is bent after applying hot linseed oil (natural, not boiled), infrared lamps, or other methods....

After watching several videos on youtube, I was surprised how "easy", it was to add that bend/caster to the stock.... wood because very flexible after the process.

My question is the reverse.... can a stock that has a great caster, be removed to make it neutral or straight again???

Strangely, al videos show they bend the stock where the hand grip (thinner part of the stock and therefore easier to bend in that position), but I have a spare stock from a double barrel gun, and the bend is along all the stock, including the large part at the rear.

Maybe in this case, as all the stock has a bend, most of the stock should be dipped directly in oil, and then put in a press or similar.

What is your oppinion?


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@pacomb - the bend in that stock is much more then typical Cast On/Cast-Off. I assume that stock is from a side lock Shotgun?
It appears that the “extreme” amount of cast was meant for a Right handed shooter - someone that needed that much cast off to get their eye aligned properly down the barrel. Normal Cast is only 1/4” to 3/8” and never that visible. There are some guns that have custom stocks bent even more then the one you showed - Bent so much it allows a Right Handed shooter to align their “Left Eye” down the barrel.
While you may find someone that can “bend” the stock straight the problem will be Keeping it straight —- wood tends to “return” to its previous position and especially with a bend that extreme. I’ve had 2 Stocks that were Neutral made “Cast On” (using hot oil method) and while both were successful initially - the stocks “returned” close to their original position within a few months. Others on this forum may have better info and even some Stock Makers that know how to effectively straighten a Stock like this. Good luck

 

[Sideshow]

I'd agree with @HankBuck cross over stock for a left eye dominate shooter.
Also in his assestment in bending it back.

 

[HankBuck]

I'd agree with @HankBuck cross over stock for a left eye dominate shooter.
Also in his assestment in bending it back.

@Sideshow - I thought that stock could be a “cross over” for a Right Shoulder——Left Eye dominant shooter but after looking at it closely I don’t think it is bent enough? The “Cross over” stocks that I’ve seen are Bent 3” to 5” to the point the stock looks almost like an “S”

 

[Sideshow]

Not sure Hank have I get all cross eyed looking at them
But every one as you know is different so maybe its what the person needed. Just had a quick google this image may help. Looks like the bottom of the two.

 

[Red Leg]

@pacomb - the bend in that stock is much more then typical Cast On/Cast-Off. I assume that stock is from a side lock Shotgun?
It appears that the “extreme” amount of cast was meant for a Right handed shooter - someone that needed that much cast off to get their eye aligned properly down the barrel. Normal Cast is only 1/4” to 3/8” and never that visible. There are some guns that have custom stocks bent even more then the one you showed - Bent so much it allows a Right Handed shooter to align their “Left Eye” down the barrel.
While you may find someone that can “bend” the stock straight the problem will be Keeping it straight —- wood tends to “return” to its previous position and especially with a bend that extreme. I’ve had 2 Stocks that were Neutral made “Cast On” (using hot oil method) and while both were successful initially - the stocks “returned” close to their original position within a few months. Others on this forum may have better info and even some Stock Makers that know how to effectively straighten a Stock like this. Good luck

I'd agree with @HankBuck cross over stock for a left eye dominate shooter.
Also in his assestment in bending it back.

Definitely not a crossover. It would require far more cast. This was more likely created for someone with a short neck. Assuming you are right handed, it would not take much adjustment to be adjusted for you. I have had half a dozen bent for cast or height over the years. Two did not hold and had to be redone, but were fine after the second effort.

This is what it takes to create a crossover stock.

 

[pilar]

Wow , I have never seen that much cast before! And I have competed in shooting sports in all of North America ( Mexico, USA, Canada)
That is amazing, I have seen people get custom fitted guns where people’s have flown in from overseas to fit their clientele but not that extreme

 

[HankBuck]

Wow , I have never seen that much cast before! And I have competed in shooting sports in all of North America ( Mexico, USA, Canada)
That is amazing, I have seen people get custom fitted guns where people’s have flown in from overseas to fit their clientele but not that extreme

@pilar - likely because No “Top Shooter” could overcome that type of handicap and be competitive….maybe easier to Close One Eye. I can’t imagine the recoil would be easy to recover from for a “simo pair” ——I’d like to shoot one just for the experience !

 

[HankBuck]

Definitely not a crossover. It would require far more cast. This was more likely created for someone with a short neck. Assuming you are right handed, it would not take much adjustment to be adjusted for you. I have had half a dozen bent for cast or height over the years. Two did not hold and had to be redone, but were fine after the second effort.

This is what it takes to create a crossover stock.
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@Red Leg - now that stock looks like a “Work of Modern Art”!