Rifle Stock Question

OkieHenry · 03-24-2008, 12:48 AM

I have a weatherby vanguard in 270win. I changed stocks when I bought it from the synthetic to a walnut boyds' and it shot under 1" at 100yds, last week I put the synthetic back on to properly finsh the wood stock. Went out and shot today and the best group I could get was about 2 1/2" at 100yds. Same scope same box of ammo same benchrest, so is there that much differance in the stocks?

And if so why does the aftermarket stock make it shoot better?

GlockMeister · 03-24-2008, 12:58 AM

My opinion, yes. Wood stocks are usually cut and the fit checked. Synthetic stocks are molded. See if there is some plastic or whatever material sticking up where the barrel rests. Maybe it isn't 100% level and the barrel is sitting a little higher or something. Just guessing on that of course.

But yes, one stock to another can make a big difference. Again,my MHO. Some even glass bed for even better accuracy.

OkieHenry · 03-24-2008, 01:18 AM

Will glass beding make the wood stock more accurate? My FIL is a retired gunsmith but he will not do stocks becase he just don't have the patients and this is my first one, so I Know alot about guns but little about finishing stocks.
here are some pics to show the differance.

nathangdad · 03-24-2008, 01:32 AM

You might have an improperly manufactured synthetic stock either
pressing against the barrel somewhere or perhaps so close the natural
bending of the barrel during firing (yes - they actually do "whip")
brings the barrel into contact with the stock along the barrel channel.

This is not common but does seem to be a possibility in your case.
If you are still in warranty I would take it up with the manufacturer.
If not in warranty you might wish to remove some of the stock material along the barrel channel.

On the positive side congrats on an accurate rifle with the wood stock.
And, yes, changing a stock can make a big difference. Even on a sub-conscious
level some people might have a "flinch" with one stock and not with another
stock of a different weight and/or design style.

OkieHenry · 03-24-2008, 01:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nathangdad

This is not common but does seem to be a possibility in your case.
If you are still in warranty I would take it up with the manufacturer.
If not in warranty you might wish to remove some of the stock material along the barrel channel

No warranty let me Explain, I started out with set of knife sharpening wheels for a bench grinder that I paid $30 for, a buddy of mine wanted them so I swapped him even for a Buddy Hall edition Lucasi cue stick that was worth about $100, a week or so later I run into another friend at the pool hall that wanted the cue, so he traded me a winchester model 70 in 243WSSM straight across, I didn't like the price of ammo for the WSSM so I traded it for the Weatherby straight across at the gun show. So I have no warranty, But I do have $30 in my Weatherby

GlockMeister · 03-24-2008, 02:15 AM

DOH! I'd of kept the Winchester model 70 ( besides probably being worth more since they quit making them, originals by Winchester that is, I here they are bringing them back and I assume it was one of the older ones) irregardless on the price of ammo. I'd of just started reloading or kept it until I could. But then that's me. lol

Also, if the walnut stock shot that much better, just get it done and put it back on. No longer an issue. lol

samuel · 03-24-2008, 04:00 AM

In my opinion,under MOA is great for out of the box rifle.I would get the wood stock finished,try it and after a few rounds look in the barrel channel for wear marks,also check where the frame or housing sets in the stock to see if it is moving.If either the barrel channel or housing area are touching and moving there will be dark shiney spots on the wood.If the housing is moving,you need to glass bed the housing area.If the barrel channel is hitting the barrel you need to take enough out to clear. Reenstall making sure you can slide a dollar bill clear to the housing between the barrel and stock.Be careful to tighten,but not overtighten the screws on the action.If everything is fine it is time to play with loads and bullets to find what your rifle likes.It sounds like you already have a fine shooter.The aftermarket stock probably supports the action better and the plastic stock is just letting it do whatever it wants. sam.

03-24-2008, 12:48 AM	#1
OkieHenry Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Tahlequah, Oklahoma Posts: 78	Rifle Stock Question I have a weatherby vanguard in 270win. I changed stocks when I bought it from the synthetic to a walnut boyds' and it shot under 1" at 100yds, last week I put the synthetic back on to properly finsh the wood stock. Went out and shot today and the best group I could get was about 2 1/2" at 100yds. Same scope same box of ammo same benchrest, so is there that much differance in the stocks? And if so why does the aftermarket stock make it shoot better?

03-24-2008, 01:32 AM	#4
nathangdad Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 1,182	Synthetic stock You might have an improperly manufactured synthetic stock either pressing against the barrel somewhere or perhaps so close the natural bending of the barrel during firing (yes - they actually do "whip") brings the barrel into contact with the stock along the barrel channel. This is not common but does seem to be a possibility in your case. If you are still in warranty I would take it up with the manufacturer. If not in warranty you might wish to remove some of the stock material along the barrel channel. On the positive side congrats on an accurate rifle with the wood stock. And, yes, changing a stock can make a big difference. Even on a sub-conscious level some people might have a "flinch" with one stock and not with another stock of a different weight and/or design style. Last edited by nathangdad; 03-24-2008 at 01:36 AM. Reason: addition

03-24-2008, 02:15 AM	#6
GlockMeister Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 2,919	DOH! I'd of kept the Winchester model 70 ( besides probably being worth more since they quit making them, originals by Winchester that is, I here they are bringing them back and I assume it was one of the older ones) irregardless on the price of ammo. I'd of just started reloading or kept it until I could. But then that's me. lol Also, if the walnut stock shot that much better, just get it done and put it back on. No longer an issue. lol __________________ I'd rather be tried by 12 than carried by 6! Last edited by GlockMeister; 03-24-2008 at 02:18 AM.

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03-24-2008, 12:58 AM	#2
GlockMeister Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 2,919	My opinion, yes. Wood stocks are usually cut and the fit checked. Synthetic stocks are molded. See if there is some plastic or whatever material sticking up where the barrel rests. Maybe it isn't 100% level and the barrel is sitting a little higher or something. Just guessing on that of course. But yes, one stock to another can make a big difference. Again,my MHO. Some even glass bed for even better accuracy.

03-24-2008, 01:18 AM	#3
OkieHenry Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Tahlequah, Oklahoma Posts: 78	Will glass beding make the wood stock more accurate? My FIL is a retired gunsmith but he will not do stocks becase he just don't have the patients and this is my first one, so I Know alot about guns but little about finishing stocks. here are some pics to show the differance.

03-24-2008, 04:00 AM	#7
samuel Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 3,506	In my opinion,under MOA is great for out of the box rifle.I would get the wood stock finished,try it and after a few rounds look in the barrel channel for wear marks,also check where the frame or housing sets in the stock to see if it is moving.If either the barrel channel or housing area are touching and moving there will be dark shiney spots on the wood.If the housing is moving,you need to glass bed the housing area.If the barrel channel is hitting the barrel you need to take enough out to clear. Reenstall making sure you can slide a dollar bill clear to the housing between the barrel and stock.Be careful to tighten,but not overtighten the screws on the action.If everything is fine it is time to play with loads and bullets to find what your rifle likes.It sounds like you already have a fine shooter.The aftermarket stock probably supports the action better and the plastic stock is just letting it do whatever it wants. sam.