Halfstock or Fullstock?

[merdean]

I have a Maple full stock blank. I have 2 Walnut half stock blanks. I have a 42" .40 cal barrel with percussion breachplug installed, lock, trigger, trigger guard, buttplate, and other small parts. I have built 4 half stock rifles. Never have done a full stock. With this barrel would I be better off doing another half stock or should I try full stock? One of my worries is ramrod hole. How do you drill it for a full stock? Will someone please make up my mind. :huh:

 

Sounds like you're asking permission to build a full stock. Well, reason number one. You have'nt built a fullstock yet. reason number two. You have'nt built a halfstock yet. reason number three. I have a 3/8 " ramrod drill bit I'll loan ya if you pay postage, or TOTW has a 5/16 ya can buy to do the ramrod hole. Reason number four. 42" barrel won't look good in a half stock. :imo: If yer interested in the drill PM me and we'll work it out. Bill

 

[merdean]

But I have built half stocks. Four of them at last count. The first one is burried deep in a corner of the gun safe and seldom sees daylight. The last couple are not too bad to look at. They ain't perfect but boy do they shoot! I have a 3/8 and 5/16 bit. Both 18" long. I don't think they will work on a full stock. But yes, I am trying to get up the nerve to build a full stock. Please, will somebody make up my mind!

 

The bit I have is 48" long. You run the long channel first then, use that as a guide for the drill. Bill

 

[merdean]

I will have to get up the nerve to tackle this one. Ain't there yet. That bit sounds like what I was reading about. Of course, I could always cut 10-12" off the barrel and make a rifle/pistol combination. Then my halfstock blanks would work. Just have to find a walnut pistol blank. That is not hard. My 1/70 .54cal pistol shoots great. Why wouldn't a 1/48 .40cal pistol do ok too? Will somebody please make up my mind????

 

[rich pierce]

1) Your barrel is designed for a fullstock, and you have a blank for it- seems pretty obvious to me.
2) You have built halfstocks before but never a fullstock- so might learn something new if you build a fullstock.
I conclude you should build a fullstock. Am I missing anything here?

rp

 

[merdean]

Rich
I am doing everything in my power to convince myself to tackle this as a full stock. It just scares the bejeesas out of me. I guess I will have to get a video or two to get me back into the spirit of things. If I knew what type of rifle it would be then I could at least do some studying on the matter. I have never even built a full stock kit. I am so open to suggestions right now. I am getting closer but Will Somebody Please Make Up My Mind? :youcrazy:

 

[rich pierce]

You stated:
"I have a 42" .40 cal barrel with percussion breachplug installed, lock, trigger, trigger guard, buttplate, and other small parts."

That tells you what you should build. A percussion longrifle with that maple stock, that barrel, that lock, that trigger, trigger guard, buttplate.

Not sure why the longrifle is scary. Maybe there's more to it. Have you built from a blank before? Scratch built before (not a kit)? A longrifle is no harder to build than a halfstock and if you look at Indian trade rifles sold to fur companies, the fullstocks were always cheaper. Now that can't just be due to the under-rib! If the fullstocks were cheaper, they could hardly be harder to build, could they?

If you have specific questions about different aspects of building a longrifle, bring them on, these guys will help you out. But we can't give much advice if we don't know what kind of lock, style of furniture, etc., you have to work with.

 

[merdean]

Ok Rich.
You have made up my mind. I am going to build a .40cal percussion, full stocked rifle. Most of the furniture I have is from various sources. I may have to buy some new stuff. The lock is old, I have no idea what it is from but it has seen some light use. The trigges is a single set that is stamped MSMS. I don't remember where I bought it. (MOUNTAIN STATES MUZZLELOADING SUPPLIES?) I have had it floating around for 10 years or so. I have built 7 half stocks from kits and 4 from blanks. None in the last 5 years. I think my biggest fear is drilling the ramrod hole. I don't have a bit (but I know where I can borrow one) and I am worried about that aspect. I guess I will have to inlet the barrel and see where the ramrod should go before I let it get to me. Thanks for the encouragement. It is the push I need to get started. Now I just have to find the time.................

 

[rich pierce]

You'll do fine. Have you not drilled a ramrod hole for your halfstocks? Did you just have a trough under the barrel? I have drilled ramrod holes for halfstocks many times, using the rib as the guide.

As far as drilling for a fullstock, just get the ramrod groove exactly as you want it. I leave aplenty of wood on the forestock and cut the profile after drilling the hole. I make 2 "bridges" of hardwood with half-round grooves in them and the drill is held in place between the bridges and the ramrod groove. One of the bridges is near the muzzle and another maybe 6" back of the forestock. The drill must be free to pass without any pressure. Make sure the wood "face" you first cut is perfectly square so you get a good start. Have the barrel in place with normal pressure on it.

I have a handmade drill that works as well as anything I've ever seen. Got lucky I guess. I drill an inch at a time with little pressure using a brace to turn the drill. A brace is veru smooth and has a nice rhythm. Then back out and clear all chips, do another inch. When you get 6-8" in, take the barrel out and drill a pinhole from the bottom of the barrel inlet to the drilled hole. This will allow you to see that you are on track. Put the drill back in, use a needle to guage how thick your web is at that point. I do this twice, the last one where the front lock bolt will pass.

 

[merdean]

Thanks for the advice. I am printing your suggestions out so I can follow your advice. :thanks: I like the idea of bit and brace. I used an electric drill on the halfstocks and it made me nervous watching that 18" bit wobble. With a 48" bit, I was really nervous but you suggestions makes sense. I had a strange thought. On another area of the forum someone bought a Traditions Kentucky Kit. I think I shall see if I can find one and build it just to have something on hand to look at while building my .40. Besides, it is a good excuse to get ANOTHER gun. At the speed I build, I will have my .40 shaped about this time next year and finished in time for squirrel season next year! :thanks: