Stock strength after inletting question

[rhs]

I just finished inletting a L& R Classic lock into a longrifle stock which had been inletted for a straight 1" 54 cal barrel. The lock is tight to the barrel, square and only the minimum of wood was removed. As I finished, I saw that the relief for the mainspring has only left a paper thin piece of wood between it and the ramrod groove. This is an old stock that had previously been inletted for the barrel and when it was done a groove connecting the barrel channel to the ramrod hole was put in for about 10 inches at the breech end. Does this weaken the stock and should I have changed the mainspring to leave more wood.

 

[Flintandsteel]

rhs,

This is a very common situation. Most of my guns have either that paper thin area, or sometimes even break into the rr channel.
There is still and ample amount of wood to hold that stock together both above and below that inlet.
Most Longrifle stocks are quite thin around the barrel channel, and hold together quite well. Just remember, it's not a club. Use common sense when loading, and banging it around. If you are like most shooter/builders, you're gonna baby that thing anyway.

Hope this helps. eace: :imo:

 

[Terry Zboril]

Rhs,
The router is a modern way of drilling a "true" ramrod hole, by some suppliers.
:imo:. this DOES weaken it, as the "web" is gone, and you only have a "u" shaped forestock.

Many are built this way, however, so don't worry about it.

If I have to use one of these, I usually glue in a wood plug in the routed slot and redrill.(you need a long RR drill for this).

The mainspring intruding,(or close) to the RR hole (and possibly the bottom oblique barrel flat), is common with either method, especially with smaller diameter barrels and larger locks. Leave the Mainspring as meaty as possible.

I wouldn't worry about it.

Regards,
Terry

 

[BLAHMAN]

As long as you don't use it for a base ball bat, it should be ok. :imo: