What is acceptable?

[bowjock]

I am starting my first build. A stock that is about 20 years old was given to me. I am beginning to inlet the barrel and have notice that the stock has a bow in it, both front to rear and a slight bite to the right, looking from the rear. I started widening the barrel channel tonight, and have noticed that the top edges is getting a space between the barrel flats and the sides are not yet down touching the bottom. I am using an octogon barrel inletting tool for the 13/16 barrel. My question is what is acceptable as far as a space at the top of the stock and the side of the barrel. Since this is so old, I may just have to get a new stock that is good and straight to start with. Any suggestions?

 

[Larry (Omaha)]

Bowjock,
You be the judge, it is your rifle. If you like a 1/4" gap on both sides it is OK. What I am trying to say is if you don't think it is going to be to YOUR standards, chuck it
Flintlocks Forever,
Lar :thumbsup:

 

[bowjock]

Thanks Larry. Right now, I am leaning towards not being my standard. I know I can do better, but not sure if I can with this stock. How much of a gap do some of you guys have between your stock and side flats??. What was or is common? I know a well built rifle will have little to none, but what is commonaly seen on built guns? Anyone willing to share some photos or email me showing good or bad inletting?

 

Do you have enough wood to square it up on a jointer and get the stock straight before you start inletting the barrel again? If you have enough wood you can plane off all the wood that has the barrel inlet and start over on the same piece of wood. Usually on custom made rifles there is NO gap around the barrel inlet. A gap will allow water to get in the barrel channel and swell out the wood and cause a bigger gap in damp weather. A tight inlet is preferable. Good luck on yer rifle.

 

[Zonie]

Like Larry said, it's your call.
I try for a line to line fit along the barrel but I've lived with gaps up to 1/32 or a tiny bit more.

IMO, when dealing with a modern rifle with a rather thick piece of wood and a very thin, whippy barrel, the wood will tell the barrel where it is pointed.
With most traditional rifles, the barrel is the stout piece and it tells the wood where it will live.
In other words, the barrel will straighten out any bends the wood seems to have.
Just try for a close fit and don't try to enlarge the woods groove so that it fits the barrel without being bent.

zonie

 

[Black Hand]

I have steamed stocks with some success to bring them into line. The "up-and-down" comes out more easily, but a "propellor twist" is a bit more of a problem.

 

[bowjock]

Well as it turns out, there was plenty of wood in this stock to get the barrel down in the channel. I have it almost fitted to the breech area and it is not looking to bad. Once I cut the sides of the stock down to be at the mid flat, I don't think I am going to have the gap that I though I was. Will keep you posted

 

[Birddog6]

Regardless of how it truns out, finish inletting the barrel for the practice of doing it. You can also glass bed the barrel after you get it inletted & sometimes completely hide the small gaps & nobody will know it but you.

But it is Your rifle & you do it to your critical eye. Remember it is the first one so it will not be perfect. I have done allot of them & still have never done a perfect one.......... there is always room for improvement, someplade, somehow....
:thumbsup: