Build along with Badger: Part 2. The STOCK

[meles meles]

Tube guns? What's all that about then ?

*Curious*

[ovenpaa]

Tubb 2000


Eliseo with CH INCH fitted

[meles meles]

Yes, ooman, a gun with a tube around it. We had worked that bit out for ourself. Is it merely a stylish affectation, or does it offer some benefit?

[ovenpaa]

The ability to offer the perfect fit for virtually any discipline, keep the trigger hand in a more natural position, better sight position, better weight distribution and a very rigid light platform.

[Dougan]

Wooden

[Dougan]

Tubb 2000


Eliseo with CH INCH fitted

No offence Ovenpaa....

...but that literally made me shudder...and not in a good way...

[R.G.C]

Wood.
Yes, you're right, wood can have problems with boring kreechers, atmospherics and beavers. However, for a rifle that will live most of its life in a steel box in a relatively stable climate we don't think it is too much of a problem. What problems may arise can probably be alleviated - if not entirely eliminated - by using a laminated stock. I have a couple of rifles that use laminated wooden stocks and they seem okay. Both the Finns and Russians have used laminated birch stocks on their sniper rifles for many years. The Russians still do. A benefit of wooden stocks - beyond the aesthetic appeal - is that they are warm to the touch in winter and cool in summer. Having used metal stocked rifles in Norwegian winters and Iraqi summers I have an opinion on that sort of thing. However, I plan to use this rifle in the UK, hence it may not be so much of an issue.

No, we haven't made our mind up.

Your torsional state is not of concern to us. :roll:

Before reading next posts and discussing stocks, it would be necessary to know if you have decided for a repeater or a single shot action?

Options are entirely different/

R.G.C

[meles meles]

We're still undecided. Instinctively we'd prefer a multi-shot capability - one never knows when one may be faced with a sudden onslaught of Uhlan cavalry - though it seems that for easy interchangeability of calibres the INCH action would be best.

Leaving aside the magazine issue, the aspects were looking for advice on centre mainly upon ergonomics and practicality. Does any particular stock design stand way above another in those respects? How about the mounting point for a bipod - should it be well forward, or up near the action ? Do cooling holes / grooves in the stock really make a big difference if the barrel is free floated with a lot of space around it anyway ? Does the folding capability on some AICS stocks compromise rigidity and longevity ?

[ovenpaa]

Bipod needs to be way forward for optimal stability and whatever bipod you use needs to have a wide footprint to offset the torque effect of the rifle or do something else..... That is a subject for a different discussion.

Cooling is important and the more air around the barrel the greater the heat dispersion and accordingly a reduction in elevation stringing, having said that put enough rounds through anything on a warm day and it is going to get hot. With some imagination you could even use the heat to your advantage in applying some form of convection cooling.

I am not aware of any rigidity or longevity issues with the AI folding stock, they are massively over engineered and should last a life time.

[meles meles]

Hmm, it's looking like a Dolphin or an AICS-X stock then at the moment...