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Jul 28th, 2025
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 161
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 161 |
Thanks so much, one and all. That was exactly the info
I was looking for.
Dan
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 161
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 161 |
I believe it's a .308 - Ruger 77 International.
It's not too big a boomer. I'm pretty sure that
I will try and convince the customer that the
blank will be better used for something else.
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,468
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,468 |
Spalting is the first form of rot. If you catch it at the right time, there is no detriment to the wood, simply black lines added. Myrtle is rather hard and is a closed pore wood so it is easy to finish. It is found near the Southern Oregon/Northern California coast. They can only get down to about 20% moisture and the locals kiln dry it from there which is not good for stability. Myrtle has a bad rep for moving point of impact for this reason. I have a bunch if anyone is interested, and they are dried here in the desert.
Pete
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,468
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,468 |
I looked at the photo and the soft areas are likely the whitish mottle under the dark stripe in the rear of the stock. A straight grip would be better for this stock.
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 412 Likes: 4
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 412 Likes: 4 |
Interesting commments. Dan, I have built several gunstocks from Myrtle. I have found that Myrtlewood, while sensative to moisture, can be sealed enough to limit movement greatly. Another wood supplier and I agree, from experience, that sealed thoroughly inside and out the wood moves very little. His personal Myrtlewood guns have been to Africa and Alaska without movement. My clients have hunted all over North America with the same results. However, let me also say that not all wood is created equal. Our results may not be the same as other stockmakers.
The comments about softness of the wood is all important. Until you get the wood in hand it is all speculation. Check over the blank and then make the decision. Your customer will respect you for being straight forward.
IMO if the stock is held low in this blank, one can get a gunstock with a pistol grip. Many stockers have other opinions. Yes, I like the grain to flow downward through the wrist. However, a Mannlicher style with an open grip(4 3/4 " to 5" from trigger) will allow the straight grain of this blank to not be a problem IMO. There would be enough supporting wood to minimize any breakage with the grain in the grip area with this design. An American style closed grip would have to be reinforced in some manner to stop any possibilty of breakage.
I make this after viewing two original Mannlicher stocks in my shop. A Model 1909 and Model 1952. Both stocks broke from abuse during shipping not usage. Neither through the wrist. Both have straight grain flow buttstock to nose. One is 257 Roberts and the other a 7 X57.
Dennis Earl Smith/Benefactor Life NRA, ACGG Professional member
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 161
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 161 |
Pete and Dennis,
Thanks - info absorbed, points well taken. A semi-pistol grip probably would be possible with careful layout. I'll have to see
what I'm dealing with once I get the blank in hand. I may give it
a go just to get the chisels in something different. Famous
last words!!! Thanks again, Dan
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