I am about to build a DG rifle and need advise re stock design. My objective is to have a 416R that handles like an english bird gun with minimum recoil.
I have used Mannlichers and a Sauer 90 in medium calibers for 25 years so thats what Im used to. Are their any people in the US who build stocks to measure as in the UK? US or Eurpoean stock designs?

Comments please.

John,
for a DG rifle, *I* believe that it should have some heft, a little nose heavy, and be of the correct LOB, with the minimum drop you can have and use the irons. Sounds like you want a guild gun in 10.75x68, rather than a 416rem. you meant R-emington, not rigby, I assmume, the rigby actions are longer than even the rem, and will add heft.

A real rigby or mauser african might fit your bill... 10.75x68, 9,3x62 or 64... 376 steyr, or even the 416 aagared will help in recoil. but a rifle that handles like a bid gun will PROBABLY be lighter than normal and will kick.

boddington had a 6.5# 416 hoffman, that he said kicked like hell

jeffe

Wenig Custom Gunstocks has a website and they do what you requested. Wnigs has fine wood and I've seen their work personally but have not had one done yet. Will do so on my next appropriate project. Keep the stock as straight as possible to minimize apparent recoil. Blessings.

jeffe my 300 is a little over 10/lbs with the scope and handles very well. I definatley do not want a light DG rifle. Im tryinng for balance and handeling capability

Tell me why you want it to be barrel heavy? I wouldnt have thought that might be an advantasge. But thats exactly why Im asking....I dont have the experience you guys do.

Thanks

John

A slight barrel heavy gun will track & swing better. It will also hang better for those inevitable off hand shots.

Kinda like a goose gun.

LD

This story (true) is about a friend of mine fitting himself for his shotgun, but I am sure it would work for a rifle as well.

He bought a brand new Krieghoff shotgun. Paid some UnGodly amount of money for it and it had absolutely beautiful wood. But it didn't fit him and he shot poorly with it.

Soon thereafter, the next time I saw it that beautiful wood had lots of green spots on it. Places where he had taken a rasp and cut off wood and then built up with car body putty. He changed the grip, he changed the height of the comb, he changed the width of the forearm. He changed a bunch of stuff. And then when he was done changing he had a new stock made on a duplicting machine. And now it fits him.

If I were having an expensive dangerous game rifle made I'd start with a CHEAP stock made for that barreled action. I'd hog it out to get the barreled action in it, and then I would Live with it for awhile. Shoot it. Carry it, etc., and see how it felt. Probably start rasping on it, or building it up in places, until I had it just right for me. Then I'd Glass bed the action to it. And then have it run through a duplicator with a nice piece of wood. And then hire an expert Stockmaker to finish it off.

John,
with a little weight forward, I believe you get the following

steadier off hand shooting
(slightly) less muzzle flip
easier handling .. swings better, to a point
carries a bit better, as I take my sling off when i am in the brush (it's for carrying, not hunting!!)


I "believe" that a slighly nose heavy rifle can also weigh a couple ounches lighter than a even or rear balanced rifle

A weight slightly forward balance promotes swing through, ie. not stopping the swing in shotgun shooting and moving target rifle. It also "smooths" the swing motion and in the offhand shot it "hangs" in the hand better. If you like bird guns you'll notice they usually feel best when the balance point is just infront of the knuckle, for a rifle I like the point at the floorplate hinge or there abouts.

All of my wood stocked guns are done by Roger Biesen, can't ever ask for more than what he does. The stocks always feel great, balance well, his checkering is wonderful, and his metal work is top class. His fathers work was good enough for Jack O'Conner, and the skills of Al have carried on to Roger. www.biesen.com

A well fitting gun does more to give you that in between the hands lively feel than any other aspect of a rifle. I like the American classic style but with a bit more drop at heel and cast off. I also like a bit shorter fore end as well, similar to the british guns.

You should have no problem finding any number of gun/stock makers in the US to build a first class rifle for you. The Custom GunMakers Guild is a good place to start.

ACGG

I would want a rifle to be a lot more muzzle heavy than an English bird gun. As a matter of fact, I like a bit of muzzle weight and 28 in. barrels on a double gun, 20 or 28 ga. A rifle and shotgun just aren't used in the same manner so the dynamics should be different. Jeffe's reasons pretty much sums it up.