Hey Guys--This is my very first Poll ever, never tried this before!

Back a few months ago, My Buddy, Corbin made a little wood purchasing trip. He called, asked, we discussed, and I sent spending money along with my boy, enough to purchase 3 very good bastogne blanks.

Now, I know crap about wood! Most of the time, All blanks look alike to me! Sometimes, it's obvious even to me, that something is really good and is going to turn out very nice in the end.

My boy played a big joke on me with this. He knows I am not so good at this. So he searched the world over for the most common $5 blank he could find. While he had all three of the other blanks, he had this sent direct to me. Wow, I was excited, this was going to be great! So I unwrapped the blank with great anticipation of wonderful figure, grain, and something really gorgeous!!!! Unwrapped it, and was completely taken aback, looked like a piece of brown wood, hell plywood had more figure in it than this! Huhhhhh????? Ok, I settled in and figured I was just ignorant. Many calls and emails took place over 2 or more months, always asking how I like the blank? Well, did not want to hurt feelings or anything, so I just kept telling Corbin that I was not an expert, I could not tell, looked fine to me, and that's where we left it. Corbin let Sam in on the deal, I think, but before Sam could look at it I packed it up with some other things I had to send to Accurate Innovations, and told Wes at Accurate, make me a stock out of this. Corbin got wind of it, and in a couple of VERY DESPERATE calls and emails told me under no circumstances have a stock made in that blank???? We spoke, before the blank arrived at AI, and Corbin laughed his ass off at my ignorance! He said they had to search hard to find the most nothing blank in the world and send to me--I think the blank cost Corbin the cost of shipping, and that was it! LOL....... We all had a good laugh at my expense!

Well, I still don't know much about good wood! This is why I never pick a blank, I rely on those that know far more than I do. This would be my boy Corbin, and Wes at Accurate Innovations. A couple of days ago, Corbin sent photos of MY REAL BLANKS!!!! I don't know, but damn, these even look pretty good to me! Here they are!







OK, what do you guys think?

Now lets lay out some ground rules before we get to the polls.

First, these will be made for Winchester M70s in one of the B&M Cartridges or possible 500 MDM.

Second, it's probable that at least on one or two that I will use one of my existing rifles to fit the stock to, and use the other stock for something else? Maybe to put on a rifle to sell, or something?

Accurate Innovations will be building the stock for me. If any of these go on a 50 B&M or 500 MDM, that Aluminum Chassis is required. Plus, I like Wes and Patrick at Accurate Innovations and that is that.

My options are standard on all stocks I have done, Ebony Tips, shadow line cheek piece, and Pach 1 Inch pad on the rear. So we need not concern ourselves with that.

Not in the poll but would like opinions, photos if you have, and ideas is about the checkering? Standard diamond is out with these stocks, some fancy hand checkering is required I believe, so how about some ideas from you guys? Thanks!

Now, my big questions are--What B&M or MDM cartridge should I go with? I suppose in the poll, one can take the TOP 3 Choices.

And the finish? We only have 4 to choose from below, but let's see what you guys like most.

Let's get started!

Thanks
Michael

Question:
What B&M or MDM Cartridges should I have these stocks made for?

Choices:
500 MDM
50 B&M
475 B&M
458 B&M
416 B&M
9.3 B&M

Question:
What Finish Do we Like For these Rifles?

Choices:
Stainless
Hi Polish Blue
Matte Blue
GunKote

 

the first one is just junk.. send it to me, and i;ll get rid of it an evironmentally yresponsible wa

I don't know a lot about wood but these do have a lot of figure. I have a question though about he grain running straight through at the edge of the grip. I was always told the grain should run at an angle so there was no chance of the edge splitting.
Frank

Jeffe
Save your eyes! Michael, spare Jeffe and send that ugly top one to me and I'll dispose of it in a way that is Boomie friendly
Ok that top one looks like it has a strong grain pattern so 500 MDM all the way. The others could make nice safari grade matching pair of 458 and 500 Super Shorts or B&Ms but here is the twist. Make them 18" skinny profile barreled Mannlicher stocks with ebony front end. Give them the classic stylish stalking rifle look.

I don't know squat about wood but those are gorgeous.

Firewood ... you can do better than that now!

Michael

Show us a picture of the stock he first sent you, if you can.

Michael, I don't have much of an eye for things like this, but I voted for the .458 B&M in stainless.

Looks like the 475 458 and 416 running neck to neck and Stainless even with Hi Polish Blue!

Need more votes!!!!!


Frank, I don't know? Hopefully Wes might see this and jump in at some point with some answers? Does not make much difference, that chassis that the action sits in will absorb all the recoil that would get to the wood anyway.


Jeffe, and Boomy, I don't know, maybe they are just so ugly I save them and burn them this winter in the fireplace?

OK, NO ManLicker stocks here buddy! LOL,,, I hate those things, never liked them, ugly ugly ugly! Same with thumbhole blocks of wood, ugly! Classic or go home!

Thanks Fjold, I think they look pretty good, and I bet I know less than you, as I know less than squat about wood!

J, that's all I could afford! And, I know Corbin, he got the best ones, these are the dregs that he let me have after getting pick of the litter! But for the life of me, he must have 25 or more EXTREME HI GRADE PAST EXHIBITION BLANKS--but I guess he just keeping them to rub on from time to time, he won't ever build a rifle with his?

NE 450 No2

Oh my god, I don't have one, thank goodness I don't, as you guys would laugh me out of the country!!!

If you can imagine, just a brown piece of old, dusty looking wood--NOT ONE PIECE OF GRAIN in it anywhere, I tell you, plywood would look better! It was a hoot, and my ignorant ass sent it right to Wes for a stock! LOL



What can I say?


Hey, more votes please!
Michael

quote:

Oh my god, I don't have one, thank goodness I don't, as you guys would laugh me out of the country!!!

If you can imagine, just a brown piece of old, dusty looking wood--NOT ONE PIECE OF GRAIN in it anywhere, I tell you, plywood would look better! It was a hoot, and my ignorant ass sent it right to Wes for a stock! LOL



What can I say?

Michael,

Jeffe is going to be busy with his newest ctgs and the 375 projects and will not have time to properly dispose of blank #1. I'll pay the shipping to 78413 and make sure it never sees the light of day again in its current condition.

Sasquatch

quote:

OK, NO ManLicker stocks here buddy! LOL,,, I hate those things, never liked them, ugly ugly ugly! Same with thumbhole blocks of wood, ugly! Classic or go home!

I've always loved "ManLicker" stocks!! I was just before selling several organs to buy an original Jeffery rifle with a full stock. Who needs two kidneys? And what good is a spleen anyway?

But I don't want to be in the same room with stocks with thumbholes.

To each his own!

# 3 seems like it would be great for a left-handed stock. Beautiful all.

Michael,

Trade them all for one mediocore stick of French walnut!!

465H&H

I'll take #2 in 500MDM Stainless

I will be the odd-man out here, I voted for 9.3 and use the #2 stock with stainless. Would look great, that darker wood against stainless. Shorten and lighten the foreend as much as possible and do a 3 panel checkering move back as far as possible towards the action. Then a full wrap package on the grip. I would also put a stainless gripcap instead of wood.

There are getting to be lots(comparatively) og the larger carts. Build a fancy 9.3 who knows theres several girls in your bunch that might borrow it.

SSR

This morning it appears the 458 B&M is pulling some ahead of the crowd? I also like the 458 B&M. However, I really have too many of them already, about 1 for every couple of days! Right now, really liking my XXEnglish 458 and gunkote. Hmmm.

New 475 B&M not far behind, 1 vote so far! Only have 1 rifle, no dies yet, no bullets yet, and no data? So far, personally I have not been impressed with .474 caliber? With new bullets, maybe the new 475 B&M can impress me? I happen to have a stainless WSM rifle sitting there, with nothing to build on it, YET? Maybe?

50 B&M is right there, along with 9.3 B&M as well! Both very good cartridges, have 2 stainless rifles that would work already in the rack?

The mighty 500 MDM! The big dog of my cartridges! Hmmmm?

Decisions? Can't seem to get a firm hold yet?


No doubt about this! I can see very clearly that I am not the only one of us that really has a passion for Stainless and Wood! A couple of years ago, I happened to notice that about 2/3s of my B&M rifles were in fact, stainless and wood! It crept up on me, and I found myself preferring that combination over all others! I have to agree, with these three blanks it is leaning very heavy to Stainless for me as well!

Keep it up, still undecided on cartridge/caliber.

Glenn, 458 is good!

Sasaquatch, I am on to both you and Jeffe! Just trying to con me out of my fire wood is all! LOL..... I reckon that means it's fairly nice!

465 HH, I would say something, but might offend someone! Don't wish to do that! LOL...
but can anyone say "ribbit"?

lavaca--LEFT HANDED!! Good god man, who is wrong handed? I don't know exactly how this works out, but I have never in my life seen Wrong Handed people come out of the woods except with these B&M rifles! Half the ownership of B&Ms is Wrong Handed People? I don't know where they come from?

Doc, for me the 500 MDM is way up the list as well! I could switch out that english I have on the one I am toting to africa in a few weeks? Put it on the other stainless 500 MDM! Hmmmm. Or........

You know CrossL, the 9.3 B&M was first in line before I saw the photos! Currently I only have 1 9.3 B&M, stainless! I normally build several over time, but only 1 9.3 so far, but I do have one in the works that is going to be gunkote. I don't have a really decent, super nice 9.3 B&M. Maybe so??????? After all, the 9.3 B&M is my medium rifle, but I just don't use a medium rifle, at least not in 6 years? Hmmmmm??????


More votes, keep them coming! HELP???????????

Michael

Well Corbin & Sam....! I never saw this side of you guys! You were absolute Southern gentlemen during my visit! .....I'll have to be careful next time eh!

I am a traditionalist and so I voted for a mat blue. I would have liked an option for a classic caliber like a 404 Jeffery and rust blue finish.

A question - can you get a second stock out of the last blank?

Beautiful wood. Did Corbin get it from Vegas / C Freddy?

Naki

Yes, many of you are still traditionalist, so that is why I had to set the rules right up front. You see, if I used a "traditional classic cartridge" like a 404 Jeff, then it would have been totally useless to me. Too long, too heavy, and like many of my long heavy rifles it would sit in the safe or the rack, and never see the field, ever.

So these stocks have to be done in one of my own cartridges, on a rifle I will use in the field. These are not being built to rub on and admire, these rifles have jobs to do, places to travel to, and heavy work to accomplish, and will be the star attractions in the photo sessions, once the heavy lifting has been done! HEH..... I always give my rifle the "Star" spot in the photos, me? Just a monkey working the trigger! Rifle is the star of the show! Might as well be pretty too!

Done on anything else would have been of zero value to me personally.

Michael

quote:

A question - can you get a second stock out of the last blank?

Man, I have been thinking the same thing! I don't know, it looks close to possible eh?

Maybe I could fool Wes into a stock for one of my lever guns if nothing else? Maybe a Super Short out of that bottom one as a second if possible.

Probably not, but it does look close.

Michael

I was thinking about the woodstove, but it's getting as bit warm for that!!!! :-)

I dunno, something in .375, perhaps...?

quote:

Originally posted by jvw375:
I dunno, something in .375, perhaps...?

Good One!



I almost put the 375 B&M in! LOL, But then I hit the "remove" button!



Biebs, wood stove material? Hmmmm. Well, all I can say it better not turn cold soon!

I will get these sent out and finished before cold weather comes on!

LOL

OK, gotta go quick, momma catches me doing this, it's my ass! Supposed to be hiding eggs!

LOL

M

jvw375 and biebs

Did you vote? You must vote!

Also, how about some photos of some nice checkering ideas for these????

Michael

quote:

Sasaquatch, I am on to both you and Jeffe! Just trying to con me out of my fire wood is all! LOL..... I reckon that means it's fairly nice!

Are you kidding? It gets cold here in south Texas and we have already dedicated all of our Mesquite and Pecan for BBQ. I need something to heat the house in winter with

22 Hornet??? There's my f*ing vote !!!!!!! :-)

Those look like Weatherby blanks to me.

I think a .378 Weatherby Magnum with a reverse 45 degree cocobolo fore end tip and flared grip cap would be nice.

M458-


The middle one is my favorite.
A nice light sporting rifle in 338LM would be sweet!

For the poll I voted 9.3 and well-polished blue.



Cheers
Tinker

I think you need a warthog gun
9,3 Super Short? 375 Super Short?

Where's the Kevlar-graphite-fiberglass composite with aluminum bedding block?
That is not termite food!

quote:

Originally posted by michael458:

quote:

A question - can you get a second stock out of the last blank?

Man, I have been thinking the same thing! I don't know, it looks close to possible eh?

Maybe I could fool Wes into a stock for one of my lever guns if nothing else? Maybe a Super Short out of that bottom one as a second if possible.

Probably not, but it does look close.

Michael

#1 blank - most definately in .500 caliber, your choice 500 MDM or 50 B&M...you just need a really nice SS on Bastogne.

#2 blank - SS in 9.3 B&M...you need a really nice keeper in that caliber.

#3 blank - SS in .475 caliber...why?...cause you don't already have a really nice keeper in that caliber.

And, if you can get a 2nd stock out of #3 - Perhaps a nice thin stock for Mama's little 6.5! Always good to keep Mama happy.

Anyway, that my 2¢.

Biebs, 22 HOrnet,


Michael, Stay behind the damned couch, don't come out until you have some class! Weatherby! Oh My God! LOL------- Those are horribly distasteful things!

Tinker, 9.3 is really gaining ground, both in the poll, and with me as well.

Boomy, just Be Quite!


RIP, you too, stay behind the couch! LOL,,,,, I bought 5 more of those $49.95 Ultimate stocks again a couple weeks ago! LOL...... Just thought it was a good idea!

Jim, leaning heavy to th e9.3 for sure, exactly for the reason you state and the 475 the same. But I might lean very heavy to the 50 B&M since it was what started the whole thing to begin with.

?????????????????

Thanks guys for all the participation, kinda fun eh? Keep it up! LOL---More votes!

Michael

Michael, still on page 1? You're losing your touch!!!

quote:

Originally posted by michael458:
Jim, leaning heavy to th e9.3 for sure, exactly for the reason you state and the 475 the same. But I might lean very heavy to the 50 B&M since it was what started the whole thing to begin with.

?????????????????

Michael

Most definately sounds like a winner to me!

quote:

Originally posted by Biebs:
Michael, still on page 1? You're losing your touch!!!

I think you are correct Biebs! Don't think this thread will make 100 pages plus! LOL....

I think it might be neat however once the stocks are finished to have a "Before" & "After"!

I am very interested in the "After" portion myself.

All three will be standard Michael, ebony tips, shadow line cheek, pach decelerator--only question is the style of checkering, which I think something nice far beyond my standard diamond deal.

Speaking of stocks, my skinny forend XX English should arrive today for the 500 MDM!

Can't wait to see how it handles!

Michael

quote:

Don't think this thread will make 100 pages plus! LOL....

Well, I could maybe help by asking Boomstick and Macifej more about the curriculum in California schools.

No. Fear not!

All nice ideas ... After my 500MDM in stainless is married to #2 blank.

Thought some of y'all might like to see the first blank Michael sent...









Especially like the marking "Special Selection"

Enjoy.

SB

Stockbroker

Did you really have to do that?



I suppose it's a good thing to be able to laugh at yourself! So ya'll might as well join in too!

Somehow, I think you started it...

SB