Hello folks,

I just ordered a new laminated stock from Accurate Innovations to install on my Winchester 70 Stainless in 375 h&h. I been pondering about which stock to get for the past year, reading posts on this forum and such, and I finally decided to deal with Accurate Innovations. Following is what I ordered:

Sky Blue laminate, no cheek piece, raised straight comb, and a Pachmayr XLT pad.

When ordering, I was asked if I wanted some checkering on it or not and I replied no... This is where I need some advice. Is checkering needed on a laminate stock? Might it damage or weaken the stock? I also wanted to know if the Winchester 70 Safari in 375h&h has the same barrel contour as Winchester 70 Stainless in 375 h&h?

Feel free to give me feedback and post pictures of any Accurate Innovations stocks you might have... I can't wait to get mine!

Cheers,

Maurice

P.S. some of you might ponder on my choice of colors (Sky Blue) on a rifle chambered for such a classic cartridge... Oh well, what can I say. I just like Blue!!! and I hate the feel of composite!

Checkering on laminated stocks usually does not work out too well. It depends on the wood used, typically it's birch that's been dyed. Birch is stringy and kind of soft, if you try to checker it it sorta crumbles and looks bad. To get a grip surface on a laminated stock (forearm and pistol grip area), mask it off it the desired pattern/shape with tape, "paint" with glue, lightly dust with fine sand, remove the tape and let dry. Try a couple of test patches on some scrap wood, it turns out pretty good. Plus, you did it yourself for almost nothing.

consider having it "stippled".....it's random-no pattern... but bordered like conventional checkering....fore-end and pistol grip area...

I am going to order a Accurate Innovations as soon as my new 350RM Ruger arrives; had trouble getting it from one source so had to get a refund and reorder from another grrrr Oh well, patience is a virtue I want the ghost color with the straight comb and cheekpiece. I think that black/nutmeg color is fine looking. Thank you for the suggestion on the sand additive. Some silica bead blasting material that is new should work fine I think. That I can handle. Please let us know what you think of your new stock when you get it since I will not be ordering mine for a short time.

That is another good suggestion. I could thicken a little clear gelcoat and spray a stipple pattern before I clear coat it... choices choices. Maybe i will have to experiment a whee bit to see what I like best.

Thanks everyone for your input!

Maurice