What stock maker would you select if you were having a double rifle re stocked? It is a working gun where strength and reliability is first concern. Would you try to find your own wood or would you let the stock maker select an appropriate blank? Any ideas what a new buttstock (wood included) should cost? What do you think reasonable turnaround time would be?

Is it a UK built rifle? Are you willing to send

it to www.ttproctor.com in England?

You would NOT regret the end result, I am certain.

What kind of rifle? That's an important consideration.

I'd work with the stockmaker on selection of the blank. One consideration is that he may not want to be responsible for the blank and accumlated time if any fatal inclusions are discovered in process if he didn't choose the blank.

As for price...? Depends on what kind of gun it is. If it's a good quality British gun (even if it's a working gun), the qualified pool gets real small in the US. A correct job for a decent British boxlock will run $3,500 - $4,000 plus the wood. Others can be cheaper.
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"Serious rifles have two barrels, everything else just burns gunpowder."

LJS,

I was in your position a few years ago. My gun was a nice Webley built 450/400 with nice engraving and bores. Unfortunately, the wood was trashed and it needed a new buttstock and forend. I researched and spoke with several knowledgable people. I decided I wanted the gun to look as it did originally so I went with a stocker that had been trained in England, Paul Hodgins.

I worked with Paul to choose a nice blank and sent the gun off. It took about 14 months and cost about 9k when everything was done.

Was it worth it? every penny. The quality of the work was fantastic.

There's nothing worse than a British gun restocked in the American style with an American classic cheekpiece, fluted comb and pointed up checkering or a stock that doesn't have the right lines.

I think Paul gets 4-5k for labor for a buttstock plus wood and any pins or screws that need to be made.

If you are trying to get it done cheaply, he's not the guy for the job. If you are trying to get it done correctly, he's your guy.

My gun is a modern Heym. I am investigating having Heym do the re stocking but thought I should be considering a US stock maker as well.

I'd probably have Heym do it. Known cost and quality.

Why the restock? Bad fit?
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"Serious rifles have two barrels, everything else just burns gunpowder."

400: Stupidity on my part. Brand new gun that fell over on to a carpeted floor neatly breaking it at the wrist area.

quote:

Originally posted by LJS:
400: Stupidity on my part. Brand new gun that fell over on to a carpeted floor neatly breaking it at the wrist area.

Ouch! That's gotta hurt big time! So Sorry..

You might want to try Duane Wiebe. He has the know how and will work with you so that you end up with what you want. I do not think you could do better, no matter what side of the pond.
Steve

Thanks to all for the advice and kind words. My gun is on it's way back to Heym and a proper replacement will be built. While it's at Heym, New Guy is fitting a Docter sight for me. I'm anxious to see how the sight will help these ancient eyes.

LJS

The Docter is a great sight.

I think it is the best red dot choice for a hunting gun, especially a double.

LJS:

Have you established that it isn't possible to repair the break? It's amazing what can be done. I had one broken completely through the wrist, too. Loved the wood and knew I couldn't replace it. I know exactly where the break was, and can't find it with a magnifying glass now. Bond is stronger than the wood. It may break again, but it won't in the same place. Not all are reparable, but it might be worth looking into.

Good luck.
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"Serious rifles have two barrels, everything else just burns gunpowder."

This photo is my 8x57 Merkel. It was completely broken in two in the grip under the tang.

It has survived many hunts by me and lots of shooting. I did do a little reinforcement work on the repair just for piece of mind.

On a pig hunt in California my x girlfriend tripped and fell on it but it still survived.

You may want to contact David Trevallion in Maine. He is a genious at stcoks in general and especially with repairing broken stocks. Purdey trained.

400: Chris at Heym has a stock man who is going to evaluate the stock for repair. I want a new stock and if possible I will use the repaired one. At 67 I look at things with an eye for selling them in the not to distant future so I was concerned about just repairing the stock and the adverse effect that would have for resale.