....for getting my pre64 barrelled action into a nice stick of wood? I have a 1958 300H&H that is in great shape (metal wise), but the stock is shot and I am scraping it.. I'm looking to turn this gun into a functional looker. Metal is getting a new bluing in the next couple of weeks and I'd love to get the gun into a good looking stick.

What I'm trying to get an idea is a total cost for a finished (ie. ready to drop the action into it and shoot) stock.. checkered, oiled, ready to rock.


I am totally ignorant on gunsmithing subjects and costs so bear with me, guys... But I figured you guys would give me a staight answer. Can I get into a stock like this one (great looking IMO)or maybe something similar for around 1500$? More? Less? I want a decent piece of walnut with either an ebony or buff horn fore end if possible. It does not have to be a Purdey or H&H bespoke quailty piece of wood, just nice.



Thanks in advance for the help, guys for getting me started on the 1st steps of a soon to be great looking rifle.. leopard medicine when she's all done.

quote:

Originally posted by Scottyboy:
....for getting my pre64 barrelled action into a nice stick of wood? I have a 1958 300H&H that is in great shape (metal wise), but the stock is shot and I am scraping it.. I'm looking to turn this gun into a functional looker. Metal is getting a new bluing in the next couple of weeks and I'd love to get the gun into a good looking stick.

Whoa there! you're putting the cart before the horse.

Bluing should come after the stock is fitted.

As to your question, going rate for the stock shown is a lot closer $4k than $1,500 if done by a "name" stockbuilder. You might contact someone such as Dennis Olson. He has a similar pattern and his work is extremely reasonable cost-wise and consistently outstanding in all respects.

Well there ya go Jason.. I had no idea that the bluing has to come after the stock! Tells you how much I know about gun working!

I will give Dennis a call and see if he can get me into something similar as the one pictured for a decent price.. I was hoping to stay under the 2K mark if at all possible but I may be reaching for the stars it seems.

I believe $4000 would be a minimum from my own personal experience.
Butch

$4000 is pretty reasonable considering the time it takes to shape, inlet, checker and finish a true custom stock. Look at it this way: $4000 is only 80 hours at $50 an hour, and $50 an hour for truly expert hand work is a bargain nowadays.

Any custom stockers have input on the number of shop hours required to produce a fine custom stock?

Name makers mostly make their stocks totally from scratch. If you get a stock that is cut on a stock duplicator to 95% or more finished, and have a good, but not famous (non-guild member) finish the stock, you can get a very nice stock completely done for $1500. You may have to shop around for a fellow that will do it right. I know such a fellow in northern Colorado.

Prices can vary immensely but for the quality of the wood in that photo.....I think the guys are not too far off.

For that reason I do my own.....and I'm not in the business so can't offer any help there.

There's a lot of folks that post here that are magnificient gun makers....you might want to ask a few for your own information. Look through the custom gun forum for those that do this kind of work and send a few PMs

BTW.....the wood blank alone for that stock may have been $500 or more!!!!!

you might try and take a look at luxus walnut. sometimes clay will have an overrun or one somebody reniged on

quote:

Originally posted by butchloc:
you might try and take a look at luxus walnut. sometimes clay will have an overrun or one somebody reniged on

I was thinking just that. I wonder what they would run? I'll have to give them a ring and find out.

COMatt, if possible let me know who your guy in CO is.. I would like to get a list of potentials going. Thanks!

Perry Mittlestadt. He is now in Cedar Edge Colorado. I lost his address and Phone number, but I will find it for you and send you a P.M. He is also a great general gunsmith. He has built many BPCR type guns using Remington rolling block actions and High Walls etc. He even does cool things with martini cadet actions, even converting the rimfire martini's to centerfire (Bushing the firing pin etc). His color-case-hardening is beautiful. I believe he use to be a tool and die maker before he took up gunsmithing/gunmaking. He is a very talented stockmaker, and what he asks for his stock work is a real value.

I would not splurge heavy dollars on stocking a Pre64, without prior comprehensive high quality action trueing & finishing.

....and Conetrols.................

Trax what kind of rings and bases are those?

Conetrols!
Butch

Conetrol

I know you are asking about wood but I put a McMillan classic stock on my 257 Roberts and a McMillan Safari on my 458 Lott and I am really happy with them.

A person can spend as much as they want as usual. I'll offer the less than 4k alternative. I bought the blank for this rifle for $250, I believe about $150 to get it duplicated, about $300 for checkering. About $60 for the buttplate and grip cap. Can't recall what I paid to get it blued, but it was a hot blue so lets say $150. I did the rest of the work myself. So I was in it less than 1k, with the cost of the donor rifle I was in around $1,400. It shot great so I saw no need to re-barrel. Now it's not a Weibe obviously but I did it more for practice and it came out ok. I imagine you could get a competent person to finish the semi inlet at a resonable price and still be way under 4k. I'm not saying it will be just as good or that the value in exquisite metal and wood work is over priced, just saying most people can find something that meets a lessor budget and still be happy with the rifle for what is and not be put off by what it isn't.

If you want it stocked in the UK then there are stockers who actually DO stocking for Holland's who will also, as they are all self-employed, do stocking for a private individual that walks through their door.

2500 min for wood and labor would be a the low end... 4000 for the wood and labor for a first class stick is about right.

Ed