I have a newly barreled MKX barreled action in 308 Norma waiting for a stock. I have these two wood blanks laying on the bench. The first is Bastogne with walnut tip and cap in a clsssic style. Please don't look real close it it was the second stock I made about 30 years ago.<BR><IMG SRC="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a208/Ramrod340/DSC00538.jpg"> <BR><BR>This is a black walnut with ebony tip and cap. When I got it someone had started shaping and there was too much wood removed at the butt to leave a .75" classic drop. I was reading Les Brooks CD and he talked about using up to a 1.25" drop on a classic. There is enough wood to allow a reshape to a classic and a 1.1" drop. <BR><IMG SRC="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a208/Ramrod340/DSC00137.jpg"> <BR><BR>I'm open for any other ideas.Use the Classic BastogneUse the Monte Carlo as is.Try to reshape to a 1.1" dropped Classic

actually there is no bad decision here.......both stocks look nice.

Sir,

The 308 Norma is in my opinion a classic caliber and classic calibers demand a classic stock. I've never been a big Monte Carlo fan so I must cast my vote for the Bastogne stock. Vapodog is right though, I don't think you could loose either way.


Tex

Ramrod,

I don't see a problem , but could be less recoil felt with the monte carlo shape. If you cut away the monte carlo top you may not have enough wood for a nice looking cheek piece. I referred to the greater amount of drop in stocks for people using glasses to shoot.

After the bash at Jeffe I took a bad fall and broke my left wrist. During this time I have been putting a DVD together on my way of checkering from my video tapes. Jeffe should get a copy to review shortly. This was a project I could do with one hand.

If I were you I would use the bottom one & sell the top one to Doug Humbarger!

OR

Use the top one & sell the bottom one to Doug Humbarger & let him worry about reshaping it.

since it's a norma, it will probably be scoped, right?

use the top one!!

jeffe

Doug, I'm totally speechless as to your generousity. LOL

Les Sorry to hear about your wrist. Hope all gets better. I'm concerned as well about the cheek piece. As it set now the cheek piece is way to high for my face.

While I really prefer the look of the Bastogne I just like a classic style more. I'm leaning towards the Monte Carlo simply because my 358Norma has a Monte Carlo.

How's that for a reason. LOL As to all those kind people that would take the leftovers off my hands I have a 25-06 waiting in the wings.

I voted for the MC stock as is. To me, that will give you ejnough wood to really fit yourself best for minimum felt recoil. I also think the top stock would look more appropriate on a .25-06 or some other lighter caliber.

Also, having been a very active shooter, gun shop owner when the .358 Norma first came out, I recall that the "classic" stock on those rifles generally WAS a MC rig. So, it would be fitting to the era of the cartridge.

Still, it's all a matter of personal taste & preference. Neither is gonna be a "dog"...