Is there a standard length for the contrasting forend tip added to a stock.

I am talking about the correct length for a classic mauser bolt action.

2", 2.5", 3" long??

Or is it all personal taste.

Also,what is a good balanced looking forearm length. (for a classic look)

And from where should you take the measurement?

From the trigger guard?
From the front of the action?

I am adding a tip & cap of African Wenge to a stock I am working up.

I appreciate any feedback.

I don't know what is std, but I do mine at 1 1/2 inches.......or at least on the short forearm Express type stocks I do.

I think one Mauser factory drawing in Speed's book indicates 1-3/8 inch. That doesn't mean that's all Mauser ever did.

A rule of thumb (for overall forearm length) is 1/2 the barrel length plus an inch (from the end of the receiver ring). There must be thousands of thumbs out there but that is a common guideline. A lot of British makers went somewhat shorter than that.

for a "normal" forearm, i like from 1.25 to 2", depending on the lines of the stock...

generally 1.5 to 1.75 for me

jeffe

Yeah but "normal" for you is 25% bigger than the rest of the world...

Here's what the late Roy Dunlap said. His stocks always looked pretty good.

"Measuring from the receiver ring to the end of the tip the length should be 9 1/2 to 10 inches for a 24 inch barrel. A 9 inch forend is sufficient for a 22 inch barrel and a 10 1/2 or 11 inch is not too long for a 26 inch barrel. Make the tip itself carry the lines of the forend 3/4 inch at least before rounding it off. Do not make the tips, if of contrasting color, longer than 1 3/4 inch. The sling swivel should be from 3 to 3 1/2 inch back from the end of the forend."

If possible what I used to do was make a tip out of cheap wood such as pine, spray paint it black and glue it on with rubber cement or such. After looking at it for a few days you get a good sense of whether or not it's right. Then replace it with the real ebony or blackwood or whatever.

Ray

Triggertate; thanks for the guidelines

cheechako: That is great info on the forearm length- thanks

I've got one at 2" and it's more than enough...I'd say less than 2" and 1.5 is about right.

I was taught this way.... (thank you Chic)...

Forend length. Half the barrel length - 1 inch. That includes your tip. I usually make my ebony tips 1.5 inches.

This is from Whelans book, "The Hunting Rifle"

Frank

quote:

Originally posted by tiggertate:
Yeah but "normal" for you is 25% bigger than the rest of the world...

Just because I am full grouwd!!


Frank,
what if i have no front swivel to mount? heh...

jeffe

While I am at it and in case some of you did not know....






Frank From L>R> Wallack "American Rifle Design and Performance"

And yes I am being a little devil about this.
Jeffe, of course this does not mean you can now ask more for the Ruger 77 I just bought.


what if i have no front swivel to mount? heh...

I sometimes don't like sling swivels and the noise they seem to squeak out at the wrong moment. Very often I tie a band of leather on if I am moving from one location to another and then take it off when I settle in to spot or stalk.

Obviously all suggestions are means of answering questions when a little more information is needed.
Frank

Is there any difference in forearm length guidelines for swivels on a barrel band?

The 9.3x62 I am restocking has one.

I personally like from 2-3 inches in length, especially if you have a nice piece of wood to show off. I have some Nigerian (Gaboon) Ebony that is perfect for a tip and will be getting a full 3 inches on an English Express stock.

I also did a bubinga tip at 2.75 inch on a fiddleback red maple stock that was perfect. The grip cap was the same wood. I didn't use figured bubinga on the tip and cap due to the crazy figure in the maple.

Just go with what you think the tip material and stock stlye will take. My 1952 Mannlicher Sch has exactly 2 inches of tip.

The correct length of a fore-end tip, of course, is "zero." The correct placement is in the glove compartment of a pink Cadillac...

Jaywalker

Edited to add -> so as not to be completely offensive... (I don't like tips, but tastes vary.)

When I install a fore-end tip, the max length is 2" but they most often end up at 1 3/4". The actual lenght becomes personal preference and not any hard and fast rule. To me when they become too short the ball shape of the end almost ends at the beginning of the tip and I like a bit of the tip to have the continuation of the long line of the forend before it starts to reshape to the half hemisphere or the upsweep on a British Stalking rifle shape. Again all personal choices.

LOL, you never get a short answer here. The right answer to your question is "No."

Chic's comment about following the forend line suggests that I should add that if you use the Mauser design at 1-3/8 exactly the way they did, it will begin sweeping up right almost at the joint. I happen to like that look but if you don't then you should plan on a longer tip.

You can always cut it back a little as you want.