Hi All,
I've got a 505 Gibbs project that I would like to start in the next year. When it comes to a piece of wood for the stock what should I be looking for. Pretty is not as important as will it be able to stand up to the recoil.
Thanks

Grain layout is critical I would be looking for a piece of Bastogne or English walnut.

Blank 4 $350 shipped
5 day return privilege

$275 SHIPPED!!!

I have had this blank for 1 ½ years and was told it was cut in 5/99. This blank is very hard with perfect grain flow. Would be perfect on a big bore. There is a light, tight, fiddle in the blank that does not show up on screen. I think it will come out fairly well when the stock is finished. Will not be a “blow out†fiddle, but should be subtle and classy.

Width at butt: 6 3/8â€
Width at nose: 2 ¼â€
Length: 35 ½â€
Thickness: 2 3/8â€





Classifieds here at AR, #4 would be a good prospect?

If you have a .505 Gibbs project going it is more than likely that you will have considerable coin in the metalwork before you even get to the stock. And if you are going to have it stocked professionally, you are going to have considerable coin the the labor for the stockwork as well.

Certainly you want to pick a piece of wood that is going to stand up to the recoil. From what I have read here on AR, perfect quarter sawn grain layout and crossbolts will take care of that problem.

My point here is that it would make little sense to put a plain jane piece of walnut on such a project.

Colors and wood species abound , check around as to prices that won't astound !.





http://www.anexotichardwood.com/


http://www.anexotichardwood.com/pricelist.html

Some times Exotic wood purveyors purchase large containers of assorted shipments . Different species in all sizes an thicknesses .

Their prices are FAR below Specialized Gun Stock suppliers . Granted they're not just looking for Walnut , however do end up with it none the less .

Wife says shopping is what separates Men from Boys an the price of their toys !.


Shoot Straight Know Your Target . ...

Look for a piece of quarter sawn wood with good grain flow through the wrist. A nice sweeping curve going from a straight flow in the forend and curving down towards the line of the toe of the stock would be perfect. What you want as far as price from there is entirely your business. Bastogne is very strong but it is getting harder to find good blanks in it. It is a hybrid and most of it has been cut. I would concentrate on finding good piece of English walnut.

BTW have you ever fired a 505 Gibbs? They are brutal on your end.

Dr. K,
Why would you show spalted wood to a gentleman that wants a stock for a 505 Gibbs?

Thunderstick,
Heavy wood with dense tight grain with a nice layout, either quartersawn or flat.
I would look in the English/Turkish realm.

It's not spalted although it may appear to be .

It's Black Sassafras burl from Australia .

It was only a picture to represent different woods . I suppose I could have used Purpleheart or Teak or Maple .

The Gentleman will pick out what he likes best , if that be Walnut so be it .

Below was the point I was attempting to make . Nothing more nothing less .

Some times Exotic wood purveyors purchase large containers of assorted shipments . Different species in all sizes an thicknesses .

Their prices are FAR below Specialized Gun Stock suppliers . Granted they're not just looking for Walnut , however do end up with it none the less .

I would also like to add that some softwoods stocks , properly done would hold up to a 505 Gibbs as it would to a 50 cal. .

What you or I may perceive as harsh recoil doesn't phase wood .

That doesn't mean I would use Balsa for a stock but wouldn't hesitate to use !.

http://www.auf.asn.au/scratchbuilder/timber.html

http://www.tastimber.tas.gov.au/Species/pdfs/huon_pine.pdf

http://www.oregonforests.org/flow/forests/clearwild1.htm

My intent is to simply show others there are alternatives to European Walnut and $4K blanks .

You simply must be willing to look at other species from around the world .

Seems to me Birch and Beech were also used as stocks with a fair amount of success .

I'm not qualifying any particular species as it's an individual decision . The more informed people become about a subject , the more clear their judgment becomes !.

Shoot Straight Know Your Target . ...