FWB FWB 300s - transforming the stock into a sporter

[Gunnertrones]

I bought this rifle last week. With new spring and seals installed, the gun shoots perfectly. I want to brush up the stock, and give it a sporting look when I am at it. I already have a restored 300 stock available, so no crisis if the project doesn`t come out very well. I roughly marked the lines directly on the stock, and used the band saw for a start. After that it was over to the grinder. To make the trigger guard fit the new profile, I also had to grind the base a bit. To my suprise, a nice walnut appeared under the brown and ugly coating. After several hours of sanding, I came down to 80 grit. I will use some white G10 between the butpad and stock, and (after some back and forth) also red G10 and a bit of ebony under the pistol grip. Todays work fill be further sanding, and hopefully a layer of Danish oil at the end of the day.

 

[Gunnertrones]

Yes, down to 80 grit:

 

[Steve Milbocker]

I’ve thought about doing that to mine. You may have inspired me

 

[Steve Milbocker]

I bought this rifle last week. With new spring and seals installed, the gun shoots perfectly. I want to brush up the stock, and give it a sporting look when I am at it. I already have a restored 300 stock available, so no crisis if the project doesn`t come out very well. I roughly marked the lines directly on the stock, and used the band saw for a start. After that it was over to the grinder. To make the trigger guard fit the new profile, I also had to grind the base a bit. To my suprise, a nice walnut appeared under the brown and ugly coating. After several hours of sanding, I came down to 80 grit. I will use some white G10 between the butpad and stock, and (after some back and forth) also red G10 and a bit of ebony under the pistol grip. Todays work fill be further sanding, and hopefully a layer of Danish oil at the end of the day.

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I assume you did away with the rail under the forend?

 

[Steve Milbocker]

I actually like my cheek piece and stippling. How do you think they would look if just the forend was slimmed down?

 

[Gunnertrones]

Yes SM. The forend rail had to go. One of the holes went through the stock, so I plugged it. Should have turned the plug from 11 to 12 (picture), but didn’t notice it before it was too late.
You may keep the stipling and cheek piece as is of course, and only trim the fore end.

 

[Gunnertrones]

And now, first coat of Danish oil.

 

[jkingrph]

Yes SM. The forend rail had to go. One of the holes went through the stock, so I plugged it. Should have turned the plug from 11 to 12 (picture), but didn’t notice it before it was too late.
You may keep the stipling and cheek piece as is of course, and only trim the fore end.
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should have aligned the grain of the plug with the grain of the stock.

 

[Gunnertrones]

Yes Jking, from 11 to 12. Very irritating.

 

[Steve Milbocker]

That is going to be sweet! There’s a lot of these beloved rifles out there and I bet there’s a lot of guys that would love to have a sporterized stock for them. You might be able to make a sideline business doing this!

 

[Bandito]

Looking good so far. I like play by play restores and mods. Be Well Brothers, Bandito.

 

[jkingrph]

I like the hogback shape and the more slender forearm. The "checkering" not so much, but then that's just my taste. The wood looks very nice.

 

[Gunnertrones]

I like the hogback shape and the more slender forearm. The "checkering" not so much, but then that's just my taste. The wood looks very nice.

I`m with you. The "checkering" is a "you do what you can with the tools you have". I would love to make more professional checkering, but at least this kitchen bench solution gives a good grip-feel, and I have learned that it does the job on a sweaty day.

 

[jkingrph]

I`m with you. The "checkering" is a "you do what you can with the tools you have". I would love to make more professional checkering, but at least this kitchen bench solution gives a good grip-feel, and I have learned that it does the job on a sweaty day.

Understand, overall it looks very good. I don't know if I could do as good. I would like an extra 300s stock to try with.

 

[Steve Milbocker]

Understand, overall it looks very good. I don't know if I could do as good. I would like an extra 300s stock to try with.

With no spare I’m a little scared to try this myself. If I stay clear of the band saw I probably would be ok. I used to build selfbows and bandsaws get you in trouble really fast if you aren’t careful. Rasps and cabinet scrapers

 

[Longbow53]

Looking good! A black ebony plug looks good also.....

 

[Silver Ace]

Yes Jking, from 11 to 12. Very irritating.

I think I would have to drill it out and re-do it so the grain aligns. Otherwise it would bother me every time I saw it. But I may have a slight case of OCD.

Otherwise looks great!

 

[Gunnertrones]

I think I would have to drill it out and re-do it so the grain aligns. Otherwise it would bother me every time I saw it. But I may have a slight case of OCD.

Otherwise looks great!

Temting, but now; - after 4 layers of Danish oil, waiting for the last layer, a drillout for replacing a new plug would do it necessary to start the grinding and polishing process for most of the forearm underside again. Or more.
Let`s say this detail reveals an amateur in action, and as a reminder to myself every time I see it. Amateur, amateur....

 

[Steve Milbocker]

Temting, but now; - after 4 layers of Danish oil, waiting for the last layer, a drillout for replacing a new plug would do it necessary to start the grinding and polishing process for most of the forearm underside again. Or more.
Let`s say this detail reveals an amateur in action, and as a reminder to myself every time I see it. Amateur, amateur....

I think it looks great regardless of the plug. Your work is far from amateur, can’t wait to see it completed.

 

[Gunnertrones]

DONE!!