Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Custom Rifles & Wildcats Noob Question on Laminated Stocks

I am completely new to the rifle customization process. I am interested in buying a Kimber 84L Montana and replacing the synthetic stock with a laminate. My question is how much heavier should I expect the laminate to weigh compared to the standard walnut stock, assuming similar size and geometry? I am satisfied with the 6lb 2oz weight of the walnuts, and would be ok if the laminate weighed as much as 6 ounces heavier. I am trying to decide if this is possible, or if I should just go a different route.
Thanks,
CH

I am a lover of all things Laminate. They do add some weight, but are as stable as the best synthetics. Karnis will hopefully chime in as he would be the one to best address the weight issue.

They can be made relatively light, but not as light as the synthetic or the wood. Under 30oz would be pushing it. Doesn't mean it can't be done but the amount of wood removal (contouring, drilling and grinding) would be extensive.

If you decide to go that route you need to start with a stock that is properly inletted along the barrel channel (it should match the barrel contour), start on the forend and progress to the butt stock, then hollow it out.

Here is one I contoured, removed cheek piece, drilled buttstock, hollowed out forend, recontoured grip and comb flutes and added a Decelerator and refinished. Came in at 37oz, down from 46 IIRC. For a Mauser in .35 Whelen.

That may be a real challenge. I haven't found anyone who makes a laminate for Kimber.

I can't resist: Why a laminate?

I hate to say it but Richards Microfit inlets for the Kimber 84.

I hate to say it because Richards Lucky-if-it-fits can have some very serious issues with quality.

They do inlet for them though and they do offer laminates in many colors and styles.

Glad you asked because I was wondering the same thing.

I like the look and feel of the laminates much better than synthetics. I have a hard time buying a nice piece of walnut to �hunt� with. I�m not overly hard on my equipment, but I don�t baby my rifles. Over the years I have noticed my rifles wearing nicer walnut stocks tend to stay in the house more. Therefore, I am looking to meet in the middle and buy/build a rifle I won�t hesitate to use in any condition.
I want a lighter rifle for deer size game, and if luck will have it, sheep or goat. I intend to use this rifle for at least 90% of my hunts. I am satisfied with the weight of the Kimber 84L Classic Select and was curious how close I can get to that with a laminate.
Plus, if I am going to turn into a loony, I figure I might as well be a little different.

I'd say your looking at up to a pound heavier with a laminate.

Your reasoning is as good as it needs to be to satisfy your desires.

I really like lightweight rifles and that makes me the odd man out over on the Savageshooter site since most of them tote truck axle barrels and massive stocks.
It's good to be different.

There is a Micky Coleman built 280AI for sale in the classifieds. Trip the EDGE and put a Lam on it. If Micky built it, its a shooter. Remove as much excess wood as you can, put a decent weight scope and mounts on it and go kill schitt

Any recommendations on cf members who specialize in making/fitting laminates??

I love the laminates, have a flock of them.

Find someone that inlets for what you want or do not do the project!

It would be a shame to break up the combo that Micky put together.

But, if you wanted to, you could sell the Edge on the Fire, buy a laminate and have money in your pocket.

If you do your own finishing and bedding, check out the Boyd website and the Jon Sondra Sporter. They're much less expensive than a finished McM, etc.

I have a Boyd, Jon Sondra sporter on a pre-64/Krieger 6.5-284, pillared, free floated and glassed that shoots pretty well. In fact it's the gun I'm taking in two weeks to shoot speed goats in NE NM. Laminated stocks can be sculptured to fit, hard to do with synthetics. They're stable and work well. All that said, I'm a McM fan. The bottom rifle is an Ed Brown Damara with a McM stock of Ed's design. It now wears a Z3 4-12x50 with ballistic turret.

DF


Rifle on top is the 6.5-284, now wearing a Z5 3.5-18x44, also with an Outdoorsmans turret.

PM Karnis.

DF

thnx...will do

Don't do this.

See how easy that was?


Travis

Why on Earth would you replace the MT stock?

Travis,

He wants to build something, already has obtained a Mauser action. He's looking for help with his build.

Now, he could spend more than the cost of a Montana and have less. That's always a good possibility. But if he's intent on building a Mauser, he deserves a chance at success or a shot at a big mistake. If he learns from the experience, the cost is just tuition. If not, then it's all a dead expense.

DF

Simply because I prefer the feel of a wood stock over synthetic. I have an itch for a light weight, all weather 280AI and would really like to have one with a laminate. I am not sure if buidling one on a Kimber action and getting it in the same weight range as the Select is even a possibility. My opinion is that a homerun would be a rifle scoped out under 7lbs.

However, I am tempted just to say the heck with it save up for a NULA.

Never claimed it to be the most logical thing to do. But if I based all my rifle decisions on logic I would have stopped buying rifles with my 30-06... Grin!

I think you'd really like the feel of the MT stock. Most people do...