At present I'm refurbishing a 8x57 Gew.98 that has been previously sporterized. I'm pretty much down to stock choice as I already sold the cut down military stock that was on it. Going back and forth between two options right now.

1. Vintage Bishop/Fajen stock, would be "period correct" for the the end result I'm aiming for.

2. New "Classic" styled stock from Richards or Boyds. Would be easier and still look good, could be finished with some bone carbon and Formby's to get pretty close to the "vintage" walnut look.

Let's assume cost is about the same.

What do you think?

I would use the Boyd's Platinum. Same as Classic but not laminate.

Best wishes,

Jack

#2

I love my Boyd JRS stocks. I'm very disappointed in boyds. I noticed it was not on the website. I understand discontinuing models, but when I called the person was clueless. She didn't know the stock nor obviously what replaced it. She didn't seem willing to help, other than for me to check their website. Captdavid

Most likely the "JRS" is called the "Classic" now.

The JRS is discontinued. The closest I think is the platinum which is the Classic with the thinner more oval fore end vs the wide round one on the Classic.

The Classic has a wide fore end more suited to bench rest shooting than off hand shooting like a good hunting stock ought. I have a JRS Classic in upgraded French walnut that I sent to Karnis. It feels like a Kimber 84M Classic Select stick to me. Plus it's stunning.

Too bad they ended the JRS Classic. My understanding is that Jon R Sundra came up with the design and they got sick of paying him royalties. I could be wrong but I heard that somewhere.

Anyway to the OP's question if you're up for class A treatment I'd do a semi inlet Boyd's Platinum in upgraded walnut. Find someone who'll do ebony end- & grip-caps, good recoil pad, and refine the shape of the exterior taking off the excess wood.

I had that done with the JRS mentioned above and it's a STUNNING piece fitting a Mauser rescue. That rifle, a 6.5x55, will be ready to shoot and hunt soon. Photos as well; for now these will have to do:









Good luck w/ the build!

Been going over Boyds designs/options. I think the Platinum is basically the same design you have there, looking like a winner to me. Probably do the tip/grip myself. Need to finish paying Rick for a couple McMillans for the "twin" 270 rescue first...the struggle just never ends...

Nice job, EFW.

I'm liking Walnut Grove Stocks these days, if I don't feel like working from scratch (which is most of the time anymore!). I'm working up one of their classic stocks for a .30-40 Krag sporter at present.

I live an hour away from Warsaw where Bishop and Fajen use to be made , you can still find them around . Try Fred Wenig, he use to work for one of them . He has a real nice website also .

Thanks I can't take credit though; Karnis did the shaping and a guy in Cwntral Michigan did the checkering. All I did was finish it.

I like Walnut Grove also. I have a Mexican SR Mauser barreled action on which I've spared no expense nearly finished (8 yrs later) and I would love one of their higher grade stocks in American Classic for it. All the have is Euro Classics... I may just have to email them and see if they "take requests" so to speak?