Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Rimfires Re-Doing a Remington 581

I recently bought a nearly new 581S. Due to a very sloppy stock fit it was a poor shooter. I ordered a Remington 541S stock from Numrich. Before finishing the stock I glass bedded it with the 581 barreled action to test for potential accuracy. Groups shrank from around 3" at 50 yards to an average of 3/4". RWS Rifle Target will shoot into a little less than 1/2".
Here's a shot of the rifle before finishing the stock:




As you can see the rifle has nice classic lines now, instead of the "plank" shaped stock that came on it originally. Here's a better detailed shot of the unfinished butt.

And here's a pic of the original configuration:


The stock has been finished now and is out for checkering. I'll post a pic of the finished rifle when it comes back.

That is just plain nice. I have the Plain Jane 581L with factory birch stock. It shoots so good that I am afraid to mess with it.

Leon

Thanks Leon,
I'm thinking I'll have a nice rifle for a pretty low investment.
The rifle was $150.00, the stock $40.00 and a buddy is doing the checkering for $50.00. Throw in the oil finish and taxes and I'll have less than $275.00 in it.
Here's a pic of the nearly finished checkering but it hasn't been oiled yet so doesn't show up well.

Very nice work there. I've contemplated the same project this winter. I have a 35 year air dried piece of walnut from our place in Kentucky that's been itching for something to be done with.

Nice looking rifle!! I have used 2 of the Numrich stocks, but did not checker them. Looking how yours turned out tells me I need to get them done!

Pugs,
I'm don't have a problem tackling an easy project like this one, but making a stock from scratch is more than I can handle.
Give us a walk through when you start.

Justsaymoe,
I would have left the stock uncheckered if not for the remarkable price I'm paying. Usually a four panel checkering job runs from $175.00 to $300.00.

Thanks for the comments!

You'll have a very nice rifle after the stock is finished.
I have a 580 in the original stock that is set up for iron sight shooting. It has a peep sight installed. Just a fun gun.

Tried to order the 541S stock from Numrich-out of stock!

I'm not sure how hard it will be. If I have a take off stock to get the dimensions for the inletting that strikes me as the hard part. The rest of it will certainly take some time so hopefully a little global cooling will keep me in the shop.

I'm a pretty experienced wood worker but there will clearly be some things to learn and like you, I think sending it out for checkering is a good way to go.

Apparently the word got out over on RFC, a bunch of guys have ordered them. If they are out of stock I wonder if they can re-order? Good luck!

I overhauled a 581 earlier this year. I purchased and refinished one of the 541-s stocks from Numrich and sent the trigger off to Brian Voelker for him to work his magic. Now one of my favorite rifles and actually outshoots my 541T-HB.

Almost done! A couple more coats of oil and a final polish will do it.