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Joined: Oct 2008
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OP
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 295 |
I have a very nice piece of curly redwood that I need to do something with, and I was thinking that maybe it could be used for a stock. But first, is redwood suitable wood for a rifle stock, say for a .243 on up to a .280? Also, what is the absolute minimum thickness that a stock blank can be? This curly redwood piece is a shade over 2" thick, and I was thinking about a stock sized similar to a Rem. Model 7.
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 50,635
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 50,635 |
Redwood would not be suitable for a stock under almost all conditions...
Sliced thin and laminated with epoxy in a low recoil rifle it would be sort of okay.
Used as a bench rest stock it would work as well as many of the ultralight woods used to keep the stock weight to a minimum.
But in general, it would not be something I would consider... YMMV art
Mark Begich, Joaquin Jackson, and Heller resistance... Three huge reasons to worry about the NRA.
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,267
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,267 |
[is redwood suitable wood for a rifle stock]
No. Redwood is a softwood (think: red colored pine); while gunstocks are generally/traditionally made from hardwoods - to better maintain inletting/fitting against the cumulative effects of recoil, the better withstand the rigors & hard knocks of use, and the better to hold sharp checkering for a good grip.
Besides, other than color, Redwood doesn't have the grain appearance/structure that appeals to many looking for a nice/pretty gunstock.
In this day/age, almost anything - even Kleenex or TP - can be stabilized, but I wouldn't use it for a gunstock. I would use some mterials,however, for a non-stressed application - like knife scales, etc.
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It ain't no fun, when the rabbit's got the gun
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,246
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,246 |
As mentioned by an earlier poster, redwood is fairly soft and light but, has been used to produce some great stocks when laminated with carbon fiber cloth. Check out Leonard stocks over on www.benchrest.com
NRA Life Patron Member Benefactor Level USN/USMC Vietnam Vet 1969-70
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Joined: Jun 2001
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 19,086 |
Softness has been coverd. 2 inches is pretty thin. Most stocks are 1 & 7/8" at the butt. Some 1 3/4". Does not leave much room for error.Then it does not have any thickness for cast,if you want to add that.
If God wanted you to walk and carry things on your back, He would not have invented stirrups and pack saddles
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Joined: Oct 2008
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Campfire Member
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OP
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Thanks for the responses. I kind of thought that would be the case after doing some web research on redwood. Originally it was going to be a nice burl coffee table, but the wife doesn't want to go that route (at least so far). Guess I'll have to come up with a better plan B for that slab of wood.
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Joined: Nov 2004
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Nov 2004
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What's the Width? You could make a set of Redwood bowls/plates for around the house if you have a lathe
NRA Life Member
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Campfire Regular
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If you make her a nice jewelery box out of it, and maybe slip in a little bling when you give it to her, there just might be somethin' in it for you, too, .
It ain't no fun, when the rabbit's got the gun
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