Richards Microfit has some of these available. Thinking of picking up one of these in AAA or exhibition grade. Would like to see some examples of the wood. I've seen the Claro and it's outstanding. Bastogne is heavy, dense and would be nice to have on my 375...

Thanks
Ryan

Bastogne, heavy and dense but beautiful.

Is that a Richards Microfit? If so....what grade?

Sorry Pre64 it is not a Richards. It is actually an Ebay blank.

Have you dealt with Richards before?

I have and it has not always been good

I was wanting to try it. Tired of buying blanks and having someone cut them.

Ryan

Ryan,
What model of gun is your .375 and what style of stock are you looking for?

Pre 64 model 70. Close to a factory barrel contour. And then a custom FN Mauser in 9.3x62 with a #5 or # 6 contour with a 26 inch length.

If you really like the Richard's patterns then the best thing you could do would be to buy them with the least expensive piece of wood possible. then have your metalwork glass bedded into those stocks (patterns) and then have your expensive blanks cut from those patterns.

I've done numerous Richards stocks over the years. The biggest problem I have with their blanks (mainly their Classic pattern) is that they don't leave enough wood on top of the comb at the nose. Too much clearance between the bottom of the bolt - usually 1/4" or more.

Richards use a beaver to duplicate their blanks.

And they overwork them until their teeth are very dull!

You need to look at the barrel contours from a hundred years ago. Way back then, without many recoil pads, nobody needed a medium varmint weight barrel to tame a 9.3X62. Why would you need one now? Not sure you will find any rifles or shotguns worth owning of that vintage sporting Bastogne, or Claro stocks. There is a reason for that. If you are looking to create something that will hold it's value into the future, you need to be a passionate student of history.

Your gun is nice but your dog is freaking amazing!

I too have an akita and they are the most wonderful mutt anyone can have. Quite protective of the family as well.
In fact, the duo on that pic is superb.

Her name is Timber and this is my first Akita. I have to say she is a wonderful dog. In that pic she is a year old, she is almost two now.

She is very smart, easy to train and a pleasure to be around. She is a very dominate dog though and if any dog challenges that, it is game on, she is fearless.

Otherwise she is very friendly and loves kids and people in general. I am very impressed with the breed.

I am not 100 percent but think this may be Bastogne. Not Richards Microfit, though.

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/12220603/biesen#Post12220603

I agree..

First thing I thought of when I saw pics of that stock last week.

^^ Very True

Plus one. My experience with Richards is stale but I wouldn't spend money to find out whether they've improved.

Richards photos