[jc89]

Did some reading on comparing the two since LRB is building up a rifle for me right now (22" Criterion medium chrome-lined, unitized, nitrided piston, NM spring guide), wanted to verify if this understanding is correct (assuming no bedding):

1. USGI Fiberglass

- Minimized POI shift when weather conditions change.
- May require reinforcing the fore-end to reduce POI shift when slung up.

2. Wood stock (Boyd's Walnut)

- Requires some conditioning (new coat of oil every so often).
- For long-term storage, remove action from stock
- Might see POI shift due to warping under humidity or heat
- Should see less POI shift when slung up compared to unreinforced fiberglass

Right now I'm inclined to go with fiberglass since it should be more consistent under different conditions, but it is nice that walnut won't flex as much under sling tension.

 

[tflorman]

What is the purpose of this rifle? Competition or just having fun? If it's competition... go with the wood or a McMillian fiberglass.

 

[jc89]

Range shooting, won't be shooting any matches with it. I envision it as an "improved battle rifle" thanks to the accurizations.

 

[tflorman]

Given that most folks shoot from rests at a range, go heavy and keep the accuracy. Small groups are fun at the range. USGI fiberglass, while durable and lighter I believe probably can't hang with the wood stocks accuracy wise. If you plan to bed it, the accuracy will improve...I would have them do it while they have it. Also, nothing beats fondling your own hand finished wood stock rifle.

 

[jc89]

I do plan on slinging it up at the range and shooting. Are the Boyd's walnut stocks pretty well conditioned, or do I still need to be wary of POI shifts in different weather conditions?

 

[tflorman]

The come fairly dry in my opinion, but a couple coats of BLO, Danish or Tung oil and you'd be all set, sort of makes it yours when you do that.

I wouldn't worry too much about the POI shift during caused by weather. If you were moving to Alabama from say Arizona, the change in humidity might have some small effect over time, but the boyds stocks are fairly stiff and since you do plan to sling up, are a much better choice compared to USGI fiberglass.

 

[smoothy8500]

You'll be fine with the wood stock. Like tflorman said, if you were traveling from one day dry climate to damp/humid you might see a shift.

 

[KurtC]

The unitized gas cylinder won't being doing much unless you have a sturdy stock with proper draw pressure. That pretty much rules out any USGI stock. Slinging up creates temporary draw pressure, but you have to really know what you are doing to be consistent at it.

Go with the Boyds. If you decide to wring more accuracy out of it later on, have it properly bedded.

 

[botlaudio]

Did some reading on comparing the two since LRB is building up a rifle for me right now (22" Criterion medium chrome-lined, unitized, nitrided piston, NM spring guide), wanted to verify if this understanding is correct (assuming no bedding):

1. USGI Fiberglass

- Minimized POI shift when weather conditions change.
- May require reinforcing the fore-end to reduce POI shift when slung up.

2. Wood stock (Boyd's Walnut)

- Requires some conditioning (new coat of oil every so often).
- For long-term storage, remove action from stock
- Might see POI shift due to warping under humidity or heat
- Should see less POI shift when slung up compared to unreinforced fiberglass

Right now I'm inclined to go with fiberglass since it should be more consistent under different conditions, but it is nice that walnut won't flex as much under sling tension.

I have several M14/M1A from different manufactures. The best stock by far is the Wolfe Mod Stock which is a USGI Fiberglass Stock, Jon Wolfe stiffens up the forearm and does some other mods to the receiver area. It has the most consistent groups and draw pressure of any of my stocks be it wood or a standard USGI FG.

http://shop.m-14parts.com/M14-MOD-FIB-LW-GEN-II-STOCK-LWMODFIB2.htm

I suggest if you want a Fiberglass Stock you check out the link and give Wolfe Firearms a call. You will not be disappointed.

Good Luck

 

[jc89]

I have several M14/M1A from different manufactures. The best stock by far is the Wolfe Mod Stock which is a USGI Fiberglass Stock, Jon Wolfe stiffens up the forearm and does some other mods to the receiver area. It has the most consistent groups and draw pressure of any of my stocks be it wood or a standard USGI FG.

http://shop.m-14parts.com/M14-MOD-FIB-LW-GEN-II-STOCK-LWMODFIB2.htm

I suggest if you want a Fiberglass Stock you check out the link and give Wolfe Firearms a call. You will not be disappointed.

Good Luck

Oh wow, very cool. Do his stocks require bedding?

 

[botlaudio]

Oh wow, very cool. Do his stocks require bedding?

No bedding required but he does have his alignment bedding process if you want it.

It is an awesome stock.

 

[jc89]

No bedding required but he does have his alignment bedding process if you want it.

It is an awesome stock.

Very interesting - guessing he doesn't need the rifle for that? And it doesn't need to be maintained with a skim coat like traditional bedding?

 

[Guest]

Looks like Wolfe is doing what I experimented with some years ago when you could get a USGI fiberglass stock from Fred's for around $55 or so.

I used an industrial slow set steel epoxy putty to fill in the FA-selector areas and bed the action into the stock using a bedding collar up atop the stock ferrule, this stuff is very workable & easy to trim with a razor as long as you keep it wet. Once you get the trigger group/guard locked in/down using the little "U-lock" (Fancy for a fence post wire nail from Lowe's), the tail of the trigger guard will be about 3/8" from locking in all the way, at this point you walk away for a day or two and let the epoxy set. Now if you remembered to use a light coat of oil on the receiver & trigger group, the receiver will just pop out and you have a beautiful bedding job! Next use more steel epoxy from the bedding and down the stock channel to up behind the ferrule, now that USGI fiberglass stock is as hard as an aluminum baseball bat! And it will hold draw pressure.

Next get out the rattle cans and paint it. I've done this on a couple M1A's using Fred's ol' USGI stocks, it's a tough & durable bedding job and improved accuracy greatly. Now here's the trick when you have a bedding job and it comes time for a field strip, move your unitized gas assembly forward to clear the stock ferrule, then lift the action straight out of the stock, it's a lot easier on the bedding...