Thoughts on stock blank thickness and layouts for warped stock blanks

[Ron Scott]

I  get inquiries about Walnut stock blanks. One of the frequent misconceptions is the required thickness of the stock blank.  My primary focus is Jaeger Rifles, so we will use that as an example. Regardless of the barrel breech, the primary thickness dimension is the widest portion of the butt plate and thickest portion of the cheek piece. A typical butt plate is 2 1/8 inch wide and cheek pieces add 3/8 inch, so it is possible to build using a 2 1/2 inch thick blank. Granted this means you have little room for error.

Another useful idea is to plan your project layout based on the centerline of the barrel rather than edge of the stock blank. This will enable usage of a warped stock, as illustrated in this example. This is a piece of stump cut Circassian Walnut. The complex compression of stump cut blanks sometimes yields warpage during drying. Yes, I have tried clamping them during drying. To make use of a stock like this one, I measured and marked the needed center of the butt plate on the top of the blank, the center of the breech, the center of the muzzle and drew a line connecting those points. As seen in the photos, there is enough wood to compensate for the nearly 1/2 inch warp at wrist. Of course cast can be working into the layout as well.

[ScottH]

Thanks Ron!
One question, once a blank has dried and warped and is useable, have you experienced any warping after the stock is shaped?

[jerrywh]

This is not directed at Ron Scott.   It is just a bit of additional info for those who don't know.  Bending is simpler than you think.  Just try it. It's permanent also. Bend them straight.

[Ron Scott]

I have not had any stocks bend after construction. I think Dave Rase will tell you he has inlet barrels for me in several of my stocks that were warped in a similar fashion.

[ScottH]

Thanks, both Ron and Jerry!

[jerrywh]

My thought is to rough saw out the blank then bend it straight before inlaying the barrel.

[Stophel]

The blank may be bent, but the wood is now in the position that it naturally wants to be.  Leave it there.