Butt plate Inletting

[A. Cooper]

I am approaching the inlet for my Hawken like rifle butt plate and am puzzled by proper technique. Is it correct to just saw out the section for he plate return on the comb or should this be fitted with wood supporting the concave inside? I have no idea how the originals were done. Thanks, feedback from this site is always appreciated.

[Dave B]

It is not un common to see a slight hump on originals in the area of the return. I have not seen one yet that was humped up so high as to be supporting the metal of the return however. most dont bother trying to make the hump, just flat to the point of full contact and leave it at that. Here is an example of what I am talking about the area of the put plater return has a humped area between the points of contact at the edges of the stock.

[J. Talbert]

I have seen contemporary guns done both ways, and have done both myself.  Unfortunately I don't know how original Hawkens were done.  Likely someone else here knows the answer.

Jeff

[Jerry V Lape]

It is darned site easier and quicker if you don't fit the wood to support the hollow in the buttplate!  I have done that a couple times and don't think I will again. 

[Dphariss]

I tend to saw to approximate shape, do a little rasping to true things up then fit with chisels, gouges and scrapers only taking out the wood I have too. Do there is always high wood. I used to do more filing as rasping but find cutting tools work better.
Once past the sawing and a little rasp work its almost all cutting tools. A very shallow 1/2" gouge, I have a 3 and a 4 Henry Taylor, can be handy when fitting the curve especially on a "difficult" piece of wood, pushing straight in from the side of the stock to cut away the high spots. This can be helpful if the wood has a lot of curl especially walnut the is often very soft between the "curl" and does not scrap or cut well vertically.

And as we all say, all tools must be REALLY sharp.

Dan

[Acer Saccharum]

I agree with Dan, a shallow gouge for paring off the high spots.

[A. Cooper]

Thanks for all the info. I think I'll just saw the return area and fit as recommended. I didn't want to commit Plains Rifle blasphemy.

[kaintuck]

Ahhhh.....patience and removal of tiny tiny pieces of wood at a time....
Marc

[Meteorman]

+1 on what Jerry Lape said.
Ive done it both ways under the return, and even a third way.
Sawed it flat, fit the BP, and then glued n screwed a small pre-fitted half round of wood back onto the flat, under the return.
I didnt want those top screws going thru any air, and didnt want any chance for BP return to move side to side.
Overkill I'm sure...
But easy peace of mind.
/mm

[A. Cooper]

After reconsidering, I decided to inlet the foreward 2/3 of the butt plate return (comb) area and saw off the rear 1/3. I think I can't make up my mind. I agree the idea of unsupported screw didnt sound good. Arlin

[David R. Pennington]

I have not had the nerve to saw off the top flat on but plate inlet yet. I feel like that would be cheating some how.