Began working on the Apex stock tonight. The first step I've taken is to look into shimming the lugs. Could not find the little cutting boards that Sabotloader uses so I cut some plastic from a GP box. I found that the space under the lugs is different and that the barrel doesn't set right when the lugs were resting on a single shim. So I decided to go back to the original plan of bedding the lugs with the barrel shimmed. I trimmed around the 3 oclock and 9 oclock part of the stock from the muzzle lug out. I also trimmed where the action goes in.
With this out of the way, I began work to reinforce the stock forabsorbing recoil from the lugs. I removed the ramrod spring from the stock and fitted a small block of wood into the space the ramrod goes through. I used my bench saw to cut it. Upon fitting snuggly, I treated the surface with wax. Just leting it drip from a candle and rubbing the melted wax into the pores. This wax served as a release agent for the block so that it could be removed after the reinforcing material was set.
If you look behind the muzzle lug, you will find 3 ribs and 4 compartments. With the block in place there were 4 compartments on each side of the block. I mixed JB weld and mixed with lead shot. Then filled the first two compartments on each side. I decided not to do all so that I would have less trouble pulling the block out. I also filled the compartments behind the breech lug full of JB weld.
When complete, there will be a solid 3 1/2 " section behind the muzzle lug, and a solide 7/8" section behind the breech lug. Upon completion of this step, I expect to have added about 6 oz (both shot and epoxy)to the stock. I just removed the block, and I am glad that I only did the first two compartments. I bugered up the block so I cut that part off and its still long enough to complete the job.
I trimmed the first two compartments and they came out very good,darn near looks like the rifle is made to have them filled like that. None of the shot is visible on the surfaces. I have just filled the third compartment and will complete the fourth tomorrow. I really think it'll help her stand up to the heavy projectiles she'll be shooting. Also, those reinforced compartments will serve as a foundation for the barrel bedding from muzzle lug to breech plug. But it will be a while before I gett there. Tomorrow, I am ordering release agent, and will bed the lugs when it comes in.
Well, good luck. I'm not one to customize stuff myself. Hope it helps out.
I'm not figuring on major accuracy improvements. It is already proving itself to be avery precise rifle. I have consistently got MOA in vertical spread with open sights to 80 yards. That withwith 5 or more shot groups. There really is no way the stock work can improve them. Iwant toreinforce the stock and build a good foundation forand between the lugs.I'm thinking the stock will just hold up better, plus I'm getting a littlemore weight on her which is what Iwant. The other thing I want isbedded lugs, so that POI isn't so sensitive to howtight they've beentorqued. I certainly don't want to experiencea point of impactchangelike MLKeith experienced on his Coloradohunt. I guess you could call it insurance? Anyway, probably isn't needed. Andif floating the barrel affects accuracy, I can fix that right away with little effort.
Apex stock progress
