All this stock about bedding talk finally motivated me to do what i have been planning for a couple of now.
Recently, some of you know, I purchased a new Omega Z5. I could not refuse the price, but more importantly it had a thumbhole stock that I wanted to try. The
Plan was if I liked it I was going to put it on the stainless, put the regular synthetic on the Z5 and then resale the Z5. The regular synthetic has a lug block in it (to reinforcement the lug pockets) and the barrel channel sanded to allow the barrel to float. With this stock on the SS Omega - it shot 1.5/1.25 groups for me with out a problem. I had taken the laminated wood stock off the gun to reduce weight + plus the synthetic stock was easier to grip in nasty weather.
Today I decided was a good day to activate the plan... I pulled the Z5 from the thumbhole but instead of putting the regular black synthetic on it I put the Laminate stock on. I was pleasently surprised when I put the Z5 in I actually had to squeeze the two together to get the recoil lugs down into the pockets. The pockets do have ateflon shim in the bottom of the pockets. Put the screws in and snug them - checked the barrel it was foating - but man the lugs are snug in the stock - it does not move at all and of course you can not flex the laminate stock.
Next I removed the regular synthetic from the SS and installed the thumbhole. In my mind, and I will not know until I shoot it, it is a perfect fit. The lugs are very snug (no shims)and the barrel is snug in the barrel channel. No stock flex at all. It truly reminds me of a fully bedded rifle. I use to bed my centerfires, action and full length the barrel.. and that is exactly what this feels like. My original 24" Remington 700ML in it's synthetic stock fits the same way and is a great shooter.
The other side benefit is the Z5 really looks good wearing that grey/black laminate stock... not sure I am going to sale it now... not sure what I need it for or what I going to do with it but it looks good....
Omega Stock Swapping
