oldwun

I did build a hardwood insert to go in between the the lug pockets on a regular black synthetic stock. The insert drops in between the two pockets and will not allow the barreled action to move back and forth. I could have filled the area with fiberglass also but with the block I built I am also able to put the hardwood stop up against the front recoil block on the barreled action...

Picture #1 (upper left) shows the stock with the two lug pockets. Really there is not much to prevent cracking - stressing the walls of these pockets when hit with the recoil of the gun.

Picture #2 (middle upper) I chose to sand the contact points on the forearm of the stock so that they did not contact the barrel (floated the barrel in the forearm)

Picture #3 (upper right) shows a teflon cutting board you can buy at your local super market - from that I did cut some lug pocket shims. These shims raise the barreled action in the stock and does float the barrel. But it could also increase the stress on the lug pockets.

Picture #4 (lower left) shows a side view of the Oak hardwood block that fits very tight down between the two lug pockets.

Picture #5 (middle bottom) shows the view of the block and you can see the upper piece of oak extends over the back lip if the front lug and contacts the back of the front recoil lug on the barreled action + plus you can see the channel that allows the insertion of the ram rod.

Picture #6 (lower right) shows the block installed in the stock...

One last thing... make sure that the lugs are tight and remain tight...

The other thing I would add the thumbhole stock that I have TC has made a change and added a small re-enforcement lug on the front and rear wall of each pocket. I will still make a block for the thumbhole at some point...