Stock dilema

[SD Handgunner]

OK guys, I have a Ruger KM77RP MKII .243 Winchester that I have been working on. I have come to the conclusion that I either need to bed the stock I have (I replaced the Boat Paddle original Stock with a Ruger New Style Synthetic Stock) or replace it. When I received my Ruger New Style Synthetic Stock from Brownells I should have sent it back as it didn't fit.

The tang area of the stock was way to tight and the only way I could get the barreled action into the stock was to stick the tang in at an angle and then pivot the barreled action into the stock.The next problem was the trigger guard was so tight I had to tap it into place. I talked with a local gunsmith about these problems and he said he didn't have time to get to it but that I should go home and open these areas up with my dremel tool.

Well I did, and the trigger guard fits great now. However when I opened up the tang area, even though I was being super careful not to deepen the cut now that area of the stock is too low. To fix the tang from sitting to low yesterday I cut a piece out of a credit card and made a spacer to raise the tang in the stock. Now it sits nice and flush and when I loosen and tighten the rear trigger guard screw I do not get all the movement that I was getting without the shim.

Hopefully this afternoon I am going to get to shoot this .243 to see if this fixed the problem,

Now to my questions. I am getting frustrated with this project and am about to give up and just order a new stock. The two choices in stocks are either a Bell & Carlson Carbalite Synthetic Stock or a Boyds Laminated Wood Thumbhole Stock (a finished stock not a virtual inlet part).

I guess my main question is to anyone that has used either of these two stocks. Are these true drop in stocks or am I going to end up where I am now with having to wait for my gunsmith to bed my new stock also?

Any and all information would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Larry

 

[mcknight77]

No new stock is going to be a perfect fit and have perfect bedding, at least none that I can afford.

Just have the one you have bedded properly and it should do fine.

You are correct in the concern about the tang moving when the screws are tightened. The action should not move as the screws are tightened/loosened if it is bedded properly. If it is moving the rifle will not shoot to the barrel's potential.

How did the rifle shoot with the boatpaddle stock on it?

 

[SD Handgunner]

I bought the rifle used and never shot it with the boat paddle stock on it (unfortunately).

Larry

 

[6mmsl]

Buy a factory one from Ruger $85.00 bucks -bought a couple they all dropped right in.

Return the Brownells one dremel and all-

No need to bed, it will fit and shoot fine.

good shooting, Steve

 

[Scott r]

Iam with Steve. The current production stock you bought from Brownells fit tight for a reason. Avoid Bell & Carlson as their products are trash.

 

[SD Handgunner]

I fixed the problem, I traded off the Ruger .243 for a T/C Encore Rifle.

 

[OldRugerMan]

Here is an M77R Flat Bolt 243 sn 70-31326 with a Line 6 synthetic stock on it. I bought the stock at a gun show for $40. I had to modify the bolt cut out a little and a little work on the recoil lug then it dropped right in and the tang fits perfectly. The gun shoots like a dream and with Hodgdon V100 puts out 100 grain spitzers at just over 3000 fps. It is fitted with a Redfield 3-12x that I hope to use if I ever draw an Antelope permit (Ha!)

 

[mcknight77]

Nice rifle, Randy. Reminds me of my Liberty 7mag.

 

[SD Handgunner]

I had a Liberty Model M77R that someone had put in a Six Enterprises Stock that looked exactly like that. Man that stock felt good in the hands and it shot great.

Larry