How to Lighten Laminate Rifles

A laminated rifle stock can be significantly lightened by removing small amounts of wood.

Rifle stocks made of laminated wood are durable, long-lasting and attractive. However, they can also be quite heavy. Lightening a rifle stock by removing small amounts of wood can make a huge difference on a long hunt and can make it easier to quickly shift your aim. With care and precision, a laminated stock can be lightened without ruining its appearance.

Things You'll Need

• Drill
• Pencil
• Painter's tape or contact paper
• Router
• Fine sand paper
• Stain
• Clear stock sealer

Instructions

1. Remove the stock from the rifle and remove the butt cap.

2. Drill two holes in the wood under the butt cap no more than one inch deep. There should be at least an inch and a half of wood in all directions around the holes.

3. Mark a series of horizontal lines the length of the rifle stock no more than a quarter of an inch wide and separated from one another by at least a quarter of an inch. Cover the area between these lines with painter's tape or contact paper. Make sure the lines are the same on both sides of the stock.

4. Route out the lines between the tape. The lines should be routed no deeper than a quarter of an inch, and should not penetrate more than a quarter of the way through the wood surrounding the barrel.

5. Sand the routed lines using fine sandpaper.

6. Stain the routed lines to match the rest of the stock. Allow the stain to dry thoroughly.

7. Seal the routed lines using a clear coat rated for rifle stocks.

Tips & Warnings

• When drawing the lines to route, don't be afraid to be creative. Curved lines are harder to measure than straight lines, but they can help accentuate the shape of the stock and create a dramatic effect.

• If your butt plate does not fit snugly, seal the inside of the drilled holes to protect the wood against moisture and decay.

• Removing too much wood from your rifle stock can weaken it structurally. If you're not sure how much wood to remove, err on the side of caution.

References

• Poor Man's Scout Rifle - A How-to Guide; Bob Cashner; 2003