[TMan]

I have a 77 MKII in .243 with a laminated stock. It's a nice looking arrangement, but Ruger stocks are pretty substantial, and the laminated stocks seem heavier than most.

I'm thinking of taking a rasp to the extra wood, and trimming both the weight and feel of the rifle. Are there any issues with working with a laminate relative to a regular walnut stock? Splintering, etc. ?

 

[kdub]

All I can say is that many years ago I purcased a Herter's laminated stock that required finishing. Worked all one winter on that stock! Don't know what they used for an epoxy for the laminates, but the wood rasps hardly touched the stuff. Maybe the Ruger stocks will be more kind. I have two of them - one on a MkII V/T .223 Rem and one on a 10/22. Other than free-floating the barrel channels, I've left them strictly alone.

 

[MontyF]

I'm considering the same thing to my Savage model 12 BVSS's stock. The rifle shoots well but must say I've never liked the windhammer style stock. Sure can't fault the way it sits on the bags but the thing feels like a plank.

 

[jb12string]

I've never had an issue, but I've never attempted anything quite that radical either

 

[TMan]

Thanks guys, those were all good suggestions.

I'd love to find something like the old Winchester FW design. The stock I have would be perfect for a .338 Federal, or .358 Winchester. But a 9lb .243 is not my idea of a deer rifle.