Cost of a new wood stock

[ftothfadd]

Good morning,

I have a couple threads going already on my hunt for a new stock for my m98 rifle, but I was wondering if anyone can give me some guidance how much one should expect to pay for new custom gun stock. If you have experience please break down the cost for the wood blank (nothing ultra high grade) and the labor cost. I am genuinely curious how many decades I should be saving for before I can get one ;-)
Thank you for looking, Ferenc

 

[BeeMaa]

Depends. Starting with the blank you choose, that price alone could be $8K or more. Carbon fiber or Kevlar drop in stock would be much less. Hand cut checkering...more $. Full epoxy bedding...$. Or do you want it left in the rough for you to finish yourself?

A budget and expectations for the finished product are needed to narrow things down.

 

[358 Norma]

I've been checking with different stock makers and form what I've learned you can expect to pay $6,000+ cost of the blank! That's if you want a full blown custom stock for a large caliber rifle.

 

[farmer_john]

Good morning,

I have a couple threads going already on my hunt for a new stock for my m98 rifle, but I was wondering if anyone can give me some guidance how much one should expect to pay for new custom gun stock. If you have experience please break down the cost for the wood blank (nothing ultra high grade) and the labor cost. I am genuinely curious how many decades I should be saving for before I can get one ;-)
Thank you for looking, Ferenc

What sre you thinking/looking for in your stock. Would help narrow things down a bit. Because your looking at not alot to a whole lot. Depending how you clarify that.

 

[ftothfadd]

I've been checking with different stock makers and form what I've learned you can expect to pay $6,000+ cost of the blank! That's if you want a full blown custom stock for a large caliber rifle.

Precisely what I was afraid of.

 

[ftothfadd]

What sre you thinking/looking for in your stock. Would help narrow things down a bit. Because your looking at not alot to a whole lot. Depending how you clarify that.

I am not sure I am able to answer this intelligently. This is 9.3x62 mauser, I would like to have classic safari lines for the stock, nothing extra for checkering just plain useful. I am also not ultra particular about the wood, perhaps some basic English walnut blank. I am not sure if this answers your question. Again, I would be new otherwise the stock business, and if it is 6K I will remain like that forever.

 

[ftothfadd]

Depends. Starting with the blank you choose, that price alone could be $8K or more. Carbon fiber or Kevlar drop in stock would be much less. Hand cut checkering...more $. Full epoxy bedding...$. Or do you want it left in the rough for you to finish yourself?

A budget and expectations for the finished product are needed to narrow things down.

OK, so I am thinking about a basic economical blank 500-800$. I know blasphemy, but I would not mind laser cut checkering if that saved money. Bedding would be nice... classic lines are desired. I know this thing does not exist in the economical price range, sigh...

 

[Firebird]

Spend sometime on the accurate innovations website, it will help you immensely. I had one built there but it’s been so long I don’t remember the price but it was a good experience and I loved th finish product-

 

[Jefferry404]

well, if you get a classic Richard Microfit, say the AAA for around $500, 95% inlet for mauser 98 std action, and send to Matrix Gunsmithing for finishing, you could probably get by with around $2k.

 

[Jefferry404]

Firebird's recommendation is another great choice. I recently priced out a stock, $450 blank, hand inlet, hand checkering, ebony tip, etc. came out to $2100. Leadtime about 10 months.

 

[ftothfadd]

Spend sometime on the accurate innovations website, it will help you immensely. I had one built there but it’s been so long I don’t remember the price but it was a good experience and I loved th finish product-

Thank you I will look into that!

 

[ftothfadd]

Firebird's recommendation is another great choice. I recently priced out a stock, $450 blank, hand inlet, hand checkering, ebony tip, etc. came out to $2100. Leadtime about 10 months.

well, if you get a classic Richard Microfit, say the AAA for around $500, 95% inlet for mauser 98 std action, and send to Matrix Gunsmithing for finishing, you could probably get by with around $2k.

Thank you I will look into that!

 

[30-06Ken]

I second Jefferry404's recommendation about Richards. Here is a link. https://richardsmicrofitgunstocks.com/

 

[Beck]

MNR custom has some blanks for sale at what seems like very reasonable prices

GUN VAULT | MNR Custom

www.mnrcustom.com

 

[Ryan]

It all depends what you want

Have you looked at Boyd's stocks? I don't know which M98 you have but they appear to be able to take care of most for under a grand with decent walnut. You will have to do the bedding yourself. I've done it, it isn't too tough.

 

[farmer_john]

well, if you get a classic Richard Microfit, say the AAA for around $500, 95% inlet for mauser 98 std action, and send to Matrix Gunsmithing for finishing, you could probably get by with around $2k.

that was the direction I was also going to steer him. and if he doesn't mind doing work himself. such as bedding and cross bolts. he can save a bundle. midway usa nearly perfect safari rifle build videos would help you a lot

 

[rookhawk]

I am not sure I am able to answer this intelligently. This is 9.3x62 mauser, I would like to have classic safari lines for the stock, nothing extra for checkering just plain useful. I am also not ultra particular about the wood, perhaps some basic English walnut blank. I am not sure if this answers your question. Again, I would be new otherwise the stock business, and if it is 6K I will remain like that forever.

You may be able to find a pedestrian quality Bishop stock for a mauser 98 on eBay for around $300. (Bishop stocks were made in the late 60s and early 70s) A decent gunsmith can fit and finish it to your action and keep it under a grand to $1500, even with checkering.

Is it cheesy looking and throwing good money after bad? Yes. It's a terrible business decision. YMMV.

 

[BeeMaa]

OK, so I am thinking about a basic economical blank 500-800$. I know blasphemy, but I would not mind laser cut checkering if that saved money. Bedding would be nice... classic lines are desired. I know this thing does not exist in the economical price range, sigh...

Because this is AH and it’s most likely a DG rifle, bedding is an absolute necessity.

I agree with @rookhawk. You will be completely underwhelmed with a plain stock. If that’s all you want, get a Kevlar from Bell & Carlson to make for a good working rifle. Otherwise, spend the $ to make something you will be truly proud of.

I had a chief in the Navy who would say “you will always have a chance to do it right the second time “. In other words, buy once cry once.

 

[ftothfadd]

Thank you all for the help. This is why it is such a blessing having a forum like this. Many useful ideas for me to further investigate.
Ferenc

 

[skydiver386]

I've seen very plain jane straight grained black walnut blanks for less than $100. If you do find a blank on eBay for example, the next step will be finding someone that will work with customer supplied wood, as not all companies will.

Inletting and shaping can be as little as $200 each, and 4 panel basic checkering starts at around $300. Finishing, adding a recoil pad, bedding, installing swivel studs will be at least $75 each.

This website gives some prices that most would consider the more economical end of the scale. Good quality work, but nothing extravagant.

U.S. Gun Inletting & Stocks

With over 15 years of experience, we guarantee our customers with top quality work. Services that we provide include stock duplicating, inletting, fitting, shaping, sanding,finishing, and much more. We are located in Northern California.

gunstockinletting.com

If you want something truly custom $2,000 is a realistic minimum. As others have posted, good work and fine wood doesn't come cheap. The stock work on my my 450 Rigby went well over $10,000.

Probably the most cost effective way to get into a quality wood stock would be to find one on the Internet that is a takeoff from a rifle, or a new one made for your rifle that has never been used.

Fajen Missouri Black Walnut Rifle Stock for Mauser Wood Rifle Stock - Checkered | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Fajen Missouri Black Walnut Rifle Stock for Mauser Wood Rifle Stock - Checkered at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Several rifles I'm working on are worthy of custom wood, but others are more suited to a simple replacement stock.