How to straigthen a warped stock??

[jerry]

Hi

I have recently been restocking a Savage No.4 MkI* and well i have done the intial fitting, and i found that the stock is warped. Everything goes on alright but there is heavy contact on the right side of the barrel pushing the poa over about 6 inchs to the left at 100 yards and as well as about 8 inchs up. How should i go about fixing this. Oh and here is a pic of my restocked savage and myy original Longbranch No.4 MkI* the savage is the one on top.

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[Claven2]

Hmm... looks like it's English beech that spent time in India judging by the Ishy screw. Beech, of all the Enfield stock woods, is the most prone to warping.

One thing you can try is the get some steel pipe the same diameter of a barrel, or an old No.4 barrel you don't care about. Warp it in foil to increase the diameter to the same as the stock inletting. The clamp (c-clamps work) the barrel into the stock until it straightens and place in a humid area for several weeks. A steam cabinet would be better. The sacrificial barrel will, of course, rust. Also, you want to remove all metal from the stock except the tie-band at the back. Coat that in vaseline to prevent it from rusting up.

Once it's well saturated with moisture, place it in a dry environment and allow it to SLOWLY dry with the barrel still clamped in place.

If this doesn't work, start looking for a new forestock.

Also, you'll have to refinish the wood with BLO after steaming it.

At the end of the day, No.4 forestocks are only $40 or so at most. Probably better off just to buy another, preferably without the Isapore Screw in it.

[Stevo]

Does the stock appear warped from the outside or is it only noticeable because of the barrel contact?

Have you considered removing some material from the barrel channel to make up for the warpage?

[jerry]

The warping dosen't show at all, from the outside. CLavens idea seems to be a good one but a bit hard seeing as how i live in an apartment.. i was wonder if i should try to open up the inletting. But i am iffy about removing wood. Beech uh numrich add said they were walnut hmmmmm.

[Stevo]

The warping dosen't show at all, from the outside. CLavens idea seems to be a good one but a bit hard seeing as how i live in an apartment.. i was wonder if i should try to open up the inletting. But i am iffy about removing wood.

Jerry,
If you don't have too much wood that needs removing, a small razor plane or even medium-fine sandpaper should do the trick.

I wouldn't recommend going after it with a Dremel or other power tool.

[Claven2]

+1 - keep the dremel tool away from guns. I have never seen dremel work on a firearm that turned out to be a good idea

A wooden dowel of similar diameter to your barrel wrapped in a medium grain sandpaper like 180 or 200 grit would be a good way to relieve the inletting if you go that route.

Don't believe everything in a Numrich ad. If you want to deal with a US outfit that knows their stuff ALOT more than Numrich, try googling Springfield Sporters. Call to place your order - don't e-mail. Trust me.

[Claven2]

PS: I only think your forestock is birch because of the additional pics you posted of it on CGN

In this pic you can clearly see that the buttstock is beech - notice the little gold flecks? That's a beech trait. The handguards look beech as well. Perhaps the forestock is walnut - I don't know - I'd need to see a close-up picture of the wood grain. Either way, that screw through the forestock was put there in India and is generally frowned upon by most collectors unless the rifle shows signs of an Indian Arsenal refurbishment.

[Claven2]

PPS: On a Savage that hasn't been rebuilt you would expect to see birch furniture, not Walnut and not beech

[jerry]

Thank for all the great info guys, well i think i will try the gentle sanding approach. yeah i planned on keeping the dremel away from her, god nows what could happen if i didn't i only use that for very minor polishing and the like and that isn't on guns. Since i just now started my 4 day workbreak i know what i will be doing. I well send news and a range repport when done, figure i will use my lb to set the standard.

oh and happy new years!

jerry