NRA UK (HBSA) compliant bedding/stocking

[Musgrave]

Hi All,

I'm hoping some of you might be able to keep me right. My No.4 needs a fair bit of up pressure at the muzzle to perform and currently I have a few paper shims between the rear of the stock and the underside of the action (just sitting in the flat above the wrist) and this seems to do the job. Would a method like this be within the rules for competition at say the Trafalgar meeting? Or would an armourers repair see the action lowered at the front slightly, around the front trigger guard screw and the reinforce? The rifle is all original and I'd prefer not to be removing wood if it can be helped. Without shims the up pressure is marginal and under 3lbs. I have tried re-hydrating the stock with a mix of raw linseed and turpentine. The fit at the back end is good, I can't really fault it.

Thanks

Ron

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[Strangely Brown]

It wouldn't present a problem Ron and we would love to see you at the Trafalgar!

The current NRA Historic & Classic handbook is about to be updated and I would advise you to check the NRA website for updates in the coming weeks.

https://nra.org.uk/wp-content/upload...c-Handbook.pdf

[ssgross]

I'm anxious to see what the rules are across the pond. Our CMP vintage rules https://thecmp.org/wp-content/uploads/CMPGamesRules.pdf has 2 categories, with plenty of internet lawyers debating and bending the meaning.

As issued US military rifles, section 4.2:
k) Broken or cracked as-issued stocks may be repaired with the use of epoxies or other chemical adhesives, provided the original as-issued stock dimensions are not changed and no epoxy, adhesive, or reinforcing material is used in or on any of the bedding surfaces for the rifle action or barrel.

Garand/M1903/other US as-issued each have the rule
The use of shims made of any material in the action and barrel bedding areas of the stock is prohibited.

I think as parts, and especially new wood or good used wood, become scarce they will need to rewrite this. I have several old original 1903 stocks which I would love to use, but the shrinkage from the years and oils in the bedding areas make the accuracy unusable. I thought about removing 1/8" or less of material in the bedding areas, and gluing in a replacement so that no part of the rifle touches the glue. In the barrel bed, one could use a hand plane to make a large walnut shaving. soak in hot water, regular wood glue underneath, hold in place with a dowel and rubber band until it dries. a good stain job, roughed up with a little sanding to blend in the bottom edge, and it could be very hard to tell it's a repair. Is it a shim, or is it a repair?

4.2.5 As-Issued Foreign Military Rifles
I guess they generally shoot so much worse they deserve an exception now? (facetious. don't get upset with me)
j) Shims made of wood, fabric, paper, metal or other similar material, of types that were originally installed by military arsenals in these rifles and that are placed between the stock and action, barrel or trigger assembly are permitted.

sorry this doesn't answer your question.

[Strangely Brown]

4.2.5 As-Issued Foreign Military Rifles
I guess they generally shoot so much worse they deserve an exception now? (facetious. don't get upset with me)

Thanks for giving us sight of this; I genuinely think you can sometimes over regulate historic shooting matches to the detriment of taking the fun away from a good shoot.

Having said that none of like cheats at competitions!

[Musgrave]

The rifle in question is a 1943 Long Branch and is all original and has a good bore. But what’s the script for rifles needing new barrels? Must they have 5 grooves and a left hand twist (I’m assuming no one is making 2 groove barrels these days) ? I have a spare un chambered 4 groove Shultz and Larsen blank which could be used on my tired Mk2. It was a 1960s made barrel and was intended for Match Rifle. There’s enough meat on it to replicate the issued barrel in all respects but it’s a right hand twist. It slugs at 302 bore and 311 groove, it would make a fine barrel at some point.

[ssgross]

I may write to CMP and ask whether there is any approved repair for old wood in terms of bedding and the repair I suggested. In particular, what is the cutoff thickness between a shim and a repair? I made a repair to a botched front band screw hole on a 1903a4 clone by drilling it out, insert dowel, and sanding flush. By necessity the hole had to protrude into the bedding area, so is my dowel repair considered a shim?
CMP does offer a catchall statement about the "spirit of the games/rules".

[Musgrave]

We'd like to think our fellow competitors are all inline with the rules, but certainly from experience in different circles, there's a few Terry Thomas characters out there!

[Mk VII]

I seem to recall Jim H. saying that ninety per cent of the rule book was written to curb the activities of a small number (two or three) of individuals.

[Strangely Brown]

I seem to recall Jim H. saying that ninety per cent of the rule book was written to curb the activities of a small number (two or three) of individuals.

That does not surprise me James!
Some of the gamesmanship at Bisley was down to own goals by previous historic & classic reps simply not having an understanding of the disciplines they were supposed to be governing.
Don't get me started on Swedish Mausers shooting in British SR"b" class!