Would you or wood you?

[Just a dude in BC]

Good day Gent's,

So the short story, is that I lucked into a nice Oberndorf long action. Originally it was one of their commercial sorters, made in the 1920's, but later went back to the factory and had its barrel swapped to a 9.3x57. All matching, and according to my smith the metal is in great shape. It even looks like they trued up the action and worked the lugs when they barreled it to x57.

So obviously I looked around and was lucky enough to find a 9.3 ferlach barrel blank, and am going to convert it to a 9.3x62, and run it only as an iron sight gun. As classic as possible for an Oberndorf... As God intended.

However, it needs a new stock. The smith is going to inlet it for me, and then I will finish the stock (I have made a few, and enjoy the process). But what I need help with, is the piece of wood! I simply cannot choose, and so I will turn it over to Democracy!

Here are the slabs available to me.
-Originally I wanted N6
-Then I changed my mind to the single one in the top picture... But maybe that is to showy... So, what wood you do?

 

[PARA45]

Great choice! I, however, would have chosen N6 or N8. But, that's my personal taste. Yours will be different. Good luck and please post pictures when finished.

 

[ftrovato]

All very nice. Get the one you cant take your eyes off of! ;-)

 

[CJW]

IMO the top blank is much more of what you would find on an a high grade pre war sporter and is definitely what I would look for in that period rifle or any rifle for that matter. Looks perfect to me.

In fact if you don't purchase that top blank, please give me the contact info for it as I might.

N6 and N8 are nice but much showier in my mind but wouldn't fit that rifle as nicely.

 

[Just a dude in BC]

IMO the top blank is much more of what you would find on an a high grade pre war sporter and is definitely what I would look for in that period rifle or any rifle for that matter. Looks perfect to me.

In fact if you don't purchase that top blank, please give me the contact info for it as I might.

N6 and N8 are nice but much showier in my mind but wouldn't fit that rifle as nicely.

I will have to see what AHF democracy decides in terms of the stock, but I can pass along the contact details if it is not taken.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

What? No Hogue?

The top one seems to have a defect in the fore end. Looks to be too far back to cut off. Am I the only one seeing that crack?

 

[BeeMaa]

The fiddleback on the top blank is too much to resist and would be my first, second and third choice.

If I was forced to pick another one, the one to the right of R33 because of the straight grain through the wrist. But honestly...the top one is where you want to be.

 

[Just a dude in BC]

So far it sounds like the top one in fiddle back is winning.
@Ontario Hunter I think that is just a splash of the fluid they use to show you the grain.
@PARA45 I will for sure post when it is done. A buddy of mine is also doing an Oberndorf in 7x57 with the same smith, and he is going with a piece of wood similar to the top one.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

So far it sounds like the top one in fiddle back is winning.
@Ontario Hunter I think that is just a splash of the fluid they use to show you the grain.
@PARA45 I will for sure post when it is done. A buddy of mine is also doing an Oberndorf in 7x57 with the same smith, and he is going with a piece of wood similar to the top one.

I'm not so sure. Looks more like a crack and a gouge. You should definitely ask for a better photo ... of that side and the other side. Otherwise, a beautiful piece of wood. Wondering what something like that costs?

 

[skydiver386]

I figured you were going to AXE us a question.

The top blank is spectacular, but as Ontario Hunter pointed out, the forearm may have issues.

 

[CBeck]

If it helps, it reminds me of a stock I have looking for an action… I did it backwards. I have this one waiting for a model 70 action.

Very similar in color and fiddle… May help you to visualize the finished product.

Quick cell photo

 

[Just a dude in BC]

If it helps, it reminds me of a stock I have looking for an action… I did it backwards. I have this one waiting for a model 70 action.

Very similar in color and fiddle… May help you to visualize the finished product.

Quick cell photo


View attachment 674277View attachment 674279

You get a rifle into that stock right now! Stock looks svelte, 7x57 or 7x64 would suit it nicely, perhaps a 6.5x55?

 

[CBeck]

Again, if it helps for visualization, the middle one is probably closer to N6

Like @BeeMaa I’m a sucker for fiddleback

 

[ftrovato]

I'm not so sure. Looks more like a crack and a gouge. You should definitely ask for a better photo ... of that side and the other side. Otherwise, a beautiful piece of wood. Wondering what something like that costs?

I though it was just water laying on the stock....

 

[IvW]

No.1 has perfect grain through the grip apart from being spectacular. I am not a fiddleback guy but that one is real nice......

 

[CJW]

Like @BeeMaa I’m a sucker for fiddleback

It should be a prerequisite for every stock.

 

[Jack Stevens]

Good day Gent's,

So the short story, is that I lucked into a nice Oberndorf long action. Originally it was one of their commercial sorters, made in the 1920's, but later went back to the factory and had its barrel swapped to a 9.3x57. All matching, and according to my smith the metal is in great shape. It even looks like they trued up the action and worked the lugs when they barreled it to x57.

So obviously I looked around and was lucky enough to find a 9.3 ferlach barrel blank, and am going to convert it to a 9.3x62, and run it only as an iron sight gun. As classic as possible for an Oberndorf... As God intended.

However, it needs a new stock. The smith is going to inlet it for me, and then I will finish the stock (I have made a few, and enjoy the process). But what I need help with, is the piece of wood! I simply cannot choose, and so I will turn it over to Democracy!

Here are the slabs available to me.
-Originally I wanted N6
-Then I changed my mind to the single one in the top picture... But maybe that is to showy... So, what wood you do?

View attachment 674260View attachment 674261

If I was “just a dude” living in AK - or maybe even in the Great White North of our soon-to-be 51st State - I’d go with a high-end synthetic McMillan-type stock. To my thinking, the likely hunting environment determines the stock type.

If 95% of your hunting time will be spent in hot weather environs, like Texas or Africa, a professionally-fitted AAA wood stock is always a solid choice for a DGR. The fact that it looks like a million bucks is actually secondary to fitment.

OTOH, if your hunting environs are typically cold to frigid, with lots of blowing horizontal rain or snow and temps to match, then a good synthetic is The Way (which is not Ramline ).

 

[Ontario Hunter]

If I was “just a dude” living in AK - or maybe even in the Great White North of our soon-to-be 51st State - I’d go with a high-end synthetic McMillan-type stock. To my thinking, the likely hunting environment determines the stock type.

If 95% of your hunting time will be spent in hot weather environs, like Texas or Africa, a professionally-fitted AAA wood stock is always a solid choice for a DGR. The fact that it looks like a million bucks is actually secondary to fitment.

OTOH, if your hunting environs are typically cold to frigid, with lots of blowing horizontal rain or snow and temps to match, then a good synthetic is The Way (which is not Ramline ).

High humidity makes wood stocks swell and blued metal rust. I think we are better off up here with wood and bluing. When it's thirty below our humidity is typically drier than a popcorn fart. You guys in Texas and Florida are the ones who should like synthetic and stainless. Your guns will get rusty and stocks loose sitting in a dark closet.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

N6 and N8 are nice for sure, but for me it would be the top one that seems to have your eye the most too. I think @Ontario Hunter has a point in making sure that isn't a crack. I think it's just the picture and I wouldn't think it would even be offered if it was cracked like that, but I'd make sure before I put my money down.

 

[CBeck]

High humidity makes wood stocks swell and blued metal rust. I think we are better off up here with wood and bluing. When it's thirty below our humidity is typically drier than a popcorn fart. You guys in Texas and Florida are the ones who should like synthetic and stainless. Your guns will get rusty and stocks loose sitting in a dark closet.

I will say my step son who is hard headed ruined an entire safe full of shotguns and rifles letting them sit a year in a safe with no humidity or temperature control contrary to my advise.