Opening up a barrel channel

Polinese · July 20, 2017, 09:41 PM

So my gunsmith is putting together a mauser action with a heavy barrel in 308. I bought a bell and carlson varmint stock for it which for some reason comes inlet for a #2 barrel. He was kind of reluctant to open it up stating he'd only opened up wooden stocks before and wasn't sure the best way to go about opening up a synthetic bell and carlson.

Suggestions on the best means?

Slamfire · July 20, 2017, 10:27 PM

Your gunsmith is correct to be cautious. I don't have a bell and carlson, but the things could have a foam core fore end. Remove the resin coating on top, what could be on the bottom will be Styrofoam. He needs to call Bell and Carlson and find out if the fore end can be opened without ruining the structural integrity of the stock.

FrankenMauser · July 20, 2017, 10:43 PM

I'm sure B&C designed the stock with enough structure to be able to accomadate the larger barrel, but, as mentioned, it would be advisable to contact them to verify.

Oh. Well... A quick check of their website does read under that stock description:
"Drop-in fit for standard #2 barrels, but can be opened up to fit larger barrels."

I haven't done so on a B&C stock, but I have opened other polymer stocks. They cut like butter. I did a Marlin XL7 about two years ago, going from a standard Marlin sporter contour to a Savage 'heavy magnum' contour. Took me just 12 minutes with round scrapers.

Scorch · July 21, 2017, 03:48 AM

Ball end mill to open it up. The B&C stocks are molded resin, plenty thick and strong enough to open up for a bull barrel. If you have any doubts, lay a layer of glass mat in the barrel channel after you get it opened up

tobnpr · July 21, 2017, 07:53 AM

^^^^
X 2

g.willikers · July 21, 2017, 08:23 AM

You could verify what the stock is made of with a tiny inspection hole drilled somewhere inconspicuous.

kraigwy · July 21, 2017, 11:55 AM

Sometimes there just isn't enough material to open the barrel channel.

T. O'Heir · July 21, 2017, 12:01 PM

A #2 contour means different things to each barrel maker. For example, a Douglas 'sporter' barrel is 1.200" at the chamber. A Krieger's is 1.250". Custom stocks are not the same either.
However, Bell and Carson's site says their Mauser Varmint/Tactical/Long Action stock can be opened up to fit larger barrels. You don't need a long action stock for .308 though. So you should probably check that too.
https://www.bellandcarlson.com/index...tegory_ID=1105

Mobuck · July 24, 2017, 07:07 AM

"You don't need a long action stock for .308 though. So you should probably check that"

The OP did say it was "a Mauser".

tobnpr · July 24, 2017, 07:43 AM

https://www.bellandcarlson.com/index...lay&page_id=30

Don Fischer · July 24, 2017, 07:54 PM

Probably a stupid question.But, if your spending the money to have this rifle put together why not just use the barrel that works or get a stock that doesn't need opened up? I'm glad I like wood, this would be no problem at all!

tobnpr · July 24, 2017, 08:52 PM

^^^
Assuming target is the primary application, a #2 contour (anyone's, of which I'm aware) is not suited for this purpose. Too light, not enough mass.

Regular Gunline tools, or a socket/dowel wrapped up with sandpaper will work just as with wood. But there's a lot of material to be removed so the mill is the way to do this job.

July 20, 2017, 09:41 PM	#1
Polinese Senior Member Join Date: September 27, 2010 Posts: 947	Opening up a barrel channel So my gunsmith is putting together a mauser action with a heavy barrel in 308. I bought a bell and carlson varmint stock for it which for some reason comes inlet for a #2 barrel. He was kind of reluctant to open it up stating he'd only opened up wooden stocks before and wasn't sure the best way to go about opening up a synthetic bell and carlson. Suggestions on the best means?

July 20, 2017, 10:43 PM	#3
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,424	I'm sure B&C designed the stock with enough structure to be able to accomadate the larger barrel, but, as mentioned, it would be advisable to contact them to verify. Oh. Well... A quick check of their website does read under that stock description: "Drop-in fit for standard #2 barrels, but can be opened up to fit larger barrels." I haven't done so on a B&C stock, but I have opened other polymer stocks. They cut like butter. I did a Marlin XL7 about two years ago, going from a standard Marlin sporter contour to a Savage 'heavy magnum' contour. Took me just 12 minutes with round scrapers. __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.

July 21, 2017, 03:48 AM	#4
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	Ball end mill to open it up. The B&C stocks are molded resin, plenty thick and strong enough to open up for a bull barrel. If you have any doubts, lay a layer of glass mat in the barrel channel after you get it opened up __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

July 21, 2017, 07:53 AM	#5
tobnpr Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2010 Location: Tampa Bay Posts: 4,556	^^^^ X 2 __________________ Remington 700/Savage Rebarreling /Action Blueprinting 07 FFL /Mosin-Nagant Custom Shop/Bent Bolts Genuine Cerakote Applicator www.biggorillagunworks.com

July 21, 2017, 08:23 AM	#6
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	You could verify what the stock is made of with a tiny inspection hole drilled somewhere inconspicuous. __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”

July 20, 2017, 10:27 PM	#2
Slamfire Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2007 Posts: 5,261	Your gunsmith is correct to be cautious. I don't have a bell and carlson, but the things could have a foam core fore end. Remove the resin coating on top, what could be on the bottom will be Styrofoam. He needs to call Bell and Carlson and find out if the fore end can be opened without ruining the structural integrity of the stock. __________________ If I'm not shooting, I'm reloading.

July 21, 2017, 11:55 AM	#7
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 11,061	Sometimes there just isn't enough material to open the barrel channel. __________________ Kraig Stuart CPT USAR Ret USAMU Sniper School Distinguished Rifle Badge 1071

July 21, 2017, 12:01 PM	#8
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	A #2 contour means different things to each barrel maker. For example, a Douglas 'sporter' barrel is 1.200" at the chamber. A Krieger's is 1.250". Custom stocks are not the same either. However, Bell and Carson's site says their Mauser Varmint/Tactical/Long Action stock can be opened up to fit larger barrels. You don't need a long action stock for .308 though. So you should probably check that too. https://www.bellandcarlson.com/index...tegory_ID=1105 __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

July 24, 2017, 07:07 AM	#9
Mobuck Junior member Join Date: February 2, 2010 Posts: 6,846	"You don't need a long action stock for .308 though. So you should probably check that" The OP did say it was "a Mauser".

July 24, 2017, 07:43 AM	#10
tobnpr Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2010 Location: Tampa Bay Posts: 4,556	https://www.bellandcarlson.com/index...lay&page_id=30 __________________ Remington 700/Savage Rebarreling /Action Blueprinting 07 FFL /Mosin-Nagant Custom Shop/Bent Bolts Genuine Cerakote Applicator www.biggorillagunworks.com

July 24, 2017, 07:54 PM	#11
Don Fischer Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2017 Posts: 1,868	Probably a stupid question.But, if your spending the money to have this rifle put together why not just use the barrel that works or get a stock that doesn't need opened up? I'm glad I like wood, this would be no problem at all!

July 24, 2017, 08:52 PM	#12
tobnpr Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2010 Location: Tampa Bay Posts: 4,556	^^^ Assuming target is the primary application, a #2 contour (anyone's, of which I'm aware) is not suited for this purpose. Too light, not enough mass. Regular Gunline tools, or a socket/dowel wrapped up with sandpaper will work just as with wood. But there's a lot of material to be removed so the mill is the way to do this job. __________________ Remington 700/Savage Rebarreling /Action Blueprinting 07 FFL /Mosin-Nagant Custom Shop/Bent Bolts Genuine Cerakote Applicator www.biggorillagunworks.com