Plugging Holes:
First I plugged to two holes in the side of the stock with tapered wood. I had to make sure the length of the dowels did not go into the lock area on the other side to interfere with the lock. Then I used two pieces of a 8x32 bolt and cut them to length just longer than the thickness of the lock plate. I then countersunk the holes on both sides of the lock plate. The bolts were threaded in so a small amount of metal was exposed on either side. Using a ball peen hammer, I peened the end of the bolt till it filled the countersunk area. I did the same on both sides. After that, I filed the material flush. The holes disappeared.
For the tang area, I cut a piece of wood and then inletted it into the channel. Since the tang will be shortened to 1-3/4" I cut the wood filler a little longer so I could inlet the tang into the wood plug for a tighter fit. Then I laid down layer of wood to fill the floor of the tang channel so the tang could be inletted to the proper depth.
Out of curiosity, I noticed the barrel seemed to be too far back in the stock. It did not align up properly with the lock or the placement of the lock bolt to be drilled later. I compared this stock to an identical stock and discovered the barrel was 3/8" too far back. Now I have to move the barrel forward. This means more wood to add to the stock to fill both the tang channel and the end of the barrel channel.
Now with the wood in place, I can reinlet the rear face of the barrel into the wood face. This ensures the barrel is making full contact with the stock. Blackening the face of the barrel and then driving the barrel backward makes marks on the wood and I remove the wood till I have a full face of the barrel on the wood. You do not want any gaps between the barrel and the wood. (Note: When I removed the breechplug, I discovered the plug was loose. I tightened the plug and found I changed the bottom flat of the barrel and tenon that was installed is now one flat to the side. Now I have to fill this void, too.)
Next is the inlet the breechplug and barrel into the stock.
Hoot AL Rifle Shop
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