The Savage ML-II Okubo-tactical. By Randy Dunn.
The only** completely
"drop in" After-market stock for the Savage 10ML-II that I could
find.
And well worth the search.
Here's a work in progress.
Wood
work
Bedding, sanding
urethane
Done!
**If you know of
another one, let us know!
(Before photo)
(and after
photo)
John O. at Tiger Rifle and Shotgun made me a custom target-tactical style stock for my ML-II. I was thinking about going with a Richard's like Smokeeter did with his fine gun (on another "Custom stock page"), but then I talked to John O. (John's a "people person", great to work with on the phone by the way) He sent me several photos of a version of this stock he was making for someone else.
When I called him we talked about what I wanted and he adjusted the design to fit me. The following photos are of the stock being milled, and some of the nice features John added.
He was kind enough to photograph it "in progress" for me as it was built. Unfortunately John hasn't the best camera (and he warned me beforehand) And told me the photos wouldn't be the best, but I talked him into taking them anyway. I'm glad he did.
(The left side)
(The right side)................
(machine cutting away
on the left...)
(almost done...)
John said that at about this point
he does some work by hand to make sure he gets the desired "shape and
feel."
This is what it
looked like before he shipped it to me.
The
bottom,,,
The right hand photo is from a deferent
stock John made but shows his venting method better.
Next,, there will
be photos of this stock after bedding and being finished (I've a newer camera
than John).
I'll also add some close ups of the detail he paid attention to with the pillars
and all in it's design. I'll also add some of his own comments.
So far I am delighted
with his work.
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Here are some more shots, I still have to finish it, did some bedding.
You can see more details on some of the work John did.
This shows the bedding.
This is what it looked like before
the varnish.
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Next
I took it into the wood shop and removed the recoil pad and did some sanding.
It still had a few spots that needed touching up like around the inside of
the thumb hole.
I used a tiny amount of wood putty to secure the loose post. After the varnish
job is done I'll remove any excess from the hole.
After I was satisfied with the sanding, I wiped it all down with a clean rag
to remove any sanding dust and hung it from the ceiling with some heavy wire
so I could spray it without any trouble.
I'll be using Helmsman "spar" clear urethane.
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This is after 1 coat of "Spar". I went real carefully and watched
that there was no build up and stopped. It's got to dry for a couple days
and then be sanded again with a finer grit paper before the next coat.
I found that before I'd start sanding, if I took it outside I could see what
areas needed more attention.
I ended up with
4 coats of urethane, and 2 touch up sprays (where I needed to just get more
on a spot I thought was thin).
It's
done!
Click on the photos for a bigger version.
The Savage ML-II Okubo-tactical.
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