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Post by mike on Jan 15, 2016 15:41:17 GMT -5
Hey guys,
Two things I just didn't foresee as being issues with my new Hankins SPML-45 is the stock comb height and the trigger pull pressure.
I ordered my rifle with the standard Boyds thumbhole varmint stock. It is a beautiful stock, but I simply can't obtain a consistent cheek weld to view through my Leupold VX-6 4-24x52 scope. I have to hold my cheek at least 1-1/2" higher on the comb and have no consistent, solid positioning against my cheek bone as I am used to with all of my other rifles. Because of the thumbhole design, there is no way that an adjustable comb can be installed. Some have suggested a stock-pack, but the thumbhole feature will be an issue. Does anyone know of a service that can create a hardwood comb and custom fit it to my stock? I know the wood won't match the stock laminate, but I am only concerned about proper cheek weld. I've even thought to return the rifle to Jeff and have him install a Manners adjustable comb stock. This option will probably cost me in the range of $800 which is a tough nut to swallow after just receiving my new rifle. So hard to anticipate all the issues without being able to try things out as we do when shopping for clothing or shoes.
I'm curious to learn if it is feasible for me to remove the standard Remington trigger and install a Jewel, Rifle Basix or Timney trigger in my Hankins SPML-45? I am pretty mechanically oriented and am equipped with good gunsmith tools (punch sets). Is there anything special that may prevent me from attempting this task? Is there any special adjusting required after installation that I may not possess the experience to perform?
The last thing I want to do is end up with a dangerous trigger and mess up my brand new rifle! Or should I just "bite the bullet" and ship the rifle back to Jeff to have these issues addressed by a professional?
At least hunting season is over and there is almost a year before it starts up again, however; I was really looking forward to spending extensive time at the range learning how to shoot this rifle (I am already amazed at its accuracy at 100 and 200 yards).
Thanks for your opinions.
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Post by donw28 on Jan 15, 2016 16:35:54 GMT -5
Replacing the trigger is extremely easy on the Remington. I've done many with both Jewels and Timneys and if I can do it almost anyone can tackle it. You might have to do a touch of clearance grinding on the stock with a dremel to get perfect clearance but sometimes you get a perfect drop-in fit.
Now the stock issue is a different animal with the thumbhole. I just drilled the holes and mounted a Karsten adjustable comb on an HS precision stock to cure the problem you are having not an hour ago. That stock you have looks like it is going to be tough to get what you want. I love Manners stocks but there are cheaper options you might consider.
Don
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Post by jaymiller5 on Jan 15, 2016 16:56:10 GMT -5
Trigger job is extremely easy. Check you tube, plenty of videos showing how to replace a Remington trigger with a drop in timney or jewel.
Can't help with the custom stock question.
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Post by rojo23 on Jan 15, 2016 18:05:28 GMT -5
Check out a youtube video, the triggers are very straight forward.
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Post by tnhunter54 on Jan 15, 2016 18:29:09 GMT -5
As others have said the trigger is a easy fix the stock is better left to someone that knows whats going on.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 15, 2016 20:01:52 GMT -5
This is a Boyds pro varmint with an adjustable comb. The price is a little higher than the thumbhole model you have...They come in all the laminate variations the thumbholes...I painted this one....good luck. Zen  |
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Post by Hank on Jan 15, 2016 21:12:19 GMT -5
Mike... Like these guys said.. The trigger is easy to replace if you a lighter pull weight. If you want to swap out the stock for the pro Varnint let me know..
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Post by mike on Jan 15, 2016 23:52:00 GMT -5
This is a Boyds pro varmint with an adjustable comb. The price is a little higher than the thumbhole model you have...They come in all the laminate variations the thumbholes...I painted this one....good luck. Zen Very nice looking rifles, panhandle, both the adjustable comb and thumbhole stocked guns. Thanks for the recommendation. How much vertical adjustment is provided by the adjustable comb? |
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Post by mike on Jan 15, 2016 23:55:25 GMT -5
Mike... Like these guys said.. The trigger is easy to replace if you a lighter pull weight. If you want to swap out the stock for the pro Varnint let me know.. Thanks for your input, Jeff. I'll give you a shout sometime this coming week to get your opinion to help me decide what action I should take. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 16, 2016 7:22:15 GMT -5
Mike
It has 1/2" vertical adjustment. Actually, the cheekweld is perfect without raising the comb...Medium rings
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Post by fishhawk on Jan 16, 2016 8:41:20 GMT -5
I can add a comb to that stock.
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Post by hawghunter on Jan 16, 2016 9:08:52 GMT -5
I can add a comb to that stock. Watching with interest. |
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Post by dannoboone on Jan 16, 2016 11:32:37 GMT -5
Mike, I had the same problem you are having after doing a 700ml build. As others have stated, trigger replacement on a Remington was pretty easy. I used a Timney and the only issue was clearance for the adjustment nut on the front of the trigger housing. A knurling tool on the Dremel quickly took care of that. Reach from the TH to the trigger also seemed a tad too much. Perceived recoil was worse than my factory laminated 10MLII. I replaced it with a ProVarmint for far less than the figures given on your other choices. Mine does not have the adjustable comb, but it fits me perfectly as is:  |
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Post by mike on Jan 16, 2016 12:01:19 GMT -5
I can add a comb to that stock. Hi fishhawk, Thanks for your comment. Is this something you have done to one of your stocks, do you have a photo? Can you tell me what your method would be, is it similar to what I was thinking of doing; shaping a hardwood comb extension and screwing it to the existing comb? Do you have an idea of what you would charge me to do this work? If you would like to communicate via PM, e-mail or phone, please let me know. Below are some photos of my rifle and buttstock area. I sent these to a reputable firm that provides adjustable comb installation services, but received no response. Guess they have no solution for me. It's a beautiful rifle and stock and I sure hate to mess it up, but like I said in my original post, it is far more important to be able to get a good solid and consistent cheek weld. As you can see, I've installed the lowest set of Badger rings and the scope objective bell is within .145" of the barrel. I estimate the comb needs to be elevated approximately .600" for me to get it on my face where I need it against the lower portion of my cheek bone to have a straight clear view through the scope. The only problem I will have with a permanently attached comb extension is using a cleaning rod from the breach, will have to clean from the muzzle with the crown protector/powder funnel installed. Let me know what you think. Thank you. Regards, Mike      |
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Post by mike on Jan 16, 2016 12:30:31 GMT -5
Mike, I had the same problem you are having after doing a 700ml build. As others have stated, trigger replacement on a Remington was pretty easy. I used a Timney and the only issue was clearance for the adjustment nut on the front of the trigger housing. A knurling tool on the Dremel quickly took care of that. Reach from the TH to the trigger also seemed a tad too much. Perceived recoil was worse than my factory laminated 10MLII. I replaced it with a ProVarmint for far less than the figures given on your other choices. Mine does not have the adjustable comb, but it fits me perfectly as is: Hey dannoboone, Thanks for your input and photo of your very pretty rifle, I sure like the Boyds Forest Camo laminate coloring! You are exactly right! I didn't even want to whine about the trigger reach issue. I'm NOT a small man with small hands, but in order to put the trigger face where I want it on my index finger, I need to very slightly rotate my hand out of the thumbhole. I am thinking about using a wood file to carefully remove stock from the forward portion of the hole to reduce the reach distance. I'm glad you brought that up. I went to the Boyds site and priced out the Pro Varmint with adjustable comb, 1" Decelerator pad, Forest Camo wood and laser checkering; $270. The only concern I have with this solution is the limited 1/2" maximum comb adjustment height. The Manners MCS-T4A (I believe this is the model number I looked at) is equipped with a very high-end (Terry Cross ?) adjustable-comb hardware set with a full 1" adjustment height and is removable for breach cleaning the barrel without losing the pre-set height adjustment. Don't know how this is accomplished, but it is advertised that way. The HUGE issue with this solution is the stock price that will be just south of $700! And either way, I need to pay Jeff what he charges for bedding and installing either stock. If only I had the mystical powers of 20:20 hindsight. lol The more I think about this the more I am leaning towards returning the rifle and pay Jeff to install a new stock and trigger. Just need to come to grips with what I can spend to do this. Have a great day, Mike |
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Post by shane on Jan 16, 2016 15:31:19 GMT -5
Why dont more guys just use a Bell & Carlson
Or H-S Precision? I know the wood is pretty,
I know the Manners is very nice, but $700?
Geeez. I can pick-up a used, unaltered H-S for
$200-250 and Bell & Carlson a little cheaper.
Guess im a tight wad.
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Post by fishhawk on Jan 16, 2016 18:01:19 GMT -5
If you cared at all about the color, I can contact Boyds and see if they can supply me with a piece of laminate the same color as your stock. It might not match perfect from lot to lot, but that is the closest way. If you don't care about the color, I have some walnut chunks that I can use. I would first mill a flat area on top of the existing comb to give a good spot to seat the new piece. The new piece will have the base shaped to fit the milled area as close as possible. It will then be glued in place aligning the laminate colors (if that route is taken). The surfaces will then be blended together to make it look good. I would then finish it of with the closest gloss level of urethane I have. The top can be sanded down by you if needed to reach the perfect height. I apply the urethane with my fingertip, you can blend in what you sanded the same way. Price will be based on if i get laminate. We can work that out in PM's later if you want my service.
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Post by Richard on Jan 16, 2016 19:52:13 GMT -5
That has been my biggest complaint with Boyd's thumbhole stocks...............my finger doesn't want to properly engage the trigger:( Outside of that I have no complaint. That is why my last build is with the pro varmint....sans the adjustable cheek piece. Those blocks are there to fit my lead sled. They are bedded to the stock and removable with one screw.  image upload no compression |
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Post by jims on Jan 16, 2016 20:58:37 GMT -5
Richard: Can you get the cheek weld you need with the the high scope pictured? Maybe not needed?
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Post by mike on Jan 17, 2016 1:53:19 GMT -5
Why dont more guys just use a Bell & Carlson Or H-S Precision? I know the wood is pretty, I know the Manners is very nice, but $700? Geeez. I can pick-up a used, unaltered H-S for $200-250 and Bell & Carlson a little cheaper. Guess im a tight wad. Hey shane, I guess I'm tunnel-visioned on Boyds and Manners stocks because I thought those are the brands Jeff uses for his rifle builds; his SPML's are equipped as standard with Boyds Varmint Thumbhole stocks. When I asked about an alternative lightweight stock, he suggested Manners stocks, however; a model must be selected that has enough forend width to accept the extremely large diameter barrels used on these rifles. I guess there is no reason why Jeff wouldn't use any brand as long as it will accept his barreled action. I simply didn't perform the necessary due diligence pertaining to the stock because I shied away from the Manners pricing and went with the standard thumbhole stock. I was anxious to get my order placed at the beginning of 2015 knowing it would be quite a while for the rifle to be delivered (December). The Boyds stocks are actually priced very attractively and I've read the opinion of many that they offer the best value in good quality aftermarket laminated stocks. Thanks for suggesting Bell & Carlson and H-S Precision. I actually have a Kelblys custom centerfire rifle bedded in a Bell & Carlson stock. The bottom line is stock fit is critical to accurate shooting, but it's impossible to know in advance how my body/face will fit the completed weapon system. This has been a very big investment for me and I don't want to skimp and end up with something that is less than what I want it to be for me.
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