Hand Checkering Rifles

[Duggan]

I have raised dents and oiled the occasional rifle stock for many years now. I’ve learned loads about it and have for sure improved to a decent standard to the point that I’ve done the occasional stock for pals. It’s such a relatively easy and rewarding task to do, I recommend that people should have a go themselves. Which got me thinking about checkering stocks. I have a few gorgeous Custom Stocks that have been stippled and I’m thinking of getting one changed to checkering. I’ve asked around friends and gunsmiths and the typical cost is around £40 per panel so a 4 panel rifle stock would cost circa £160. Now that sounds quite a lot of money for a cheaper air rifle, but certainly not for higher end rifles and shotguns for sure! Also I very much respect time served gunsmiths, that cover all areas of work. You then have to think about their fixed costs for having the work shop etc and a declared business so costs all add up probably pushing the costs up higher if the pattern was more complicated.

Additionally I would like to get some rifles serviced or, barrel threaded for example. So question is, which gunsmiths in the country offer a one stop shop, for checkering, servicing and rifle modifications. As you can imagine sending a rifle for one job then sending it to another for extra work adds to the time and cost considerably.

[Waddy]

Haven't come across anyone that does both the woodwork & metal work sides of it, people tend to specialise.

Even with stocks you'll get one guy who does adjustable combs & another who does re-finishing. I'd be wary of one person who claimed to do it all tbh.

[Neil54]

Send the stock one direction and the barrel another.
Both will arrive back sorted.

[look no hands]

It might be worth having a word with Sandwell Field Sports.

[baldinio]

For the chequering speak to Craig p on here, he is the best around for hand cut chequering. I suspect he can also offer some good advice on where to send the action for the other work you want doing too. Added to that he’s a top bloke too 👍😎

[Rikard]

I have had work done by James and there are prices on his website

https://www.thewoodworkinggunsmith.co.uk/

[Duggan]

I have had work done by James and there are prices on his website

https://www.thewoodworkinggunsmith.co.uk/

Thanks Rikard that looks just what I’m looking for. I must of passed his workshop dozens of times in the last few years I will certainly pop in. It is refreshing to see how straight forward he is with his pricing though. Cheers👍🏼

[flyingfish]

Another vote for Craig P
His work is stunning

[look no hands]

Thanks Rikard that looks just what I’m looking for. I must of passed his workshop dozens of times in the last few years I will certainly pop in. It is refreshing to see how straight forward he is with his pricing though. Cheers����

I had some skip line checkering done by James a few years ago when he first started, it was good but not brilliant, hopefully he's got better over the years, Craig P would be my choice.

[Leepelletb]

A pal of mine liked to refurbish rifles. Not professional, just for fun as he enjoyed making guns look nice and hopefully shoot better. After a few stocks refinished he decided he wanted to get a kit and try his own checkering. I'll add the photos, of before and after. I think he did a cracking job. He just watched a few tutorials and went at it slowly. Rifle was a original 35 ok ish condition that shot well for what it was. After his work on internals and his stock work. He got the rifle off of me cheaply. I now want it back lol. Maybe something to try your hands at. By something cheap and just have a go.
https://postimg.cc/gallery/4mw9YNG

[colin g]

Craig P for me as well but he is extremely busy, Still waiting for him to fit one of mine in after many months but he will get back to you when time allows. One of the best so be prepared to wait. Col.

[ken69]

I have raised dents and oiled the occasional rifle stock for many years now. I’ve learned loads about it and have for sure improved to a decent standard to the point that I’ve done the occasional stock for pals. It’s such a relatively easy and rewarding task to do, I recommend that people should have a go themselves. Which got me thinking about checkering stocks. I have a few gorgeous Custom Stocks that have been stippled and I’m thinking of getting one changed to checkering. I’ve asked around friends and gunsmiths and the typical cost is around £40 per panel so a 4 panel rifle stock would cost circa £160. Now that sounds quite a lot of money for a cheaper air rifle, but certainly not for higher end rifles and shotguns for sure! Also I very much respect time served gunsmiths, that cover all areas of work. You then have to think about their fixed costs for having the work shop etc and a declared business so costs all add up probably pushing the costs up higher if the pattern was more complicated.

Additionally I would like to get some rifles serviced or, barrel threaded for example. So question is, which gunsmiths in the country offer a one stop shop, for checkering, servicing and rifle modifications. As you can imagine sending a rifle for one job then sending it to another for extra work adds to the time and cost considerably.

Not sure how much preparation work would be involved in removing the original stippling before work on the chequering could be started but I would suggest the cost would need to be taken in to account as well as the £40 per panel. I have a CS stock on my Rapid and the stippling is quite deep and covers a lot of surface area