I wanted to use a 3x prism scope on my 17HMR little badger because it's small, works if the battery is dead and is a reasonably 'good enough' magnification for the 17HMR and taking off hand shots. Unfortunately all the prisms have really short eye boxes and mostly only work when mounted on the back of an AR. With the crazy LOP on the little badger you really had to crane your neck up to use the optic, it really sucked. So, I got the wild idea to shorten the stock to get my face closer to the optic.
I didn't want to ruin the original, so I ordered some parts from chiappa. They didn't have the upper stock rail in stock, but I figured it wouldn't matter since I was hacking them up anyway as long as the threaded ends were correct. Also ordered a butt plate and the little shell holder because why not, we're already getting soaked on shipping these few parts.
Next I drew up what I wanted the new shape to be, and made sure that it would be long enough not to make the OAL of the rifle too short. I left a little extra, I can always cut a second time if I want to.
No fancy bending tools around here, so I just marked about where I wanted the bend to be, put the thing in a vice and bent it by hand. Went slow, took 3-4 times for each bend and ensured that it was in line with the plane of the final stock and receiver. That was easier than I thought.
Once bent correctly, I fired up the dremel and cut off the excess. The shell holder and plate slipped right on. I think they're glued on the OEM stock, so once I'm sure it's how I like it I'll do the same.
The final product. Eye relief on the scope is now just like holding an AR with the stock extended 2 spots and the OAL for the rifle is 27". Plenty of length to keep my AFT man away.
As a bonus, it fits in the little bag I have way easier now even with the larger optic because the stock isn't in the way. Not sure why a child sized rifle comes with a 14"+ LOP.
I'm really liking that Burris RT-3, had it on an AR and found it to be nice and crisp and bright. Should get this out to the range this weekend and get it zeroed in.
I didn't want to ruin the original, so I ordered some parts from chiappa. They didn't have the upper stock rail in stock, but I figured it wouldn't matter since I was hacking them up anyway as long as the threaded ends were correct. Also ordered a butt plate and the little shell holder because why not, we're already getting soaked on shipping these few parts.
Next I drew up what I wanted the new shape to be, and made sure that it would be long enough not to make the OAL of the rifle too short. I left a little extra, I can always cut a second time if I want to.
No fancy bending tools around here, so I just marked about where I wanted the bend to be, put the thing in a vice and bent it by hand. Went slow, took 3-4 times for each bend and ensured that it was in line with the plane of the final stock and receiver. That was easier than I thought.
Once bent correctly, I fired up the dremel and cut off the excess. The shell holder and plate slipped right on. I think they're glued on the OEM stock, so once I'm sure it's how I like it I'll do the same.
The final product. Eye relief on the scope is now just like holding an AR with the stock extended 2 spots and the OAL for the rifle is 27". Plenty of length to keep my AFT man away.
As a bonus, it fits in the little bag I have way easier now even with the larger optic because the stock isn't in the way. Not sure why a child sized rifle comes with a 14"+ LOP.
I'm really liking that Burris RT-3, had it on an AR and found it to be nice and crisp and bright. Should get this out to the range this weekend and get it zeroed in.
