How to Reshape the Butt Area of a Rifle Stock

Larry Potterfield • February 16, 2017

Reshaping the butt area of a rifle stock is pretty easy if you've got a plan and some basic hand tools. Let me show you the process.

We'll start by using a chainsaw file to cut a shallow groove behind the grip cap, then switching to a flat file to blend the groove with the toe line.

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Use a chainsaw file to create a groove

We need to thin this portion of the grip so that it is the same width as the grip cap. Make sure the flat is level and then blend it into the top and bottom of the wrist.

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File to the same width as the grip cap

Blend the edges around the grip cap using a round bastard file.

Blend the edges with a round bastard file
Blend the edges with a round bastard file

To thin the sides of the buttstock, we'll lay out some guidelines and file those into flats. Blending the edges created by the flats will give us a smooth curved surface.

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Mark the guidelines

So there you have it, how to reshape the butt area of a rifle stock.

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Final look

-- Larry Potterfield