Hey Guys this is "MY WAY" to trim the forestock for a new rifle

[Larry (Omaha)]

I am just a retired carpenter, and did lots of work on a bench or at the least saw horses. I do not mean suspended via a vice or other means, just plain flat on a solid surface. When I built my first rifle in the early 70s I purchase two bench vice and proceeded that way, thinking this is the way the big boys do it. Well, I struggled with gripping the stock where I needed it to be solid. I haven't made that many rifles, but have learned (for me) to leave the butt end square till very the last. I can grab the butt end in a vice for installing the butt plate and also trim the forestock as my photos illustrate. Top photo shows a void/shadow at the tang end. Not to worry, the barrel is not secured with a tang screw.

Flintlocklar

 

[Kansas Kid]

I also used a small spoke shave on my last two and it worked great

 

[Col. Batguano]

I always thought that one of the major milestones in a build is that day when you take the butt stock out of the plank stage, and in to a rough and rounded profile. leave the front "in the square" until the butt is about done.

 

[Larry (Omaha)]

I always thought that one of the major milestones in a build is that day when you take the butt stock out of the plank stage, and in to a rough and rounded profile. leave the front "in the square" until the butt is about done.

Interesting point of view. I do agree that the build takes a turn when the tree trunk starts to look like a rifle butt, but for me on a longrifle 80% of the trimming by hand is done around the lock and on the front end. The butt is the last for me as it is a no can crush anchor point on the bench. Everyone has their own preference.
Thanks for the comment.
Flintlocklar