RokStok

[Brap01]

Good idea.

I use this for that type of shooting, it works OK and it's paid for:

View attachment 982712

The hog saddle is my preferred mount for night hunting. Its quick, easy and quiet to get setup in the dark and you can use it with a lot of different rifles, no specific mounts or rails needed.

 

[kswaterfowl]

Im for either full length ARCA or nothing other than a small rail in the scallop. Do not like little sections of rail or a bunch of steps on the fore end.
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Thats what I would l do if its just for a dedicated calling or night hunting rig. My eh1 has full length arca, because it is just a dedicated calling rifle.

 

[Nine Banger]

The tripod puts you in a box.

I was carrying mine with the rifle in it like a hobo bindle for a while.

Setting up to shoot supported off the pack and sticks faster and you don't lose much stability and you have plenty of time adjust your position before you start calling.

 

[kswaterfowl]

The tripod puts you in a box.

I was carrying mine with the rifle in it like a hobo bindle for a while.

Just making it work.

Supported shooting off the pack and sticks is way faster and you don't lose much stability when its practiced and you have plenty of time adjust it all around if you're calling.

I dont like tripods for calling, but im also not a night hunter. I can get on a coyote a lot faster with a set of shooting sticks. I know the night guys like tripods so they can stand up while calling.

 

[SteveAndTheCrigBoys]

The tripod puts you in a box.

I was carrying mine with the rifle in it like a hobo bindle for a while.

Just making it work.

Supported shooting off the pack and sticks is way faster and you don't lose much stability when its practiced and you have plenty of time adjust it all around if you're calling.

Shooting off a pack and sticks at night thermal hunting is faster than standing with your gun already mounted on a tripod?

 

[Nine Banger]

Shooting off a pack and sticks at night thermal hunting is faster than standing with your gun already mounted on a tripod?

Good catch, I meant "setting up to shoot", I'll change it.

 

[coy17]

I always stand behind my tripod when night hunting. The mini arca plates next to magwell from srs have been great for me. I'm probably leaning towards a rokstock at this point to keep everything uniform among all my tikkas. Might have to try the tac table/bag method, even though my dumb self will probably end up dumping the rifle overboard at night not being clipped in

 

[SteveAndTheCrigBoys]

I always stand behind my tripod when night hunting. The mini arca plates next to magwell from srs have been great for me. I'm probably leaning towards a rokstock at this point to keep everything uniform among all my tikkas. Might have to try the tac table/bag method, even though my dumb self will probably end up dumping the rifle overboard at night not being clipped in

Arca rail near the magwell for sure if it were me. I'll scan nearly 360 degrees around me with the monocular on a stand. No chance I'm leaving a loaded rifle on a tac table and bag unsecured.

 

[Bluumoon]

I'll answer in a general sense for everyone's benefit.

A poly finish is ON the wood.
An oil finish is IN the wood.

A poly finish builds up in the pores and adheres to the wood but can come off for different reasons.

A good oil finish soaks into the fibers of the wood and oil residue/fine wood particles fill the pores to create the finish. The oil can be pulled out of the wood some but can't come off completely unless wood is removed.

my finish

After stippling, rail hardware and lightening the butt, the whole stock is coated with a polymer that soaks in like oil and cures. That is sanded back and then the finish coat begins. The finish is applied and sanded as needed until the pores are full and several full coats on top of that.
The intent is the entire stock is physically encapsulated against moisture.

No maintenance is needed beyond how you would treat the metal parts. Just use it!

Large scratches or dents that puncture the finish or corner abrasions may cause the finish to flake eventually like any finish coat if oil or water repeatedly soaks in under the finish.

A small bottle of Tru-oil is pretty cheap and very similar to the finish I use.
View attachment 982157
This can be applied to the scratch with a Q-tip to seal it against moisture. Wipe the excess off around the area. If it leaves a tacky spot, that can be polished off with a denim scrap.

If needed, I can refinish the front half or back half of a Rokstok, the grip is a good place to break the work.

For a oil finish, wipe it down with a cotton rag and a little alcohol. go light on the alcohol because it will pull the oil out of the wood.
Then rub in a coat or two of oil.

If the oil is thinned with mineral spirits, it will pull into the wood a little more. I rub on a "wet" coat and let it sit over night, rub it in the next day and it's good.
By wet, I mean looks wet, not running down the stock.

Hope that helps.

Lightening the butt stock ? Assuming that means drilling out some material and plugging the holes under the recoil pad?