SouthernGuns

I saw where someone had taken their magazine well and drilled holes through the sides in an organized manner. You would want to do this after you bedded it, but it could loose quite a few ounces. To help with weight, I chose to go with a 20" sporter contoured 243 Win for one of my rifles.

I had some oil quenched bar stock and worked on making my own. Had pretty good results. The enough metal for 6+ chisels cost me about $15 alone. If I had more time to play, I might try it again. I even made handles out of scrap Zebra wood and some fancy walnut. I'm just having too much fun using the ones I have to finish them.

littlecanoe, I was in the same boat about two years ago. With three kids and a stay at home mom, the coffers at my house aren't running over. Thus, my hobbies are on a shoe string budget. This is where I have to differ a little from the previous posts. I tried the cheap chisels and even tried making my own with mixed results. If you have the time and a access to tool steel and a torch, by all means you can make your own and some good ones. My time is very limited and I had to pay for my steel. The chisels will make your work MUCH easier and look so much better. I can get my $10 chisels sharp enough to shave with, but the first time I hit a piece of wood with them it rolls the edge. I bought a 12-piece set of Frued chisels and a 6-piece set of Crown chisels. The Freuds were regular $300 and I got them for $85. The Crowns were regular $60 and I got them for $35. I find myself using the Crowns much more due to their size. The Freuds are just a little too big for tight work, but work great for hogging out areas. Both are sharp enough to cut off a hair thin piece of wood. Crown 6-piece set Freud 12-piece set Keeping your tools sharp is paramount, whether it is a chisel, scraper or file. If you are sharpening your chisel after 5, 10 or even 20 strokes with it, you are using all of your time sharpening. I usually hit my chisels on the stones before I start and they are good for several hours worth of work. Buy the best that you can afford and a 6-piece set is more than enough for most of your tasks. Look on ebay for the Miller Falls set. They are a good older set to get started with. I have found a great use for the cheaper chisels. I flatten the forward angle on them and then push the cutting edge into the grinder just for a second. This caused the cutting edge to look more like a screw driver, but it's edges work great for scraping. Once they start getting a little due, couple of seconds in the grinder and they are back to form. Super handy scrapers already contoured. Yard sales are great for files and assorted tools. I have a Harbor Frieght close by and they have files, rasps, punches and such SUPER cheap. I don't have a band saw, so once I get the action inletted, the drawknife ($7 off ebay) takes large amounts of wood off in short order. Then the files and rasps take over. A person can't have enough files! Good luck. Kris