Cheek pad/comb-Kydex molded vs adjustable stock

[LRShooting]

Im in the slow process of building a gun off a savage 11 action. Im putting a boyd stock on it just because of cost and that way I can afford to do my own work on it. I think Boyds stocks can be great stocks if a person is willing to put the time and effort needed to make them that way like pillar bedding, action bedding, channeling the stock, stiffening the foreend, etc, etc.

Ill be getting the Pro varmint because I want the wider fore end and I like the feel of that style. But I need to figure out if cutting the comb out of the gun and adding hardware to make it adjustable will be as durable as molding a cheek piece from Kydex. I can do the adjustable comb cheaper and I think it looks nicer, but kydex is quicker, just more expensive.

I honestly will go with cutting a piece out of the stock in the comb area and making it adjustable if they are similar. If that will cause issues, however, then Ill probably invest in a sheet of Kydex. For my use, durable means anything on my gun can handle pulling it through brush, leaving it laying in the truck bouncing around, the occasional drop or fall over, etc, etc. I know its rough and I do try to take care of my equipment, but sometimes its just not that easy, especially when it comes to hunting some of the thicker areas I do.

 

[dubbleA]

Making a comb riser from Kydex will be easier and cheaper. 30 minutes of your time and $5-10 including Kydex and hardware.

Cutting your stock and adding adjustable hardware (be it store bought or self made) will run into more time and money, though when done right will look better IHMO.

 

[LRShooting]

Making a comb riser from Kydex will be easier and cheaper. 30 minutes of your time and $5-10 including Kydex and hardware.

Cutting your stock and adding adjustable hardware (be it store bought or self made) will run into more time and money, though when done right will look better IHMO.

Kydex seems more expensive then 5-10$...I have to buy it in sheets that are usually at least 25-30$. Im not saying it isn't less expensive for some, but I say it is more so because I have all the stuff for hardware already. Not because I bought it for this project particularly, but because I have so much junk metal and what not along with all the tools to make everything so its really just my time. I dont worry about time too mcuh because Im either doing nothing productive, working, or tinkering. I could cut the "doing nothing" part out.

As you say though, I do agree adjustable stock would look better if done right, but its a matter of durability over all else in this situation.

I could make it a lot heavier than the DIYs most people do if need be. I have considered taking a solid aluminum block and inletting it to the stock instead of two small spacers or whatever people may use. It would just be stronger due to surface contact with wood. I dont worry about weight much, but it might help balance out that varmint barrel as well.

 

[dubbleA]

My reply comes from doing this stuff.
I don't know where you are buying your material from but I can get piece of .125" Kydex big easily enough for 2 comb risers for less than $10. I make my own hardware for these and use stainless for the screws and aluminum for the knobs. One riser cost about $6 to make plus your time.

Here are just a couple examples.





Also fabricate my own adjustable comb and adjustable butt hardware. It's also made of stainless steel and aluminum. I don't have a price on materials but it's not much. I can say it takes a bit of machine work and time to make these.

Again, here are a couple examples.






Again the Kydex piece is simple, cheap and effective.

 

[LRShooting]

My reply comes from doing this stuff.
I don't know where you are buying your material from but I can get piece of .125" Kydex big easily enough for 2 comb risers for less than $10. I make my own hardware for these and use stainless for the screws and aluminum for the knobs. One riser cost about $6 to make plus your time.

Here are just a couple examples.





Also fabricate my own adjustable comb and adjustable butt hardware. It's also made of stainless steel and aluminum. I don't have a price on materials but it's not much. I can say it takes a bit of machine work and time to make these.

Again, here are a couple examples.






Again the Kydex piece is simple, cheap and effective.

Wow, really cool man.

I was looking at .25 Kydex, thats why the cost was so much higher. Its harder to find hobby size sheets in .25 compared to .125. I figured you had to use .25 for somereason.

As you said, the adjustable comb cut out of the stock does look better. But which would you haul through the woods though? Are they about the same as far as toughness?

Of course Kydex would be cheaper if you broke it. Im pretty sure if somebody managed to break the other, the stock is probably shot. McMillian seems to use them, but they are on a fiberglass system...