Brownells Gunsmith Tech Corner - April 2008

Brownells Gun Tech Staff

Question: Which is the better stock bedding product, Acraglas or Acraglas Gel?

Answer: Either product will do the job for you. They are very different in their composition and mixing processes. The choice you make depends on the application you are going to make.

The original Acraglas is a relatively thin product, similar to pancake syrup. Its two components are mixed in a ratio of 4 to 1. An effort must be made to contain it within the stock so that it doesn't run out before it sets up. It hardens in the mixing cup in about 20 minutes and is very hard and relatively brittle. Fiberglass is included with the kits and can be added to thicken it and to give greater strength.

Acraglas Gel is thicker, on the order of warm peanut butter. It's two components are mixed in a ratio of 1 to 1. It hardens more slowly and remains somewhat resilient. If you are looking to glue components together or to repair stock breaks, the original Acraglas is more useful.



Question: I have an CVA Apollo 50 Cal. rifle. I would like to install Weaver mounts and rings on it. There are two sets of mounts listed in your catalog. My instruction book that came with the gun does not specify what thread the gun has for the pre-drilled and tapped holes for scope mounts. Please clear this up for me so I can order. My serial number is as follows: (*****). What height rings do you recommend?

Answer: Please note that at the top of the chart for the Weaver bases you have headings for "rear" and "front" bases. The reason there are two listings of the same item is that this firearm uses a two piece base, the front and rear of which are the same. We do not offer a one piece Weaver base for this rifle. You will need two bases. You should order two, #955-010-061 bases.

As to the height of the rings, you do not mention which scope you are using or the outside diameter of the objective lens. You should order rings of sufficient height to ensure that the scope you are using does not contact the barrel.



Question: How can I adjust my new recoil pad to fit the butt plate mounting holes already in the butt of my shotgun?

Answer: It is much easier to plug up the existing holes in a wood stock and drill new ones. Use a ¼” drill and drill out the old holes. Cut a plug from ¼” dowel rod available from your local hardware store, and cut it slightly longer than the depth of the hole in the butt of your stock. Glue this plug in place using white glue (Elmer’s Glue or carpenters’ glue) then trim the end of the plug flush with the surface of the wood using a chisel or X-Acto knife.

Lay out your new holes along a centerline from the toe to heel and mark your new hole spacing marks according to the recoil pad manufacturers instructions. You can drill the new holes with a drill 0.050”-0.075” smaller than the attaching screws you are going to use to install the new pad. After pad installation, you can mark the outline of the stock on the underside of the pad with a scribe, remove the pad and grind the excess material away. The B&R Recoil Pad Fitting Jig #610-100-000 will work well for this.