How should I add a ARCA rail to a Magpul Hunter stock?

[Winkfish]

Good morning,
I currently have a Magpul hunter stock and I would like to add an Arca rail to the bottom of the stock forward of the magazine well to attach to the head of my tripod. I have contacted Magpul and they do not recommend any modifications to the stock.

I also have a KRG bravo stock with a Arca rail on the bottom and I prefer the stability when attached to a tripod as compared to using a PIG saddle as shown.

I am willing to take ownership of modifying the stock and any potential negative impacts. For those of you who have more experience with this sort of modifications do you have any recommendations on how I should attach a rail to the bottom of the stock? I am wondering if I should install threaded inserts, possibly screwing the rail in directly? Attached is an image of the rifle in its current configuration.

Thank you for any input.

 

[86alaskan]

if the bottom of the forend is flat and the rail will lay flay, you could simply line it all up drill holes and use locking nuts on the inside. maybe run a good flat washer or piece of flat stock on the inside for support. I'd use 3-4 good 1/4 sized fasteners and you should be in good shape. I'm also assuming that the inside of the forend is relatively flat and open.

 

[762x51]

if it were me, i'd either expoy a threaded insert into the stock or use a nut/bolt to attach it all the way through the fore end of the stock making sure that the barrel isnt touching it.

 

[86alaskan]

if it's filled in an solid under the barrel, use a forstner bit and drill down so you can use t-nuts to thread into from the outside. that's how manners, mcmillan do it.

 

[Winkfish]

Here is a link that has some additional images of the forend on the stock.

http://www.snipercentral.com/magpul-hunter-700-stock/

 

[86alaskan]

the forend looks pretty solid, inlet some t-nuts and run a machine screw up through the rail and forend to the tnut. it'll hold just fine. throw a little JB or 5min epoxy on the nuts to keep them in place, but once the screws are tight you shouldn't have to worry about that.

 

[Winkfish]

I attempted to fully disassemble the forend on the stock last night to see if I could separate it. Below are some images of what it looks like. Below is an image of the KRG rail that I have on another stock. I think I can get away with getting another rail from them and I can attach the mounting locations in between the structural webs inside the front end. I am thinking I can use some low profile blind nuts on the back side and that should work.

I just wish that the rail wasn't so expensive for such a small simple part.

 

[Mram10us]

the forend looks pretty solid, inlet some t-nuts and run a machine screw up through the rail and forend to the tnut. it'll hold just fine. throw a little JB or 5min epoxy on the nuts to keep them in place, but once the screws are tight you shouldn't have to worry about that.

+1

 

[86alaskan]

If you want an arca but don't want to spend so much, shop for just an extended arca rail on ebay or amazon. they have camera rails that work exactly the same and you'll only be in it like $30 bucks. I added a 300mm rail to my GRS tikka stock and the rail was $40 i think. Anyway, looks like you can locate your mounting holes on the forend from the outside, drill through and then clean up the inside so a T-nut will lay flat. then JB the area surrounding the nut and the edges of the nut for some reinforcement.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071X3RT84/?tag=lrhmag19-20

this is a dual dovetail/arca rail, it's thicker than a single rail and would add a bit of weight and structure to the forend if secured properly.

 

[Winkfish]

I took your advice and just went to a local camera store to see what they had. I found one that would work. I was able to use one of the internal bosses and just threaded it. The others I drilled, and used JB Weld to hold the blind nuts in place. I think it will work just fine. Thank you for the input.

 

[86alaskan]

very nice, and way cheaper I'm sure. looks like it'll function and even look good

 

[SHDeersniper]

How well has this held up for you?

 

[Winkfish]

So far so good. I only have about 100, 150 rounds through the gun since I put it on but it is working as I would like. I have shot off tripods, barricades and other improvised supports from 1-500 yards and I think it will meet my needs.

 

[ChrisAU]

So far so good. I only have about 100, 150 rounds through the gun since I put it on but it is working as I would like. I have shot off tripods, barricades and other improvised supports from 1-500 yards and I think it will meet my needs.

Sorry to bump an old thread, but got any more pics of your paint job on that stock? I'm considering a MagPul hunter and a sponge paint job myself.