Southern Mountain Rifle Kit — Step 3: Installing the Buttplate

Video for this step: https://kiblerslongrifles.com/v/smr-3

The buttplate is provided with pre-drilled and counter-bored holes. For the included screws to fit the counter-bored holes, their head diameters must be reduced slightly. The easiest method is to chuck each screw in a power drill and hold a fine file against its edge as it spins.

The buttplate inlet has been cut close to the buttplate shape, but a small amount of inletting will be required. Buttplates have been straightened to match the wood shape, though some small amount of further straightening may be helpful; in that case a vise and adjustable wrench can be used.

It is a good idea to lightly file the buttplate edges that mate with the wood to provide a clean surface for inletting. When fitting the buttplate to the stock, use transfer color and carefully remove contact points with a chisel or file until a relatively close fit is achieved.