One of the most common problems encountered on old gunstocks is screw holes that are stripped out. Another problem that is encountered is screw holes that don’t line up when trying to replace butt plates or pads. In this article, we will show how to repair the stock and make the screw holes like new.

To repair or move spacing of screw holes, the old hole must first be filled. This is accomplished by getting a hardwood dowel that is a little larger than the original screw hole. A drill bit should then be selected that will allow the dowel to be inserted into the hole. The fit of the dowel should be tight enough that the dowel will require a small hammer to tap it into the hole. Once the correct diameter drill bit is selected, the depth of the hole to be drilled can be checked and marked by using the screw to find the depth needed.

The next step is to drill out the old hole so that the dowel can be glued into the hole. The dowel should be cut to length. A little bit long is better than too short as it can be sanded flush after the glue has dried. Once the hole is drilled out, glue the dowel into the hole, using wood glue or an epoxy.

After the glue is dry the dowel is filed or sanded flush and the correct spot for the new hole is located and marked. The new hole can be drilled to the correct diameter and the gun can then be reassembled.