the rod hole drilled straight as far as we can tell.........when i drill the front lock panel bolt, we'll know fer'sure! drilled with hand drill at 1/4" each cut...pull the bit, clean, re-insert, drill 1/4"...repeat for 15"!
before:
after:
it another hour with knife and chisels....lots of lamp black.......got the lock panel settled.......
tang bolt to trigger plate, then side plate to lock panel bolts.........yet to come~
the wood is still 1/8" "proud" around this area.....sandpaper time! the sides will be worked down and designed as i go...i will make templates of each side, so they are the same. then the forestock 'proud' wood will be sanded down... it get thinner and thinner~till the wood in places is only 1/8" thick....so i always store the rifle with the barrel and rod IN the stock!
hummm....maybe that's why i like ol thin Paris so much