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Ram Rod Channel Inletted:

The forearm of the stock was cut down using a template from my shop for the ramrod. The width of the stock was divided by two and found the center line for the stock. Since this is a .40 caliber rifle, it will use a 5/16"  ramrod. I divided the width of the 5/16" ramrod and placed a mark on either side of the center line.  Then I drew two lines down the stock. Using a knife I cut down the inside of each line the length of the ramrod channel. 

Then I made a "V" cut along the inside of each line.

Next I used a 5/16" wide gouge to remove wood from between the two lines.

I did this till I was close to depth I needed.

    I used a depth gauge for the proper depth, which was 5/32". (1/2 the depth of the full ramrod.)

Once I was close, I used a bent 5/16" diameter round file . To make this I heated the handle end of the file (minus the wood handle) then bent it in a vise. Then I stuck the file vertically in a vise and struck it with a hammer to break off the end. This gave me a nice cutting edge on the file end. Using the file, I can smooth out the gouge marks and lower the channel to the proper depth.  

Now the channel is ready to have the 5/16" ramrod drill placed in the channel to drill into the stock. When you drill, press the drill into the stock a little at a time and withdraw the drill all the way out to remove the wood chips. This takes time, but makes a straighter hole.

The channel is now finished.