SMLE No4 Mk1 Stock Warp

[cringer70]

I purchased a SMLE and after initally cleaning it and shooting, I found it to be shooting to the right. This was odd because the front sight had been adjusted about as far right as it would go without falling off the sight post.
I disassembled the rifle, leveled the receiver and set up a plumb bob to check for barrel alignment. What I found was matching barrel and receiver serial numbers, a perfectly straight 2 groove barrel and what seems to be original wood (all 3 peices from the same mfgr). It seems this rifle has a bit of history and doesn't look to be rebuilt at all in the past except for a Savage Bolt.
My problem with the sight is not a sight problem at all. Turns out the fore-stock seems to be warped. Applying pressure to the right side of the barrel midway down the length and to the left side of the muzzle. The fore-stock protector is also hitting the muzzle from the left side.
The question is...How can I fix this without replacing the wood? Could I steam the forestock and twist it back? Should I remove material from it? Can I remove the fore-stock protector, remove material, reintall it and still have a good looking rifle?
Any advice is good advice. Thank you.

 

[Dfariswheel]

That's a tough one.
Steaming the wood may work, but in my experience, wood that warps will warp right back again most of the time.

If there's enough wood there, you can remove enough material to clear the barrel, then apply enough finish to the inside and out of the wood to seal it.

Removing the fore end protector is a last resort, since they seldom go back on right, especially after wood is removed.

You can also look closely at the action bedding. It's possible THAT's what's off and it's forcing the fore end over.

You can try using a straight edge to check if the fore end is actually warped, or the bedding is putting the entire fore end off-center.

If it's actually warped, your best options are to do a combination of steaming and wood removal, then really sealing the wood with a good finish.

If it's the bedding, you can try re-bedding it with glass bedding compound.

If this doesn't work, you're better off replacing it.