Rifle Stock Issue

[Gate7]

Hi all Any Ideas on how i can remove some marks from my riflestock? The stock has had all varnish removed and i've floated the barrel. I've tried using a damp cloth with a hot iron, and that worked on most of them, but i have some on the Butt of the rifle that seem to be a little too deep. Posted a pic for you guys to have a look at.
Thanks All
gate7

[orraloon]

I reckon the deep ones that the iron cant get will just have to stay. It just shows that the gun has had some use. It does not look bad and will not affect anything. There is a small chance that soaking the dented part with a wood oil will swell the fibers a bit but no guarantee. Wet a rag with the oil and wrap it on with clingwrap for a few days. It will not hurt anything if it does not work.
Regards
John

[Gate7]

Cool thanks orraloon,
One more thing, I'm going to use Tru-oil on the timber, what about the inside where the barrel sits and around the magazine and trigger? Would i have to seal those areas also? I think i should moisture can get in there also correct? should i use tru-oil in there also, sorry for the noob questions

Cheers
gate7

[orraloon]

From memory as I have not owned a gun in 25 years I have seen both sealed and dry wood. My instinct as a woodworker says seal the insides too but it may be prudent to seek the advice of a gunsmith before slopping away. A bit of gun oil is always going to seep in there also. I have also seen a badly twisted stock from being left hot car.
Regards
John

[Woodlee]

My take on it is , if the barrel is fully floating (not touching the stock anywhere between the receiver and the fore end tip then you can leave it unfinished if you want to. Most older factory rifles had the timber touching the barrel at the fore end tip to exert a slight upward pressure on the barrel to curb vibration when the projectile travels down the barrel .This set up is fine in a situation where the weather doesn't change .
But where there is drastic changes between dryness and humidity this will cause the timber of the stock to move , upsetting the balance (for want of a better word) of the barrel /stock relationship.

So If the barrel is not floated then I would seal it.Easy way to check is get a cigarette paper and try and pass it between the barrel and the stock at the fore end.If it gets stuck then you have contact between the barrel and the timber.

The other option is to bed the action into the stock with fibre glass or epoxy resin and float the barrel .
Either way I would seal it anyway ,as I used to hunt in wet and dry weather ,any moisture held by the timber under the barrel would cause rust.


BTW Tru-oil is the "ducks" nuts for rifle stocks follow the directions and you can't go wrong there.

Kev