Walnut Rifle Stock Surface Preparation & Finish

[Rabbitz]

After I dampened the stock for the earlier images this lifted a lot of whiskers, which really helped speed the sanding, so I can see how using the oil and wet & dry would work. I quite enjoyed doing the work so I don't think this will be the last rifle I restock, so I guess I'll find out how well it works then.

Colin

[spokeshave]

Top job Colin. It's come up beautifully.

I found it difficult to stop myself after doing my first stock. I was only going to do the one and finished up doing 3 or 4.

Keep us informed when you start you next one.

Steven.

[rdog]

As an old target rifle shooter an hunter i think tru oil or some thing to seal the wood is a must to keep the stock stable. wood stocks tend to change point of impact in dry or humid conditions.
i used to love walnut stocks, but synthetic & glass carbon fiber mixes are much better they do not look as
good but are much stronger & stable. you will to need to seal it up to use it on the rifle range. stocks finished with wax or linseed oil are only good to look at and be left in the rifle rack.
.

[ahemsa]

Something you might try on your next walnut project is tung oil. I don't know that it would be protective enough for a rifle finish, but it penetrates the wood and turns it into a beautiful dark brown.

Several years ago my dad built me a table with a walnut top and legs with maple rails and accents. The tung oil didn't hardly change the maple at all but made the walnut an extremely rich color. For extra protection he topped it with a clear poly. The results have been fantastic I think.

This is the only picture I have handy. Ignore the fingerprints and the guns

[bjcdjc]

ive been a member of the victorian rifle association for many years now and have found alot of people using bee's wax 3-4 coats after each coat leve in a warm spot so the wax melts into the timber but not direct sunlight after each coat rub with very fine steel wool and repeat hope this helps