Started sanding off the old finish on my inherited 340. I was told my obligation was to refinish the stock.
I think it is going to look pretty sharp when it is done.
Started sanding off the old finish on my inherited 340. I was told my obligation was to refinish the stock.
I think it is going to look pretty sharp when it is done.
I would have recommended using a chemical stripper like CitriStrip so you don't accidentally sand down the edges or anything (also preserves checkering). Nice inlay work on that stock btw.
"Life' is tough. It's even tougher if you're stupid." ~ John Wayne
“Under certain circumstances, urgent circumstances, desperate circumstances, profanity provides a relief denied even to prayer.” —Mark Twain
I should have asked.
There are no lines or checkering though.
The old finish is very thick and turns gummy if using a mechanical sander.
I am finding that scraping carefully with a blade and then sanding to the wood are making this easy.
I am leaving all the interior finish intact because it looks like much of it is full length bedded to the action.
Last edited by RMiller; 02-25-2019 at 09:59 PM. Reason: spelling
I am planning on using tru oil on the stock and would like thoughts on that though. Please and thank you.
I refinished one stock long ago that was just black in color when I bought the rifle. Turns out the rifle had a nice dark stock like this one with an ebony tipped forend. I bought that rifle for $150 and sold it for $300 after a Birchwood Casey blue job and stock refinish.
I have done a few stocks with Truoil, but prefer the look of a boiled linseed oil finish as it's not a shiney and spray-on looking. You can dull up the Truoil finish with some rotten stone or pumice though if you want more of a matte finish.
CitriStrip works great for stocks and can be found at Lowes and the like. It's non-toxic and environmentally safe so no worries about disposing of harsh chemicals. Put it on, let it soak in for 5-10 minutes, then scrape off with a rubber bondo applicator or old credit card. For checkering just apply, let sit, then scrub with an old toothbrush to clear out the old finish.
Here's the Winchester 94 furniture I redid with CitriStrip and boiled linseed oil a few years ago.
"Life' is tough. It's even tougher if you're stupid." ~ John Wayne
“Under certain circumstances, urgent circumstances, desperate circumstances, profanity provides a relief denied even to prayer.” —Mark Twain
Man you're on the right track with a hand rubbed oil finish. The more coats the better. I refinished a beat to heck old Browning BBR a couple of years ago using tru oil. The hardest part was getting off the factory finish. Man Browning really lays that poly or lacquer or whatever it is on thick. The stock looked amazing when it was done. I was able to flip it into a nice upgrade for me.
Good luck and make sure to post results as you progress.
A good wife and a steady job has ruined many a great hunter.
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