refinishing a Factory stock

[Peter_Kirch]

Well guys I got a wild hair up my ass today. I decided to turn one of my used guns into a gunsmithing practice session. Im a lefty and its a right handed weapon I got for cheap so here it is. Its a non accu 110gxp circa 2001. I figured I'd use this one as a "throw the book at it, see what you can do for the least amount of money" type experience as I am also currently building a .308 precision rifle.
So far just have the materials for bedding, pachmayr recoil pad, and rings and a base.
[img width=600 height=450]http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh114/pk31690/PA290092.jpg[/img]

[img width=600 height=450]http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh114/pk31690/PA290090.jpg[/img]

[img width=600 height=450]http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh114/pk31690/PA290096.jpg[/img]

I decided it might look cool to leave the checkering stained to add contrast so after sanding I restained the areas of stock checkering. I also Thought I might stipple the grip if the checkering didn't turn out. Let me know what you think!
Ideas on where you think this project should go are also welcome


-Peter

[ellobo]

Contrasting colors are nice, but the wood isnt the greatest and leaving it light doesnt work for me. When I refinish a stock with checkering I use a liquid finish remover especialy in the checkering. When the varnish or whatever is softenid I brush it out with one of the fine wire wire brushes that come with most gun cleaning kits to get the old finish out of the checkering. I then repoint the checkering with Dem-Bart checkering tools.
I use walnut stain, usualy MinWax oil stains with a little red oak added. The red oak stain adds a little vibrancy to the finish. Any good oil finsih will work. Tung oil is great and tough. Several coats of stain, let dry. Finish with as many coats of oil as it takes to fill the pores. I thin the first few coats so it sinks in to the wood for maximum protection. 4xxxx steel wool rub between coats then finish with fine grit paper.

El Lobo

[Peter_Kirch]

I think you are right. I like the golden oak color but I think if i do that itll turn into looking like a piece of furniture that goes with my bedroom set.

[ellobo]

I forgot to mention, when done buff it heavily with a good solid furniture wax like Buthers wax which is a good furniture wax. Simonize will work but it needs to dry some before rubbing and buffing it in. I am not fond of petroleum based waxes. carnauba wax is also very good. Buff again a few weeks after the initial work.

El Lobo.

[sharpshooter]

The birch factory stocks do not accept stain well due to close grain and waxiness of the wood. The finish that is applied from the factory is actually a stain and finish all in one.
Deft makes a finish called "step saver" that is an all in one type. I 've used this finish on several Mossberg stocks with good results.
One other option would be using graining ink and glaze with a stiff brush to produce faux grain patterns. I've seen this done and was amazed with the results and was actually fooled into thinking it was highly figured walnut.

[Peter_Kirch]

I just skipped any staining and went ahead with plain old oil based satin polyurethane. Ill post some picks when it dries. I don't think it turned out half bad

[Peter_Kirch]

Here's the pictures. Tell me what you guys think... Are you sure this is oak and not birch?

[img width=600 height=450]http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh114/pk31690/PA310100.jpg[/img]

[img width=600 height=450]http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh114/pk31690/PA310101.jpg[/img]

[img width=600 height=450]http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh114/pk31690/PA310102.jpg[/img]

[img width=600 height=450]http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh114/pk31690/PA310103.jpg[/img]

[img width=600 height=450]http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh114/pk31690/PA310104.jpg[/img]

[Balljoint]

Have a birch stock that has the same look as this

[Dirk]

Here's the pictures. Tell me what you guys think... Are you sure this is oak and not birch?

It IS birch! Not oak. You did a nice job. I don't care for light colored stocks, but that's just me.

[Eric in NC]

Yep Birch (beech would be the other possiblity but Savage uses Birch) - you can tell by the shiny half-moon "rays" that cross the grain.

Be sure you put an extra coat of finish in the barrel channel, action inlet, mag well and under the pad.

[fatdaddy]

Hey Peter,
Looks like birch to me. I like the looks of your stock project. Out of the ordinary is good. Bill

[HRstretch]

I think it looks good. Job well done.

[skoger]

Looks good. I just redid same one for a guy, used some Red/brown Muzzleloader stain called Colonial red, a lot of old winchesters had this on them. This is an alcohol based stain, raises the grain, steel wool between coats for 4 coats and then 5 coats of deft. The stock came out a brownish red, great looking and wasnt light at all, real dark what the guy wanted so it wouldnt reflect light and spook game. Brownells has it I believe.