A question about gunstock wood

Romulus · October 29, 2002, 10:35 AM

Would you kindly share some of your knowledge about wood?

I have recently acquired two nice walnut replacement stocks for two of my shotguns. This is really nice walnut. One of the stocks being replaced is a factory birchwood (or is it beechwood) stock. I may hang on to this stock and swap it now and then for field use, as it is a true utility piece. It seems to be denser than the walnut, but quite unhandsome.

Is birch a better wood for use as a gunstock, in terms of resistance to moisture, rot, abuse, etc...?

Thanks...

griz · October 29, 2002, 10:55 AM

No. Birch is not a bad choice for a stock, but the ONLY advantage it has over walnut is price.

Ledbetter · October 29, 2002, 12:30 PM

It might have one other advantage if you wanted a nice walnut stock to take to the trap club.

As long as you've got it, why not take off the old finish, stain it if you want, and put a nice glossy tung oil seal/finish on it? Take a look at these:

http://www.dgrguns.com/parts_for_sale.htm

Romulus · October 30, 2002, 01:30 AM

Ledbetter those are beautiful stocks...that site is a candystore. I plan on refinishing the walnut stocks, I dont think the birchwood will ever look like that no matter how good a job I'd do on it.

Thanks for the replies, guys

Ledbetter · October 30, 2002, 02:31 PM

I have seen birch stocks that were very pretty. The stocks on the DGR page were stained and then sanded to give them a two tone look. Then many coats of tung oil are applied until a gloss is acheived that is waterproof as well as attractive.

Just take your time and be patient. These are two really helpful sites I found by searching for

custom gunstocks
rifle stocks
stock refinishing, etc.

http://members.aol.com/jackcrawf/

http://riflestocks.tripod.com/bstock.html

October 29, 2002, 10:35 AM	#1
Romulus Senior Member Join Date: January 18, 2001 Location: Kettle Moraine country Posts: 897	A question about gunstock wood Would you kindly share some of your knowledge about wood? I have recently acquired two nice walnut replacement stocks for two of my shotguns. This is really nice walnut. One of the stocks being replaced is a factory birchwood (or is it beechwood) stock. I may hang on to this stock and swap it now and then for field use, as it is a true utility piece. It seems to be denser than the walnut, but quite unhandsome. Is birch a better wood for use as a gunstock, in terms of resistance to moisture, rot, abuse, etc...? Thanks... __________________ I knew Thomas Jefferson, he was a friend of mine...Governor Clinton, you're no Thomas Jefferson Ti faccio vedere come muore un italiano

October 30, 2002, 01:30 AM	#4
Romulus Senior Member Join Date: January 18, 2001 Location: Kettle Moraine country Posts: 897	Ledbetter those are beautiful stocks...that site is a candystore. I plan on refinishing the walnut stocks, I dont think the birchwood will ever look like that no matter how good a job I'd do on it. Thanks for the replies, guys __________________ I knew Thomas Jefferson, he was a friend of mine...Governor Clinton, you're no Thomas Jefferson Ti faccio vedere come muore un italiano

October 30, 2002, 02:31 PM	#5
Ledbetter Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2000 Location: California USA Posts: 4,533	Romulus I have seen birch stocks that were very pretty. The stocks on the DGR page were stained and then sanded to give them a two tone look. Then many coats of tung oil are applied until a gloss is acheived that is waterproof as well as attractive. Just take your time and be patient. These are two really helpful sites I found by searching for custom gunstocks rifle stocks stock refinishing, etc. http://members.aol.com/jackcrawf/ http://riflestocks.tripod.com/bstock.html

October 29, 2002, 10:55 AM	#2
griz Senior Member Join Date: July 31, 2000 Location: Middle Peninsula, VA Posts: 1,588	No. Birch is not a bad choice for a stock, but the ONLY advantage it has over walnut is price.

October 29, 2002, 12:30 PM	#3
Ledbetter Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2000 Location: California USA Posts: 4,533	It might have one other advantage if you wanted a nice walnut stock to take to the trap club. As long as you've got it, why not take off the old finish, stain it if you want, and put a nice glossy tung oil seal/finish on it? Take a look at these: http://www.dgrguns.com/parts_for_sale.htm