Jeramie Posted February 11, 2010 Report Share Posted February 11, 2010 My Ruger M77, .243 (Custom) needs a stock job. It use to be spotless but I use my guns so now it has some dings and dents. I was thinking it would be a nice project for the summer. Ill probably keep it wood (meaning no dipping). I like wood stocks and if I did want to change it to look more "Functional" I would probably just find a hogue stock and replace it. Anyway, im open to suggestions. I want something different. Anyone have any ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njbowhntr Posted February 14, 2010 Report Share Posted February 14, 2010 If you want to keep wood, then just work on the stock you have. You can just strip it down, give it a good sanding, and re-finish. I have never used them, but I have read many stock finishing articles on the web. It seems that the Birchwood Casey products have great reviews. They give you the instructions for a satin (cut) finish or a gloss finish. And in-expensive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strut10 Posted February 14, 2010 Report Share Posted February 14, 2010 I guess if you wanna keep it spotless, then a strip & re-finish is in your future. I, personally, always thought that, on my hunting guns, each nick, notch and bruise added character and told a story. Unless they're horrendous, I leave 'em. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun_300 Posted February 14, 2010 Report Share Posted February 14, 2010 I guess if you wanna keep it spotless, then a strip & re-finish is in your future. I, personally, always thought that, on my hunting guns, each nick, notch and bruise added character and told a story. Unless they're horrendous, I leave 'em. Ditto! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoosierbuck Posted February 15, 2010 Report Share Posted February 15, 2010 Never done it, but there is a process called steaming which can raise some dents out of the wood. That would be part of a total strip and sand and refinish package deal, I think. My stocks are either plastic or dinged wood. HB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hunterbobb Posted February 17, 2010 Report Share Posted February 17, 2010 One option that really makes a big diffence to a wood stock is to install a forend tip. You can PM me for more information. I have installed over a dozen on different rifle stocks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeramie Posted February 18, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 18, 2010 Thats not a bad idea Bob.. My Ruger UL, .30-06 has one. Looks great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeramie Posted February 18, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 18, 2010 I, personally, always thought that, on my hunting guns, each nick, notch and bruise added character and told a story. Unless they're horrendous, I leave 'em. You may have a point. Im kind of on the fence. It is a hunting rig but I wouldnt mind dressing it up to make it look a little more custom or different... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dartonman Posted February 22, 2010 Report Share Posted February 22, 2010 If you want a pretty gun, without scratches and dents, that thing would have to be refinished, and then a safe queen....Id leave it the way it is, cap it, adds character....and keep on shooting....its a great gun, and meant to kill Gods creatures....I agree with Don, every nick, and dent has a story and a memory........al Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeramie Posted February 22, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 22, 2010 If you want a pretty gun, without scratches and dents, that thing would have to be refinished, and then a safe queen....Id leave it the way it is, cap it, adds character....and keep on shooting....its a great gun, and meant to kill Gods creatures....I agree with Don, every nick, and dent has a story and a memory........al Not a bad call guys... I may just cap it and leave it be. Thanks for the input. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluelund79 Posted February 22, 2010 Report Share Posted February 22, 2010 I'd keep the nicks and stuff, character marks are cool. If you are wanting to change looks-strip it and stain it a different shade....Your gun, your call! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swamphunter Posted February 22, 2010 Report Share Posted February 22, 2010 I guess if you wanna keep it spotless, then a strip & re-finish is in your future. I, personally, always thought that, on my hunting guns, each nick, notch and bruise added character and told a story. Unless they're horrendous, I leave 'em. Me also... my 700 ADL speaks volumes about where its been by the looks of it. I DON"T ABUSE MY GUNS, but since it still drives nails, thats all that matters. If I was worried about fixing or replacing the stock when it got dinged, I would be doing so every year. I hunt hard, and my rifle reflects... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerClay Posted February 23, 2010 Report Share Posted February 23, 2010 I, personally, always thought that, on my hunting guns, each nick, notch and bruise added character and told a story. Unless they're horrendous, I leave 'em. I agree with Don on this. I have only refinished two guns in my life. One was chewed on by a horse. The other was a split stock after a fall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeramie Posted February 23, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 23, 2010 I have only refinished two guns in my life. One was chewed on by a horse. Ummmmm..... care to explain that one?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jokostel Posted February 23, 2010 Report Share Posted February 23, 2010 Id leave the stock alone, just do a few nice coats of oil on it... and let it be. ** If you DO want to change it up a bit, or flustered with it, order a stock from Boyds in Mitchell, SD. I did that with a model 700 Mountain LSS that I have... bought a fully finished stock for 92$ plus shipping. The thing shoots great yet, and to say that it looks great is an understatement.... Koz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uncle john Posted February 25, 2010 Report Share Posted February 25, 2010 I'd agree to let the scars alone. If this rifle is a tool that you use, it will suffer from time to time. Not from abuse, but honest use and accident. A little oil finish in a bad gouge or scrape will help keep water out. If you do decide to totally refinish, be careful in removing the old finish, steam up the dents, and go carefully with the sandpaper. You can remove a lot of wood in a hurry with sandpaper, especially on areas where the metal meets the wood. These are areas where you can detract from appearance quickly. Rubber sanding blocks of various sizes help control the process. I usually don't use any paper coarser than 320 for the first work, and for final sanding, 400 grit. Some stains and oils can be made less evident by wiping with alcohol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PA_RIDGE_RUNNER Posted February 26, 2010 Report Share Posted February 26, 2010 I have refinished a few stocks but none recently. The only times that I did refinish a stock was on a rifle I was sure would never gain collector value. The work as already mentioned is rather slow and a bit tedious. The last two I refinished I did in tung oil. Tung oil does not darken with age and therefore can be touched up real easy. Most linseed oils will get so dark with age you can no longer see the wood grain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hungry hunter Posted February 27, 2010 Report Share Posted February 27, 2010 +1 on what Jearamie said, how did a horse chew up a stock. Was the rifle used like a bat to hit the horse in the mouth:D:D:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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