i bought my first inletted stock, i need help finishing it.

[slate]

currently i'm taking a gunsmithing course and im learning about gunstocks and was having a hard time with all of the different sections and procedures to finish the stock. so i am more of a "hands on" kinda guy. i went and got a hawken muzzloader kit. now the stock is nowhere near being complete, i was really just wondering if any of you would have some good advice on sanding, staining, filing, shaping. etc. i ask because gunsmithing is like any trade and you'll learn more from guys in the field than the you ever will in the classroom. BTW, the stock is walnut. hah, one last question. the kit came with a brass buttplate. now is there anything wrong if i choose to install a recoil pad instead? im a lanky guy and perfer a little longer of a stock. thanks!

[deth502]

check the "rifles" section.

i remember lycan diong a tutorial on finishing up a richards microfit semi inletted stock there a while back.

[slate]

thank you i appreciate it

[lebshiff21]

I used this method on a mauser I built. It takes a long time, but very much worth it.

http://mausercentral.com/stockfinish.htm

Here's what mine looked like when finished:

[oldemagics]

Hi Slate,
also learning here but lucky enough to have found an elderly smith anxious to pass on what he knows.
finish is partly dependant on what effect you are after
either way i have lately been sealing by wet sanding with 360-400 grit wet/dry paper useing linseed oil/mineral spirits 50/50
i like either linseed or tung oil over "true oil" because i have more control over finished gloss, but it does take longer even with a drying cabinet
on the final build coat you can leave the higher gloss or rub down to give that deep patina like an old collecter gun
as far as the recoil pad that again is personal preference as to appearance and function
to get a longer reach another option would be to fit a wood extension of either walnut or a contrasting colored peice of wood before fitting the brass plate