Cutting Gun Stock Blanks

[Captain Ledd]

Me and a friend are wanting to try and do some custom stocks at some point for our rifles. I've got some more questions as I still consider myself a bit of an amateur when it comes to guns.

I've searched around a long freaking time on the internet and the consensus was "WALNUT". But further searches come up with all kinds of different types of wood for exotic stocks. Really the main argument for things other than walnut was that "it's not traditional".

First question: If it's good hardwood does it really matter?

We just lost a 300 year old White Oak tree, my neighbor has a TON of Cherry, Birch, Walnut, and more from a pipeline they're putting in through his back property. And if it's not used for this, it's all pretty much firewood. At this time, it's not firewood sized. They were directed to cut it into as long and as straight of chunks as possible that they could move.

Second question: What part can I cut stocks from? Trunk? Limbs? Heartwood? (I know sap wood is not too desirable) Any so long as it's rifle stock length? Recommendations are welcome.

I've read that the root-ball has the fanciest patterns, I can only get that from the Oak (hopefully), but they're might be some stumps back on my neighbors property still.

Third question: Should I cut logs with bends in them that follow the curves in the stock?

Looking to start chopping up the oak in the next few days. I know some of this stuff takes years to dry, but I hate to see it just get burned. Besides, it'd be cool to get a bit of money from them too.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I know back in the day oak was shunned because it was what poor people had for furnature. Maple and walnut were much more in "fashion" for those with the bucks.

Nowadays birch is really common on low end wood stocked guns. Like with the Marlin lever actions, the 336C gets walnut and the 336W gets birch.

You will need to find someone with a kiln to dry it. Letting it sit for a couple years lets it dry enough for firewood but it takes forever (10+ years) for it to dry on its own to really work with it.

It would be neat to play with, I think pistol grips would be fun to make.

 

[robertc1024]

Man, that's a good question. We've got a few people around these parts that make stocks. My FIL had an old, old, English .410 re-stocked by a guy down the road. I'd talk to the pros about it. I'd be happy to get his name and contact info for you if you are interested.