Simple Hackberry Stock Refinish

[Zorba]

Originally Posted by dkarpisek

I like it- reminds me of my Crosman 140 pellet gun stock- Elm, but with a similar distinctive grain pattern.

That makes sense as Hackberry is considered a member of the Elm family.

[dkarpisek]

https://photos.app.goo.gl/iswjTGx7YUeZjsLAA


Oh well, just click the links...can't seem to make google display the image...

[Zorba]

NICE!!!

[Me Not You]

While the collector types want the military wood, these rifles were given a new lease on life with new wood. I see them as still very useful rifles entering a new time of service in the civilian world. Why not a nice looking stock? I might prefer a somewhat darker finish so as not to stand out on the woods; but the natural hackberry really looks good.

Just wondering (I'm not a wood expert), is there a good reason why the buttstock cavities aren't drilled out for the cleaning kit? Just cost-cutting?

[Zorba]

Originally Posted by Me Not You

Just wondering (I'm not a wood expert), is there a good reason why the buttstock cavities aren't drilled out for the cleaning kit? Just cost-cutting?

That's the only downside of the Hackberry stocks as far as I'm concerned. I wish mine was drilled too - but I'm scared to try it myself!

[Hagelrock]

I have a CMP IHC rifle that has a hackberry stock. I believe the hand guards are original to the rifle. Would like to get the stock to match more closely. Your pics look good but would you have any recommendations on a stain to get the stock a little darker in color.

I do not want to do anything to the hand guards obviously

Thanks

[Ripton]

You can certainly use a darker stain, I think that's your best hope, but it's going to take some trial and error.

[Ripton]

Originally Posted by Zorba

That came out very nice. Mine was similar, although I was going for more of a "Golden Oak" look using an alcohol based maple stain followed by a TruOil finish. I just stripped with citrus strip, little to no sanding needed. There's no accounting for taste, but I think the Hackberry stocks - as evidenced by the OP's as just one - can look really good, albeit non-traditional.

I don't know of anybody who thinks the spray on stain/paint/whatever as they come from the CMP is a "good thing (tm)". Hackberry isn't Walnut, and no amount of weird finishing is going to make it look like Walnut. Embrace it for a beautiful wood in its own right, and results such as the OP's are achieved! Frankly, Walnut isn't the prettiest wood out there in the 1st place!

Zorba, Just saw your write up in the newest GCA, stock came out great, and great article!

[Zorba]

Originally Posted by Ripton

Zorba, Just saw your write up in the newest GCA, stock came out great, and great article!

Thanx for your kind words. They should have included the pix I sent of me in costume! But seriously, with a little bit of work, the Hackberry stock can look fantastic, just not traditional.

[Tinpig]

Originally Posted by Ripton

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1At...T-4NNr6G-zF5Zd

I sold a Hackberry stock recently and had a lot of people ask how I did the refinish. It's simple.

Sand off the existing finish, DON"T go too deep (see photos) let the grain still retain some of the original spray finish. End with a nice high grit sandpaper.

Chestnut Ridge stain. It's the best I know of and alcohol based. Give it a lot of coats until you are happy. They come in 2 bottle sizes, 1 month supply, and 10 year supply.

Raw Linseed Oil (I am sure you can use BLO too).

Wax. Garand Gear makes a good way, you can use beeswax for wood too.

That's it! Obviously if you have a stock with any real value this is not your best course of action. I refinish those as well, but it's an entirely different process, and it never involves sanding. This is quick, and makes a nice looking stock from a "giveaway" stock.

Beautiful job on that stock! I've been rationing my Chestnut Ridge since I heard it's no longer available.