Thread: Laminated stock

Is it necessary (or advisable) to seal a laminated stock?.

All timber expands when wet, even hardwoods. So sealing is need, but what you use can differ.

Maybe an oil, but then the laminated timber would shin like they do.

I have a full bore target rifle(omark) that is laminated from 5 pieces of what seems to be gum/ausie hardwood and it is just oiled,not sealed in any thing but oil.
But that is a 5kg stock that doesnt get wet or carried around much

I'd say yes. I'd suggest boiled linseed oil, danish or tong oil, or something along those lines that seeps into the wood. Ding or scratch a varnished stock and water will get in and lift it IMHO.

I would err on the side of caution personally, as some oils could potentially damage the glue used to hold the laminate together.

I have a laminated stock here, it has a few chips in it and when used in the rain water sometimes gets in and you can see swelling. I dont use that stock anymore, have replaced it with a carbon STUG stock. Well worth it, looking at a getting another one when i get a new rifle.