Thread: Wood Stock Sealant

Current finish is Boiled linseed oil. It's what I had.)
Top Rifle

Boiled linseed will be fine - mix a tiny amount of turps with first coat-linseed will soak in better - suggest light sand first to remove any dirt etc

Looks good. I'd stick with the BLO too. If it was end grain then it might be worth sealing more thoroughly, but otherwise you might as well match the exterior for water resistance.

Idle musing here, but you could probably make a specific case for not sealing the barrel channel more thoroughly than the outside. When the stock is picking up atmospheric moisture I could see benefit in all surfaces picking it up at the same rate. If the wood near the barrel stayed drier than the wood on the underside of the forearm, I imagine you'd see a slight warping tendency towards the barrel. Like a bimetallic strip bending. Better that everything shrinks and grows evenly.

I wouldn't put too much stock in that mind you, I only just came up with it. I'll probably decide I'm wrong by the end of the day