What should i do for a finish?

Maybe paint? Walnut brown?

That come along nicely.....Those water stains were quite deep?

I'd try a dark stain, you may have to do it in layers letting each coat dry completely.

Alcohol sunburst stain like on a classic gibson or paul reed smith.

Joedirt199 got me to dig this up......Of course you don't have the flat surface area but wouldn't be hard to improvise.

Got any cut offs or scraps of the same wood to test out finishes before going to the stock with it?

Dr. Kralenstein said:

Getting close to putting a finish on my 3622, and want some opinions. There are a couple filler spots that would be visible if left in a stain/oil finish, and this wood didn't like tru oil when I tried it, so that out.

I'm thinking of trying a hydro dip film or just sponge camo, but I've done a couple of those and I'd like to try something different.

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Might I suggest dye…most can be cut with alcohol, and applied with a Preval spray unit. Lighter areas can be toned to match darker areas. Applied in light coats…a very uniform color can be achieved without masking the grain…good luck! John

I would check the dyes as johntaylor suggested. Woods that don't take oil/oil based stains well will often look great with water based stains, and or dyes. If you get a bottle of Rit fabric dye in black you can dilute with hot water and stain it up to look like old barn board

I'd try wood sealer first then a wiping stain after it's dried.

You can also paint it but you know how ugly that can be if done wrong.

Me, I like the classic low luster hand rubbed walnut look. I've refinished several older gunstocks and also one new semi-inletted sort of fancy stock I bought for a Handi Rifle.

My standard technique is hand sand per the advice above and start with multiple applications of Old English scratch cover for walnut (Wally has it). It's got oil & stain and fills in the grain very nicely. Rub in a coat, let it dry, repeat until the grain's filled or the color's to your liking. First few coats I just use a rag, later coats I use progressively finer steel wool. I use Tru Oil very sparingly for a few coats, rubbed out with fine or extra fine steel wool to get a durable finish that's not too Tru Oil-y looking.

I has used low luster/flat finish polyurethane on 2 guns but only a coat or two, and I rub the heck out those coats with steel wool, again to keep it low key.

I'll take picture or two if I can remember the gun safe combination . . .

Good luck! Scott

Like said above,use different dyes ,you can use cloth dyes,I used them and they work, please no camo,it is lame. The trend has been darkish with orange highlights. Um, maybe I thinking of pretty Gale.

I see you mention a dip. I dip alot of things, and I'd strongly suggest not dipping wood or a full stock for your first foray. If you must dip, find a sacrificial stock and practice alot. Otherwise be ready for alot of attempts and re dips, unless it's a pretty abstract blotchy pattern where exact transfer is not that important.

Bright pink with blue and green dots and stripes!!

Kidding....though it would look interesting