Will Red Oak work?

Man. I'd say go for it, and what a cool story.



But I read this....

Oak splits too easily. And it rots. Heavy

Red oak has approx. the same specific density as maple and maple is sometimes used as gun stocks.

Are you sure it is Red Oak?

You can't say for sure it is red oak just by the color.

White oak can look reddish and is very rot resistant.

Sure red oak will rot for exterior (or boat) use, but who keeps their gun outside?

I would be more concerned of using a branch. Branches have stresses in them (they can twist) and are never used for woodworking, except for some lathe work or artistic items.

I would try to get a chunk of the trunk and have some fun.

My 2 cents, from a woodworker for the last 52 years.

Red oak is not a dense grain material like walnut or beach. It might make a decent stock, but I do not think it will. The only thing red oak is used for is flooring. If it was good for gun stocks the manufacturers would be using it because it is more available and cheaper than traditional stock materials.

I’ve always thought that the tannin in oak was another strike against it as far as stock material but it may not actually be a consideration. Thoughts from anyone as to whether it matters?

I’ve always thought that the tannin in oak was another strike against it as far as stock material but it may not actually be a consideration. Thoughts from anyone as to whether it matters?

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Heard the same thing. Oak is high in tannins that react with steel.

I see pointy leaves. Means red oak. Bark looks right too. Makes great fire wood and any of you old boys splits firewood know oak splits easy. You just wack it with an axe and you have two pieces. Smells good when burned. It's heavy. It splinters.

Don't you have a black walnut tree somewhere?

Red Oak is not the best wood for gun stocks because of its open cell makeup. It expands and contracts to much with changes in humidity and thus causes POI changes.

If you dry a piece be sure and seal the ends with wax, epoxy, etc. If you don't the ends will dry out faster then the center and the piece will crack. Depending on where you store it plan on 3-5 years for it to air dry.

I've made a boat load of kitchen cabinets in red oak!