doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Restocking : Wood sources, stockmakers and pricing

The recent Ruger thread got me thinking how much I don't care for the wood on my Gold Label. I know nothing about restocking or selecting wood and I know I'm in the presence of experts. I also have no talent, so I wouldn't be doing any of the work. So, any help on: 1). Capable stockmakers who wouldn't get nauseated at the thought of working on a Ruger; 2).Wood sources where someone with no knowledge would be treated fairly; and 3). Approximate cost and reasonable time frame for the work, assuming a two piece blank in the $500-700 range. Thanks for any help. I'm quite curious thinking about it.

If you look at the list of advertisers on this board you'll see Pete Hiatt, of Sisters, Oregon.

Fine man and a fine man to do business with. Bring your check book- it ain't cheap. But then, what is good and long lasting that is?

Cary

For wood, check out Luxus Walnut. Talk to Clay and tell him Trez sent you over.

http://www.luxusgunstock.com/

Most of the wood I stock guns with are in the $1500-$2500 range, but he also has a great selection in the price range you are looking for. As for a Ruger, there is nothing wrong with them in my book. Good guns. I don't see many come through the shop but my favorite rifle as a kid was a ruger 77 that my dad bought for me. Loved shooting that gun.

Thanks for the replies. I won't have internet acces until tomorrow morning, but I appreciate the thoughts. I'll check back tomorrow. Is the stockmaker and the wood purchase usually separate (ie., stockmakers don't normally keep dried blanks to sell)? I'm not sure what I'll do, if anything, but everytime I take that Gold Label out, I think "I wish the wood were nicer." Otherwise it's a fun gun to shoot. It's fun to think about.

Most stock makers have a ready supply, however it isn't uncommon for a customer to bring his own wood to the maker either. If you buy your own, please talk to a good dealer (like Luxus above). Grain flow through the grip of your stock is quite important.

I always like the ones with awesome color, wild grain flow in the butt, great grain flow in the grip, dense, air dried, fiddle back, good contrast, dark streaks, etc... When you find a bunch of these really cheap,let me know would ya. Maybe as a finder's fee I can buy you a piece.

Really though, Clay has some great wood and is quite reasonable on price. If you are looking to do the project soon, let him know you want it dry and ready to go as he also sells green wood. It's less expensive, but you have to wait a few years. He just got two more shipping containers of Turkish Walnut in recently (i.e. he has a lot of wood).

If the maker you choose is close by, it is always nice to hold the wood in your hands. It beats a picture by a long shot. If it looks good in a picture most of the time it looks great in person.
My 2cents

I am in the process of refinishing my Ruger rifle. I couldn't tell how nice the wood was because of the factory finish. After I stripped it down and started sanding and applying Formbys Tung Oil Finish it looks pretty damn good. Nothing spectatular but better than new.

Good point. I've seen some very nice wood on Ruger RL's as well.

Trez is right about Luxus walnut. I bought a blank from him at the Guild show that should make an exceptional stock when it's done.

Just for grins I thought I would share a picture of a clients gun that I took to the local gun club last night. It needed a function test before I proceeded any futher so off I went. This is a piece of very fine turkish that I bought for him from another turkish supplier (Denli). This piece of wood would not really be appropriate for a sxs but it sure dresses up a 391.

Keadog, Cary's recommendation to read Pete Hiatt's site is a good one, there's some good basic information at his site about wood, drying, grain flow, and selecting wood for stocking.

I bought a piece of wood for restocking one of my guns from Pete about a year and a half ago, and he guarantees his wood to be free from defects. His price was more than reasonable, IMHO.

The gun is currently in the hands of Toby Leeds for restocking. Here's a link to pics of the gun in the restocking process, after the page loads, look at the top row and view 3 thumbnails titled F.Rizzini Restock.

http://groups.msn.com/Herbicide/shoebox.msnw?Page=3

Peruse Ali's inventory if you want Turkish. http://www.denli-gunstocks.com/
Unless you're restocking a pedigreed gun, you'll be spending more than the gun is worth without doing some of the work yourself. Here's a budget scenario for an attractive stock that will give you pleasure each time you look at it:
1. wood $350
2. turn & inlet $250
3. quality checkering $200
4. Guesstimate for shaping and fine inletting $3-500
5. Finish it yourself, there are detailed threads in this bbs.