Great suggestions by Stephen and others. I had just had to re-drill a stock that come off a duplicating machine when the operator did'nt "drill first".
Chuck, I use a Foerstner bit for the first go-round. They tolerate uneven grain very well and dont wander either. Not a bad choice for making lightening cuts too, as they can be used to overlap another hole.
I find aniline dyes work very well to manipulate and match dissimilar stock woods. They dont muddy-up the figure like the particulate suspension in stains. They come in a variety of colors and compatability; I use alcohol or water-based inintially on bare wood then blend some oil-soluable in the finish coats for an alkenat root-type appearence.
Have fun and good shooting,
C. K.
