Stock finishes?

[Drawdown]

I've had this Remington 700 bdl 270Win for 3 years and I've always loved looks of a 700, but after a while I just don't like a high shine finish, especially in woods, like packing a mirror. So after deliberating on it ever since I got it, I put the 0000 steel wool to it. Didn't take as long as I thought. After I rubbed it with Old English wood cleaner & conditioner, which I use on all my guns. Here two picks, before & after both in late morning sun. I think it a big improvement?

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Well actually after & before. I believe I'll do my Marlin 336 30-30, I don't like the Marshield finish of the 70's

[1894cfan]

Yes, BIG improvement! I also didn't like the marshield on my '77 39a, so striped it and recoated it with tru-oil. Later I picked up a '70s Win 94 30/30 that the finish was cracking on, so gave it the same treatment. Gave both the steel wool rub down.

[gamekeeper]

I would call it a big improvement I have never liked super shiny stocks.

[Drawdown]

My 336 is a 77 made, an old coworker bought it new. I bought it from him in 81. I bought a new 39a in sept 77, my 3rd payday after I went to work after HS. Bought a new Remington Wingmaster with my 1st payday. Sure wish I had that 39a back, dandy squirrel rifle!
One my favorite stocks ever, me and my brother bought my dad a Mod 50 Winchester 12ga in 79. Brother had ir reblued, I refinished the stock. Took my time, Lotta light rubs with truoil. I was as proud of it as my dad was. He rolled out a ton of squirrels with that one, only gun he hunted with from then on. He was The Squirrel Hunting Guru! In 68 he got his back broke, Rockfall underground mining, may I believe. I was behind him plenty come August-Sept, he had a full upper body cast, under his arms and rubbed top his legs when he walked. He'd go thru woods, a Winchester in one hand, other hand holding the cast up so wouldn't rub his legs raw!

[1894cfan]

I bought a new 39a in sept 77, my 3rd payday after I went to work after HS. Sure wish I had that 39a back, dandy squirrel rifle!

Yes it is, also works wonders on rabbits, crows and ravens when the opportunity presents itself. Cats too if they make a nuisance of themselves.

[gcs]

Took the Marsheild finish off my 336 years ago and treated it with BLO, much better, also took the white plastic spacers off . I think it looks much better and a dab of oil on your hand rubbed in keeps it purty..lol

[gamekeeper]

Took the Marsheild finish off my 336 years ago and treated it with BLO, much better, also took the white plastic spacers off . I think it looks much better and a dab of oil on your hand rubbed in keeps it purty..lol

I dislike those white plastic spacers and they get thrown away from any gun I buy with the darn things on..

[4t5]

Very nice job , time for new shoes

[GunnyMack]

0000 steel wool is great for knocking back the shine, well done !
There used to be a finish on the market my stock making instructor sweared by and I agreed, Varathane Flecto 66. It was great for sealing and easy to work with, rub it in and let it dry. Build the finish as glossy as you wanted just by adding another coat.
Sadly the gubbermint and the VOC laws I haven't seen it in probably 25yrs. Wish I could find a couple quarts!

[44shooter]

Looks much better without the bowling ball finish

[Drawdown]

Very nice job , time for new shoes

That's funny! Cause if only you knew how true it is! I can't stand part with with my old favorite shoes, nothing feels better. But those stay outside the door, under carport, have beat the bugs and spiders out before I put em on. Mow grass in em, everything. I've noticed I leave em on doorstep, don't get as many people knocking on door ,idk what it is?
But the whitening spacers? There was lotta years I grew to hate em! But in last 10 years, I love em! Why? Cause in 60's-70's when I was growing up, thumbing gun magazines, Sears & Roebuck, it was The Thing- In Style! I loved em, especially looking at Mod 700s & Weatherbys. Then by 80's, I thought Uuch! But lately, it just just brings back that same ole good feeling, looks correct! What I hate is 90% of the plastic disposable stocks! But if it's period correct for the rifle, I love em!
Had an old Remington 742 Woodsmaster 30-06 sitting around long time with 1/3 the butt plate and white spacer broke off and missing, and I'd long planned when I fix that I'm gonna do away with the spacers. Well 2 years ago I ordered the correct butt plate but couldn't find the spacer. I cut a piece of white milk jug to fit, installed it. Now, unless you look for it, can't tell.
Hey, it's about time for white line spacers come back in style, I'll be ready! But when I'm sitting in woods nothing stirring, I look in my lap, feels like 1977 all over again!

[Streetstar]

Looks good and I’m glad you like the results! Looks understated and classy - post a pic of the assembled rifle in its new form if you can

This post also reminds me that I’ve never owned a 270, so with 2025 being the 100th anniversary of the cartridge, perhaps it’s time to rectify that

I possibly go against the grain a bit in that I actually like the glossy finish a lot of guns from that era had. Perhaps nostalgia for a time when all my dad’s buddies had Marlins with the glossy stocks and white spacers. Dad was a Winchester guy himself though. But man I thought his co-workers’ Marlin in .307 was cool

And the Weatherby’s of the time - oh my

[marlinman93]

I've always loved Remington 700 rifles, and always had one. But the one thing I too disliked is the shiny finish on the wood stocks. I've also refinished them to eliminate the high shine. My current 700-VSF has the HS Precision Kevlar stock, so it didn't need any refinishing. Not as pretty as walnut, but it's an extremely accurate stock combo with the aluminum bedding block built into it.

[Drawdown]

The finished product. I gave it another good rub last night with the Old English, then lotta rubbing with dry towel, reassembled. It had few bad rouges in the rear butt, that with the old finish, they showed as bad as a gravel hit the windshield look. But i about rubb3d em out. Upclose, it looks 99% new!

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Them stinking shoes always gotta get in the pic

[Drawdown]

Looks good and I’m glad you like the results! Looks understated and classy - post a pic of the assembled rifle in its new form if you can

This post also reminds me that I’ve never owned a 270, so with 2025 being the 100th anniversary of the cartridge, perhaps it’s time to rectify that

I possibly go against the grain a bit in that I actually like the glossy finish a lot of guns from that era had. Perhaps nostalgia for a time when all my dad’s buddies had Marlins with the glossy stocks and white spacers. Dad was a Winchester guy himself though. But man I thought his co-workers’ Marlin in .307 was cool

And the Weatherby’s of the time - oh my

Same here actually on the 270Win. I'd always wanted a Rem 700, from my youth! But the 270Win? One those cartridges, I kinda took the pro 30-06 frowned on the 270Win! But in last 10 years, started getting the itch. An old HS friend, long time deer hunter and reloader. Everytime we'd discuss rifles, he knew I was 308" devout. He'd say, " you get a 270Win and you'll put that 06 in cabinet for storage!" No Way! But he was also big on the 25-06! He had 30-06 from his youth growing up here, everybody did. But in 2021 I rode up to our local gunshop with a friend just to tag along. The owner pulls out 2 Mod 700s he's selling on consignment. Ones a 25-06 and this 270Win. I about pulled my hair out looking at em, long time! Either $600? Now I'd shot another buddies Rem 700 25-06 aprox 10 years ago, and fell in love with it, tried to buy it but no way.
So at first I kept looking at the 25-06. But I got to thinking, if I don't buy this 270Win, I never will. So I took it, and now wish I could've afforded both!
This rifle is by no means a tack driver. But it's plenty hunting accuracy capable, and it handles and shoulders for woods hunting offhand shooting, just like Baby Bears Soup!

[Oldncrusty]

Nice job!. My first cf rifle was a 700 ADL in .243 so I didn't have to worry about all that urethane. But I would have done the same thing to any BDL.