Bed before or after oil finish on walnut stock?

[Jessesky]

As some of you have seen, I’ve been working on an English walnut stock. It has come time to finish oil the wood. I’ve made up my finishing oil mixture on the stove today. It will take around two months of applications, and another two months to fully cure before I can cut the checkering. Definitely not for the impatient.

If given the option, would you bed the rifle before, or after oiling?

I know you can bed oil finished stocks, I’ve done it before. But which would be the best? Would the wood inside the action inlet end up dehydrated due to no oil? Bedding first would be ideal so I can fix mistakes before the finish coat is on.....That is if it is healthy for the wood.

 

[Blue68f100]

I would bed before. The reason why is you seam to always have to remove material at some locations, which would remove the oil/stain. Besides you will get a much better bond to clean wood vs oil embedded.

 

[troy fairweather]

Before.

 

[troy fairweather]

It's looking real good jessesky. What grip cap and but pad you using, necg?.

 

[earlthegoat2]

Before.

As a lifelong fledging gunsmith and a lifelong hobby woodworker, I will say that no detrimental effects will happen as a result of bedding first and oiling last. Dehydrated wood does not matter as long as it does not become rapidly rehydrates.

 

[Thisisyourcaptin]

I would say before as well. Did it with my two mosin builds, two Mausers, and 1 700. Worked great no regrets.

I was looking but can’t find them, do you have links to you build of this stock on here? Would love to read them.

nate