To fill pores, I start with a coat of verathane, then sand it down using velvet oil as a sanding medium, keep adding velvet oil, keep sanding, you'll build up to a thick mixture of velvet oil, verathane particles, and wood particles. Now keep sanding and keep it wet with velvet oil for at least 30 minutes(and preferably for 45-60min) the 'mud rub' as we call it will soak into the wood filling the pores. leave the 'mud' on pretty thick and let it dry for 2-5 days depending on relative humidity(more humid=more drying time). After it dries, sand the excess 'mud' off with velvet oil for sanding medium, be carefull not to sand too much off. Wipe any excess oil off with a rag and let it dry. Now it's ready for hand rubbing.
and if youi want to stain, stain the wood before hand, and mix in some of the stain when you do the 'mud rub'. I did this on my SKS stock, and it turned out absolutely beautiful. Look up the thread 'SKS refinish and re-blue' thread to see the results.