To English Red or not

[Westerner1939]

Curious what your guys thoughts are? This is a stock for a correct hand model 70 project I’m working on for myself. I like the color of it here, just mineral spirits to expose the grain. I’m going to do a hand rubbed oil finish on it before sending it out to get checkered. I’m kicking around hitting it with some arts French red filler to mimic the older Winchester stocks a little closer but a little hesitant as there’s no undoing that. It’s already got a pretty red hue to it.

 

[Jhsmith]

Curious what your guys thoughts are? This is a stock for a correct hand model 70 project I’m working on for myself. I like the color of it here, just mineral spirits to expose the grain. I’m going to do a hand rubbed oil finish on it before sending it out to get checkered. I’m kicking around hitting it with some arts French red filler to mimic the older Winchester stocks a little closer but a little hesitant as there’s no undoing that. It’s already got a pretty red hue to it.

A wonderful correct hand stock!

What are your thoughts on the finished rifle cartridge, barrel contour...?
Nothing wrong with the 30-06 Springfield.
That being said there's a lot of neat cartridges out there.

Talk about a kid in a candy store!

Please post further pictures as the project moves along.

 

[Westerner1939]

A wonderful correct hand stock!

What are your thoughts on the finished rifle cartridge, barrel contour...?
Nothing wrong with the 30-06 Springfield.
That being said there's a lot of neat cartridges out there.

Talk about a kid in a candy store!

Please post further pictures as the project moves along.

The rifle is currently a 30-06 but I just can’t let great be good enough so it’s getting a 21”McGowen .35 Whelen barrel.

Through some persuading and careful choice of words to Rugers customer service department, I aquired a front and rear sight set off a Hawkeye African. Some would take issue with Ruger sights on a Winchester but aesthetically they’re my favorite sights. The barrel will be contoured to accept the .80 opening of the banded front sight.

Dakota style grip cap, might get the floor plate engraved. I’m going to have LRI do most of the gunsmithing on it and they use Parkwest arms for bluing.

The great and talented Evan Koch is doing the checkering, he posts awesome content on Instagram.

Will probably be topping it off with a Swarovski Z6 1.7-10x40

Anyways, that’s a rundown of my poor man’s expensive hunting rifle build.
I’ll be sure to post pictures when it’s done!

 

[lkydvl]

I've had great results from Arrow stock finish. Best thing I have found for duplicating the original Winchester pre 64 70 finish and color.

 

[Fatback]

That is going to be a beautiful rifle in a fantastic cartridge. Make sure we get to see pics of the finished product, please and thank you.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I use LinSpeed finish. It gives a reddish hue. Appears to have some red pigment added to the oil.

 

[AZDAVE]

If it is walnut I use a English red oil I make for the first two coats, then apply the hand rubbed oil finish.

 

[CJW]

There are some pieces of walnut with an already present natural red hue and beautiful grain that don't need any kind of tinted oil. That could be one. Though if you really wanted that extra red finish, something with some alkanet root in it wouldn't hurt.

 

[Tucketed]

Arts red is pretty easy to use. I have refinished 2 rifles using it. It is supposed to be the formula as what Winchester used.

 

[AimSmall]

Looks pretty good.

What makes you happy?

 

[CBeck]

SB McWilliams alkanet is a great oil finish that really accentuates the grain. I don’t believe that stock needs any additional color. SB McWilliams also has another good finish the London oil finish which has no tint.

I use a sanding slurry or rotten stone slurry to help fill the grain. An example of a dark and light stock both done with sb McWilliams alkanet

 

[Russ16]

Take a look at this. Pretty sure I can’t say the name without being edited but I’m using it on a cheap Spanish shotgun as a first gun refinish myself. His English red tint can be diluted to the color you want. Watch his YouTube video where he refinished a rifle stock very informative and clear on how to adjust the color.

Slipperydicksgunwax

gun stock oils and waxes

www.slipperydicksgunwax.co.uk

 

[Hagler.450Ex]

Years ago, I heard a rumor that Duane Wiebe's English Red consisted of a portion of red food coloring. I'd give money to know his recipe. Could have been just a rumor, I don't know.