Can't decide - Tung, Linseed or Tru-oil?

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I bought an old Model 760 GameMaster in 308Win.

It was my Uncle's gun and the finish was peeling on the stock and forearm so I have removed all the old finish and have it all prepped to refinish it.

I want an oil finish and I got digging around and found a can of Tung oil and a bottle of linseed oil and a bottle of tru-oil.

Can't decide which to use. What are the pros and cons of each on a firearm that will be hunted with in all different climates?

Does anyone know what kind of oil the old Model 141 Rem pumps where finished with?
 
I just finished putting coat #5 of Behr Tung Oil on my Remington Model 6 today and I'm pretty impressed with the outcome. I can't speak to the durability of the finish because I haven't had the opportunity to hunt hard with the guns that I've refinished so far. I know that tung oil is nowhere near as tough as the poly that was on there, that's for sure.

Good luck with whatever you choose.
 
Flip a coin...

if it come up heads use Tung Oil

if it comes up tails use Tru Oil

if it stands on edge use linseed oil.
 
"...can't speak to the durability of the finish..." Tung oil(TO) gives a hard, waterproof, shiney, finish. It was (and likely still is) used on sea going boats in Asia for thousands of years. If you get a scratch, a bit more TO rubbed in makes the scratch go away. Tung oil runs about $15 per litre. More than enough for one rifle. Wouldn't use anything else myself.
Goes on in multiple light coats with 24 hours drying time between coats. You must apply any stain before putting any tung oil on. It'll keep the stain out. Mind you, decent wood doesn't need staining. The TO will bring out the grain nicely all by itself. TO is used on fine furniture. BLO is not.
Boiled Linseed Oil(BLO), not plain linseed oil(doesn't dry), gives a flat finish that isn't hard or waterproof. Same fix for scratches.
Tru-oil is a commercial finish that is a blend of linseed and oils not mentioned on Birchwood-Casey's site. Pricey stuff too. $18.30US for 32 oz.(quart)
 
guntech said:
Flip a coin...

if it come up heads use Tung Oil

if it comes up tails use Tru Oil

if it stands on edge use linseed oil.
Click to expand...

LMAO!:D

Linseed is miserable chit that takes forever to dry...Run away.

Tru oil smells fantastic and makes a warmer and slightly glossier finish than Tung oil....I believe Tru-oil is tung oil with some other additives? Did I mention it smells great!
 
Apparently Cooper recommends Howard Feed-N-Wax for their customers. I'm not sure what they use at the factory.
 
I've used TruOil many time with excellent results in the past. The more coats the shinier it gets, seems like a varnish type finish that sits on the wood. Does look good though. Last rifle I did was a Enfield, I wanted a more authentic look but wanted to try something different. I had a bunch of part cans of this and that. I mixed 4 oz. of each Tung, Teak, Danish, BLO, Turpentine, and stain. Worked great. I say mix and throw the TruOil in for good measure. You can't hurt anything. Make yourself a tank out of cardboard and line it with a couple garbage cans and give the wood a good soak for a day or two. You want the oil to soak in until it wont take any more then wipe it down and let it dry for a day or two. then give it a wipe with a bit more each day until your happy. Should take about 5 days if you can stop yourself. It seems a bit addictive to me :D
HomeBrewBath.jpg
 
another fan of TruOil here.
You can "adjust" the finish. I've left it shiny for some guns or dulled it down with 0000 steel wool for others. Scratches etc are easily touched up too.
 
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