Opinion: Straighter grain for the larger calibres.

Rob

Rob

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Opinion.

I am pleased to note that the late master gunsmith Martin Hagen was no fan of the highest grades of burl walnut stock wood. He called it "pipe wood." I like a nice piece of walnut as much as anyone, especially ones with darker mineral streaks in the grain, but preferably in smaller calibers. When it comes to anything approaching medium or big bores, I prefer a straight grain. I believe this will result in fewer cracks. I have seen too many beautifully grained stocks, especially in the larger calibers, cracked all to hell. Complex grain can weaken a stock. (By medium/large calibers, I mean anything like 9.3x62 and .375 H&H and up. And maybe even some of the smaller "magnum" calibers.)
 
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I agree that fancy walnut is more prone to cracking in particular at the tang. Some stockmakers try to build stocks so the flow of the grain even follows the shape of the pistol grip on several big bores I've seen.
 
I agree with the OP that prudent thinking means straight/stronger wood is more appropriate for a heavier kicking gun….
BUT I can’t count the number of guns I’ve boughten because of the beautiful wood. They are totally irresistible and even though they have their quirks I’m fully prepared to take a chance and bring them home with me. I have the same attitude and policy with beautiful women, take your chances but bring them home. Gorgeous figures are meant to be admired and hand rubbed with oil…My name is Bill…and I am a Gunzlut.
 
In my humble opinion, any gun stock needs to be made properly, and that means straight grains. I love burled wood, but I agree with the sentiment that it's "pipe wood"...or furniture.
 
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Mr Bill said:
I agree with the OP that prudent thinking means straight/stronger wood is more appropriate for a heavier kicking gun….
BUT I can’t count the number of guns I’ve boughten because of the beautiful wood. They are totally irresistible and even though they have their quirks I’m fully prepared to take a chance and bring them home with me. I have the same attitude and policy with beautiful women, take your chances but bring them home. Gorgeous figures are meant to be admired and hand rubbed with oil…My name is Bill…and I am a Gunzlut.
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GMO or non-GMO oil ???
 
Having had stocks break that are pretty fancy to maybe not so fancy.


A good stock fixer will fix it have it stronger than it was and most likely no one could tell.
 
A beautiful wood stock is for a Sunday afternoon plinking gun, maybe a .22 or a milder centrefire like .223, something to handle relaxed at your own pace and share with your nearest and dearest. Serious competition or hunting requires something more mission-focused that may not get attention to beauty or careful handling.
 
Last winter was the nicest figured sock I built, but as said, it took a twist with its kitty corner grain flow from the action forward.

During the inletting, the cut out took on a 1/8” bow that I had to hand plane out before shaping. I fully suspect it will keep moving over time as well.

I will not build another stock with anything but straight grain, even if for someone else and their own blank.
 
I prefer the look of a nice tight straight grain to fully figured "pipe wood".

Same goes for engraving, cross hatch on parts you touch for grip, and simple arabesque will always be more appealing to me than art projects

I guess I'm just a simpleton
 
conor_90 said:
I prefer the look of a nice tight straight grain to fully figured "pipe wood".

Same goes for engraving, cross hatch on parts you touch for grip, and simple arabesque will always be more appealing to me than art projects

I guess I'm just a simpleton
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I think I’m a simpleton too….up until today I never heard the expression ‘pipe wood’ and I’m embarrassed to say it took me a couple of hours to understand what that really meant. And just when I thought I knew everything in the universe you guys slipped this one in. Thank you for enlightening me.
…pipe wood…hmmm sacrilege…..
 
old303 said:
A beautiful wood stock is for a Sunday afternoon plinking gun, maybe a .22 or a milder centrefire like .223, something to handle relaxed at your own pace and share with your nearest and dearest. Serious competition or hunting requires something more mission-focused that may not get attention to beauty or careful handling.
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I've gone he same way over me many yrs of gun use & enjoyment. Had a few nicely figured stocks on some 22's and big boar units that
served me well but in my .458 Herters U9, I kept my loads to mid power 45-70 levels to keep the stress level down on the wrist area.

Me 458 Herters U9 BSA.jpg
 
That's all well and good, but the stock 9n this 7 Weatherby hasn't moved a millimeter since 1961. So my guess if that it's not necessarily that figured stocks are weaker or otherwise inferior to straight grain, but it's critical that you know how to build and finish a wood stock properly.
 

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Bustercluck said:
Is that the plans in the background? Or is it unrelated?

I’m pretty excited to see this unfold. You do some very nice work. I hope you keep us posted with your progress
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Thanks bud! I will have a detailed build thread going on the spike camp platform for it, I may add one here if I get the time. Trying to have this one finished by the end of February for the salute to conservation in Pentiction.

Those drawings are Jerry Fisher prints, they’r stock dimensions he used, they make a good reference, and also make good wall art lol.

Barrelled action chambered in .280ai will be here this week, I’m excited to dig into it.
 
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