Shooting UK is your complete shooting resource. From gun reviews to shotgun licence and firearms certificate information, to clay pigeon shooting, game shooting, shooting lessons and gundog training.
An alternative for cheaper guns is beech, which has most of walnut's qualities but virtually no grain pattern.
By Mike George
Monday, 04 August 2008
Why is walnut the preferred wood for gun stocks - and are there any alternatives?
Technical
MIKE GEORGE says:
First of all, it is quite hard and dense. When properly seasoned it is also relatively resistant to warping and splitting.
The better samples also have a most attractive grain pattern which looks brilliant when finished by a craftsman.
It is also relatively widely distributed, with species which thrive in Europe and the USA.
An alternative for cheaper guns is beech, which has most of walnut's qualities but virtually no grain pattern.
Its natural colour is a sort of pale, pinky brown, which means that it is usually stained to a darker shade for use in gun woodwork.
I have also come across rifle stocks made of maple, while I understand the Russians made probably millions of military rifle stocks out of birch - and, goodness knows, there's enough of that in Siberia! I have also heard of myrtle being used.
I also once examined a big-game rifle stocked in an exotic African hardwood with natural black and yellow stripes.
It looked great but after more than 30 years I can't recall the name of the wood.
One of the main problems encountered when shooting up-close targets, a... Read more
Browning Heritage shotgun: The Browning Heritage Sporter shotgun is pr... Read more
This year’s British Shooting Show at Newark Showground, Nottingh... Read more
Shooting businesses are among a range of small companies in South West... Read more
A clay shooting event, in aid of a regional blood cancer charity, has ... Read more
Subscribe today from as little as £13.49 & give the perfect gift this Christmas.
Comments