Just got a new 85 Hunter. Haven't gotten to the range yet but will as soon as the scope arrives. The wood on it is very nice, but seems kinda dry compared to other stocks. Is it a good idea to treat the wood any more with something like teak oil?
I know that this is an old thread....but..... You can get Sako factory oil from BerettaUSA.com Not sure the size or price. Teak oil will work fine and is probably a little easier to apply than linseed oil. However, I use boiled linseed oil over stained oak for all types of applications and it works great. Using a cut of 3 pts boiled Linseed oil to 1 part turpentine seems to make it easier to work and a bit faster to dry. Need to rub the hell out of it.
And, I didn't find boiled linseed oil hard to apply? lol Just rubbed it on and in with a clean soft cotton cloth, then wiped off after letting it soak in a few minutes. Again, I didn't find it hard to use or deal with anyhow...
But if it's new, or did you mean "new to you?", but if new, why it doesn't have a good finish on the stock? I thought Sakos had decent finishes?
__________________ "My next door neighbors two dogs have created more shovel ready jobs then Obama has." - Gary Johnson
Hey yo Glockmeister - Actually boiled linseed oil isn't difficult at all. I had occasion to make and stain/finish a bedroom set for my Grandaughter a few years ago. I ended up using boiled linseed oil. The only reason for the cut, was it seemed to work a bit faster in both applying and buffing out, tho either would have been just fine. I think CaveRifle's comments were that the stock looked a little dull on his Sako. MOst of them do. I very much like the fact that on most of their rifles they have gotten away from the gloss. They are a bit dull, and a little work with any good oil will deepen them a bit.
Don't they normally have a clear coat finish on them? If so, might they then have to sand it a little to get the grain to open up to help except whatever they use?
Honestly, if it's new and I was unhappy with the stock finish, I'd be calling the manufacture just to see what they'd do, if anything?
I'd still like to see pictures of how the stock is, before they do anything, that is.
And I was just giving you a hard time FortyXDM. No worries. lol
__________________ "My next door neighbors two dogs have created more shovel ready jobs then Obama has." - Gary Johnson
The older Sakos came with gloss finishes. Most have a flat finish now to reduce glare. The BLO is about the best way to go. The 3:1 mix does ease application. Although some look like they are "dried out", the oil finish is there. Applying a drop of water to the buttstock will show you this.
__________________ I keep tellin ya Doc, I'm in pretty good shape considerin the shape I'm in !!
The older Sakos came with gloss finishes. Most have a flat finish now to reduce glare. The BLO is about the best way to go. The 3:1 mix does ease application. Although some look like they are "dried out", the oil finish is there. Applying a drop of water to the buttstock will show you this.
SwedeSteve: Thats right. My first Sako was a glossy Forrester in .243 with v glossy blueing. (1972) My Model 75 is oil (a bit dull) with matt blueing and matt blue scope. I still don't care for high gloss finish, but I guess some rifles (Weatherby) might not look the same. My brother's primary hunting gun is a BLR 1973 or so. (belgium) He had got a large ding in the stock several inches behind the grip. He talked to Browning then sent it in. They sent it back with gloss. He was not happy as this particular gun has great wood. He ended up stripping it and got it quite close to original......but put in a hell of a lot of work. There was an enclosed letter with instructions which was not returned, and they "decided" it wasn't there fault.
Don't they normally have a clear coat finish on them? If so, might they then have to sand it a little to get the grain to open up to help except whatever they use?
Honestly, if it's new and I was unhappy with the stock finish, I'd be calling the manufacture just to see what they'd do, if anything?
I'd still like to see pictures of how the stock is, before they do anything, that is.
And I was just giving you a hard time FortyXDM. No worries. lol
Glockmeister - In order to refinish a clear coat stock, you need to remove all the finish to bare wood. The stock will require restaining and then oil applied and worked. It is somewhat of a chore, but worth it for a stock that has nice wood. My brother owns a 1972 or 73 Belgium BLR with gorgous wood.(Not Browning like at all) Its a two part stock and he removed the forend and sent into Browning after talking with them. He included instructions. The rifle was originally finished with an oil finish. When he got the stock back, they had refinished with thick shiny gloss. He was not happy. They wouldn't fix it, so he ended up doing it himself. Turned into a pretty good chore...but now looks nearly as good as before.
And yes, Sako's do come in both oil and gloss. The oil finish is good, but not very polished. I have worked on my 75 some, and it does look better. It is however, only a middle of the road piece of walnut. But for me, that is faaaar better than any non wood stock. For the indifferent owner, they are practical, but I am fairly sure that I saw somewhere in the New Testament that stocks should be made of walnut.
Tom
